As cannabis regulations and attitudes have changed, an increasing number of individuals, including pregnant women, are allegedly consuming marijuana daily or occasionally.
Medicinal cannabis and marijuana delivery are now legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, recreational cannabis (marijuana) usage is legal in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
What The Research Discovered
Pregnancy has more restrictions than any other time in life. Mothers should take additional measures to ensure the health of themselves and their developing infants. While the professional recommendations for cannabis usage during pregnancy are clear, mothers should suggest or consume cannabis on a case-by-case basis.
According to previous studies, some women use cannabis to supplement conventional therapies to address pregnancy-related symptoms such as morning sickness or other health issues.
Pregnant women may want to continue using medicinal cannabis for a variety of reasons. Many use cannabis to address severe health problems, including pain, seizure disorders, migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and morning sickness. Others may use cannabis to alleviate anxiety problems worsened by pregnancy, either with or without prescription medicines.
The most frequent applications for cannabis during pregnancy, according to Canadian research, were to address a lack of appetite, general discomfort, sleeplessness, anxiety, sadness, and tiredness.
Even though the Committee on Obstetric Practice advises against using cannabis during pregnancy, survey data shows that usage is rising.
More women may be ready to disclose their cannabis use to their physicians or midwives. As a result, although current figures seem to be considerably higher than historical figures, previous figures may likely underestimate the number of women who have taken cannabis during pregnancy for years.
The findings revealed that most pregnant women do not use cannabis, and those who do it do so primarily for nonmedical reasons rather than for medical reasons. Physicians need to spend more time talking to patients about cannabis use during pregnancy to ensure that women understand both the medical necessity and the dangers.
The University of Nevada researchers believe that the negative development impacts observed in pregnant women who use cannabis may be related to chemical components present in tobacco and cannabis smoke.
Although individual studies show the dangers of cannabis use to unborn children, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s systemic review found limited evidence of a statistical link between cannabis use and pregnancy and postpartum outcomes.
- There is little evidence between maternal cannabis smoking and pregnancy problems for the mother and neonatal ICU hospitalization for the child.
- There is strong evidence between maternal cannabis use and decreased child birth weight.
- There is little data to support or deny a statistical link between mother cannabis use and bad outcomes in children.
Benefits of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
Although health care professional organizations have said that pregnant women should not take cannabis during pregnancy, a growing number of doctors are aware that they may use it safely and successfully for specific illnesses. On the other hand, these proponents do not dismiss the possibility of negative consequences from the study. Before providing a suggestion, they analyze particular circumstances and consider the risks and rewards.
For example, a pregnant woman who has been using cannabis to manage anxiety may want to keep using it to avoid exposing her infant to high levels of stress, resulting in a kid who is more prone to stress and anxiety. Stress during pregnancy may raise the odds of having a preterm or low-birth-weight baby, including changes in brain development. Researchers from England discovered that infants delivered to moms with high-stress levels had less white matter growth in their brains. They conclude that excessive stress is not recognized or treated as often as it should be. Mothers should give greater attention to their mental health to maximize the baby’s brain development.
Similarly, even if she has never used cannabis before, a pregnant woman suffering severe morning sickness may be encouraged to try using cannabis to control it. In some instances, nausea and vomiting may cause the infant to get fewer nutrients, resulting in intrauterine development retardation and low birthweight.
Cannabis’ antiemetic effects may be a way for a pregnant lady to control her food intake better and nourish her baby. Women who have been taking cannabis to treat otherwise untreatable illnesses, including migraines, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome, may put their health at risk if they stop using it, which may impact their kids’ development.
Medical Marijuana Use During Pregnancy
Because there are more significant health concerns connected with smoking cannabis than with other means of administration, most practitioners advise pregnant women who use cannabis throughout their pregnancy to look into alternatives. Vaporization, tinctures, and edibles can provide particular cannabinoids without exposing the mother or infant to combustion byproducts. You can ask your local dispensary or weed delivery in Los Angeles for recommended tinctures, edibles, and vapes.
Benefits of Cannabis Use During Breastfeeding
Mothers may use cannabis to treat chronic diseases, anxiety, and sleep problems during breastfeeding, just as they did throughout pregnancy. Most healthcare professionals oppose the use of cannabis while breastfeeding for any reason; nevertheless, there isn’t enough study to know if it’s safe or not. One thing is sure: everything else in a new mother’s life will decrease breastmilk production quicker than stress and worry. As a result, cannabis usage may be a viable option for women worried about their breastfeeding production.
Conclusion
Although there is data to support both sides of the debate about cannabis usage during pregnancy, comparing the research is challenging since it is fragile on both sides.
However, some cannabis activists think that this is because the advantages of cannabis usage during pregnancy are often ignored owing to medical culture and a lack of financing.
While there is still much to understand, national recommendations advise pregnant women to refrain from using cannabis before and throughout pregnancy.
Until then, experts will have to collaborate to decide the best course of action based on the existing data and the circumstances.
The existing research on cannabis usage during pregnancy is inconclusive. However, research is sparse, and the bulk of studies have focused on establishing the risks of marijuana use during pregnancy rather than identifying any possible advantages. As a result, cannabis practitioners must be aware of both the dangers and benefits and have open and honest discussions with patients who have used marijuana before becoming pregnant or who are contemplating doing so during pregnancy.
