Fiza Arooj You might be searching for Is Cannabis Safe for Pregnant Women. People all around the world use cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. What a mom-to-be put cannabis on her skin, eats, and smokes affect her baby. Cannabis may potentially impact a child’s health.
Cannabis and cannabis-derived products are flourishing in the market. Various types of products have become increasingly popular due to blissful wellness benefits. However, all these products raise questions and concerns of the consumer. And if you are pregnant or wish to be a mom, you might have even more questions about the baby’s safety.
Before diving into the depth, let’s discuss few facts about cannabis.
What Is Cannabis?
Cannabis is the plant of the family Cannabaceae with high content of THC. THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that causes mind-altering and euphoric effects. Apart from cannabis, marijuana is another cannabis plant that contains varying THC content. However, Hemp is one of the most well-tolerated cannabis plants that contain a low concentration of THC.
Most people around you may suggest taking hemp-derived CBD products due to health promises about CBD. However, FDA has not regulated any CBD product safe for pregnant women. In contrast, FDA wants you to know that there may be potential risks by intaking cannabis products.
What’s the Prevalence of Cannabis Use In Pregnancy?
Pregnancy brings lots more complications related to mood and perception. Some primary pregnancy symptoms include stress, mood swings, fatigue, headache, and much more. Pregnant women struggle with pre-baby jitters and try to figure out ways to calm down nerves.
Some women tend to ease pregnancy symptoms by intaking Cannabis into their lifestyle. Also, some women continue to smoke cannabis as before.
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), 2 – 5% of pregnant ladies use cannabis. Also, this number varies greatly for certain groups of women.
What Are the Potential Effects of Using Cannabis While Pregnant?
The natural extract of the cannabis plant contains more than a hundred cannabinoids. The most primary cannabinoids are CBD & THC that have potential health benefits. In comparison to these advantages, THC has euphoric and paranoic effects.
Doctors have linked some complications that can be a result of smoking cannabis.
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Small length
- Stillbirth
- Small head circumference
All these complications relate to cannabis use vary according to dosage and how you take cannabis. The younger pregnant ladies who cannot manage the pregnancy symptoms smoke weed and other products.
What Are the Potential Effects of Using Cannabis after Baby Birth?
The drug test cannabis shows that THC & CBD remains in the blood after seven days of smoking. If you are a breastfeeding mother and want to use cannabis for stress relief, you might be wrong. The effects of CBD & THC can cause brain development.
These effects may cause serious disorders in babies as they get older. However, research is ongoing on Is Cannabis Safe for Pregnant Women.
THC has mind-altering effects and can develop neurotoxins. A baby whose mother smoke during pregnancy may develop memory problems in the future due to THC psychoactive effects. But still, more research is necessary.
Misconception – Is Cannabis Safe for Pregnant Women?
Some women take cannabis or its products due to misconception. With the growing popularity of cannabis products, women tend to use an alternative for smoking. They prefer vape pens, edibles, and tinctures, while all these products contain THC too.
Most pregnant ladies think that vape pens can not harm the baby’s growth. All these alternative products have THC as the active ingredient. So, if you are pregnant or expecting, make sure to check your diet and intake of substances like Cannabis.
What About Medical Marijuana?
In several states, medical marijuana is legal for some health conditions. Some expecting ladies and wishing moms use medical marijuana to reduce stress symptoms and nausea.
However, it’s difficult to regulate medical marijuana during pregnancy.
According to ACOG, there is no:
- Standard dosage
- Standard formulation
- And, standardized delivery system
- FDA – Food & Drug Administration regulations
Due to these circumstances, hoping moms and pregnant ladies are advised to stop cannabis use. If you are curious about pregnancy symptoms, you can talk to your doctor for alternative treatments. Never ease your nerves with home remedies or cannabis if you are expecting.
Is Cannabis Safe for Pregnant Women – The Takeaway:
Doctors recommend against cannabis use during pregnancy. If pregnancy brings some slight complications, it brings happiness too. So, don’t be overwhelmed with mood swings and nausea.
Pregnancy symptoms are temporary!
And, it’s difficult to say what’s safe. Also, cannabis comes with various after-birth complications for the baby. Be honest with your doctors if you are pregnant or wishing to become a mom. If you are using cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco, make sure to tell your doctor.
Have a healthy pregnancy with a joyous baby!
