Weed (or hemp) is a drug derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. It’s used for recreational and medicinal purposes.
What a mom-to-be puts on her skin, eats, and smokes affects her
baby. Weed is one substance that can potentially impact a developing baby’s health.
Weed (also
known as marijuana, pot, or bud) is the dried portion of the Cannabis sativa plant. People smoke or eat weed for
its effects on the
body. It can cause euphoria, relaxation, and enhanced sensory perception. In
most states, recreational use is illegal.
Weed’s active compound is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This compound can cross a mother’s placenta to get
to her baby during pregnancy.
But weed’s effects during pregnancy can be difficult to
determine. This is because many women who smoke or eat weed also use substances
like alcohol, tobacco, and other
drugs. As a result, it’s tough to say which is causing a problem.
What’s the prevalence
of weed use in pregnancy?
Weed is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy.
Studies have tried to estimate the exact number of pregnant women who use weed,
but results vary.
According
to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 2
to 5 percent of women use weed during pregnancy. This number goes up for
certain groups of women. For example, young, urban, and socioeconomically
disadvantaged women report higher rates of use that reach up to 28 percent.
What are the potential effects of using weed while pregnant?
Doctors have linked weed use during pregnancy with increased
risk for complications. These may include:
- low birth weight
- premature birth
- small head circumference
- small length
- stillbirth
What are the potential effects of using weed after a baby is
born?
Researchers mostly study the effects of weed use during
pregnancy on animals. Experts say exposure to THC can affect a baby’s brain
developmentTrusted Source.
Babies born to mothers who smoke weed during pregnancy don’t
have serious signs of withdrawal. However, other changes may be noted.
Research is ongoing, but a baby whose mother used weed during
pregnancy may have problems as they get older. The research isn’t clear: Some
older research reports no long-term developmental differences, but newer research
is showing some problems for these children.
THC is considered
a developmental neurotoxin by some. A child whose mother used
weed during pregnancy may have trouble with memory, attention, controlling
impulses, and school performance. More research is needed.
Misconceptions about
weed use and pregnancy
The growing popularity of vape pens has led weed users to switch
from smoking the drug to “vaping.” Vape pens use
water vapor instead of smoke.
Many pregnant women mistakenly think vaping or eating weed
doesn’t harm their baby. But these preparations still have THC, the active
ingredient. As a result, they can harm a baby. We just don’t know if it’s safe,
and therefore is not worth the risk.
Several countries have legalized weed for medical use. It’s
often referred to as medical marijuana. Expectant moms or women wishing to
become pregnant may wish to use weed for medical purposes, like relieving
nausea.
But medical marijuana is difficult to regulate during pregnancy.
According
to the ACOG, there are no:
- standard dosages
- standard formulations
- standard delivery systems
- Food and Drug Administration-approved recommendations
regarding use in pregnancy
For these reasons, women hoping to become pregnant or who are
pregnant are advised against using weed.
Women can work with their doctors to find alternative
treatments.
Doctors recommend against using weed during pregnancy. Because
types of weed can vary and chemicals can be added to the drug, it’s even harder
to say what’s safe. Plus, weed use has been associated with increased risk for
problems during pregnancy, in the newborn, and later on in a baby’s life.
If you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, be honest
with your doctor. Tell them about your use of weed and any other drugs,
including tobacco and alcohol.
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