5 Things To Know About Cannabis And Pregnancy

5 Things To Know About Cannabis And Pregnancy

Using Cannabis While Pregnant - 5 Things To Know from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Cannabis use during pregnancy is easily the most controversial subject when it comes to the plant. Even if you support legalization and believe in its medicinal properties, it’s so easy to judge an expectant mother who uses cannabis as a bad mom.

But is it really all that bad? If it is, then why are more pregnant women than ever using cannabis? There are also many anecdotal reports of mothers using cannabis while pregnant – with no side effects on them or their baby. Unfortunately, because cannabis remains to be a federally illegal drug, studies about prenatal cannabis use are few and far in between, and inconsistent at best.

Here’s what we know so far about cannabis and pregnancy:

1. Cannabis has been used by expectant mothers since ancient times. Historical texts from 9th century Persia reveal that cannabis juice seeds were used as a remedy to treat pregnancy pains, migraines, maintain healthy pregnancies, and prevent miscarriages. One of the most comprehensive studies analyzing the effects of cannabis on pregnancy was conducted in the 80’s, where the researchers compared the offspring of Jamaican women who consumed cannabis and those who did not. The researchers followed up with the children when they reached four and five years of age, and they found no differences between the children in both groups when it came to IQ testing, behavioral performance, and school attendance.

2. Cannabis has been used since millennia to treat labor pain. This isn’t just limited to one part of the globe, but rather a practice that was seen in the Middle Eastern countries as well as Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Africa, and Islam nations. Cannabis was used in place of epidurals at a time when these medicines haven’t been developed yet. Epidurals are typically used together with opioids to help mothers deal with the pain of child birth, but they come with side effects such as temporary nerve damage, low blood pressure, loss of bladder control, headaches, slow breathing, itchy skin, and more.

3. Current studies on prenatal cannabis use reveal conflicting results. We have to keep in mind that the cannabis we smoke today is so different from what our ancestors used. Cannabis growers use pesticides and other chemicals, and obviously if we don’t want these toxins in our food, we don’t want them in our bodies especially when we’re carrying a baby. Perhaps the quality and potency of cannabis today has a role to play, but there have been reports showing that prenatal cannabis use may have poor pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, shorter pregnancies, cognitive changes, and poor school outcomes. Much more information is needed to verify these results, as there is also a likelihood that other factors may have an effect on these outcomes.

On the other hand, a 2015 study published in Scientific Reports revealed that infants whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy may have superior cognitive development.

4. Cannabis has shown to be effective in treating postpartum depression. Postpartum depression affects 1 in every 7 mothers, and can begin manifesting anytime within the infant’s first year. Postpartum depression is not something to be taken lightly, because after all the physical and emotional changes that a mother goes through, adding hopelessness, guilt, and sadness to the mix can Studies show that when THC is consumed in low doses, it has powerful antidepressant properties. CBD is also an excellent alternative for mothers looking for a safe way to treat postpartum depression without getting high.

5. Expectant mothers are turning to cannabis to treat morning sickness. In extreme cases, morning sickness can develop into hyperemesis gravidarum wherein women can lose as much as 5% of her pregnancy weight. Hyperemesis gravidarum can also increase the risk for developing thyroid and liver problems. A study looking at 84 women who used cannabis prenatally turned to the herb for treating morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum. They found overwhelming evidence for using cannabis as 92% of the respondents claimed that cannabis was either “effective” or “extremely effective” in treating morning sickness.

While we need more conclusive evidence, pregnant women who want to use cannabis during pregnancy should use their own judgment call. Talk to supportive doctors who are well-versed in cannabis, and look for a support group if needed. Do the research until you feel confidently that the decision you are making is the correct one for you and your baby.