Marijuana use during pregnancy has been on the rise in recent years. Research, however, has shown taking any form of marijuana is harmful to mothers and their children. This article will go over what happens when a mother uses marijuana during her pregnancy, how this can be harmful to the child and also the mother, and how you can improve your chances of birthing a healthy baby.
There are some pretty detrimental effects that can happen when a pregnant woman smokes marijuana while pregnant including low birth weight, poor health, addiction potential and cognitive impairments in the baby or future pregnancies.
Marijuana affects the brain development of the fetus, people born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy are more likely to have problems with memory and learning. Marijuana also lowers sperm count in men, so this can affect fertility and make complications when trying to conceive a child. If you are considering having children in the near future and you use marijuana, it may be beneficial for you to quit until after the baby has been born.
Is smoking marijuana during pregnancy harmful to a pregnant woman herself? Is it harmful to the fetus?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse research, women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy can cause a range of risks to their baby. The most common side effects that women face include low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth. Low birth weight can cause problems with a mother’s health for the rest of her life such as issues with chronic pain and arthritis, heart disease, and lung problems. A woman’s risk for premature birth increases by 10 percent every time she smokes marijuana. Even though the baby will not show symptoms of this problem, there is still not enough information yet about how long the effects of being exposed to marijuana in utero will last or how long it will take before they are no longer harmful.
Is it safe to smoke marijuana at any point during pregnancy? Is it more dangerous during a certain trimester?
Yes, it is unsafe to smoke marijuana at any point during pregnancy. Pregnant women who use marijuana can increase the risk of stillbirth and a fatal condition called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Women who use marijuana during the first trimester will have symptoms similar to those faced by all women when they are pregnant, such as nausea, fatigue and constant vomiting. Women who continue to smoke while they are pregnant will experience an increased amount of anxiety.
Is just taking CBD safe during pregnancy?
Not necessarily, CBD is a compound found in marijuana, and if it is taken during pregnancy the baby can be exposed to THC in the mother. Thus, pregnant women should not use any form of medical marijuana. Women who are worried about whether or not it’s safe for them to use CBD while pregnant can put their concerns at ease by considering a natural medicine that has been used safely throughout pregnancy. Hemp oil is made from hemp seeds and for this reason it does not contain THC or any other drug-inducing substance that may lead to problems during pregnancy.
If someone is taking medical marijuana before getting pregnant should they stop when they do become pregnant? Yes, women who are going to become pregnant should take a look at the state laws of their area to find out what the laws say about using medical marijuana while pregnant. There is no scientific research that has validated any side effects of using medical marijuana so it is recommended that pregnant women only use marijuana if there is a prescription for it from their doctor.
If you are thinking about being pregnant soon and you’re having troubles conceiving, some women consider trying CBD oil or smoking some cannabis flowers to give themselves and their baby the best chance at a healthy pregnancy. But always check with your physician first.
Should marijuana ever be used to treat severe nausea in pregnancy? If not, what are some better alternatives?
According to a recent study conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), while marijuana use during pregnancy was not associated with an increase in birth defects or premature birth, there is no evidence that it helps treat severe nausea.
Many women report using marijuana during pregnancy because of its many reported uses including appetite stimulation, pain relief, sleep aid, and relaxation. CBD oil should be avoided during pregnancy as it can contain any THC or other drug-inducing substance that may lead to problems for the fetus later on in life. There are many alternatives to treating severe nausea during pregnancy such as eating a small meal every two to four hours, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking B vitamins.
Is it safe to use marijuana while breastfeeding? What do we know about the effects on an infant?
Based on limited research and studies, it is not recommended that women smoke marijuana while breastfeeding because marijuana can be transferred to the child in breast milk. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that mothers avoid using marijuana while breastfeeding.
While there is very little information about the effects of marijuana on an infant, there are a large amount of studies and research regarding the effects on children who are exposed to marijuana while they are growing inside the womb. An infant can start to feel some of the short-term side effects as soon as thirty minutes after a mother uses cannabis or THC-containing CBD products. An infant can show symptoms for up to 24 hours after exposure.
What is most important for pregnant women to know about mairjuana use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding?
The most important thing for pregnant women to know about marijuana is that it can be passed on to the child in breast milk. Women should avoid using marijuana if they are going to become pregnant or if they are breastfeeding. Studies have shown that there is no long-term damage to the child from exposure to marijuana in the womb and those effects do not appear until after birth. There has been limited research on the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding but there is a large amount of scientific data regarding exposure of infants to marijuana while growing within the womb.
