Cannabis, Marijuana, THC, and Pregnancy
According to data from national surveys, marijuana use by pregnant women has more than doubled in the past two decades. This is a troubling trend, as THC use during neonatal and postnatal periods has been linked to numerous negative health outcomes for infants. Coupled with the fact that the average marijuana today has a THC content that far exceeds averages from the past (with joints up to 7x as strong, and THC concentrates reaching potencies up to 25-30x that of a 90s joint), it’s critical that pregnant women understand the risks before they expose their unborn child to THC in-utero.
Is it safe to consume marijuana during pregnancy?
There is no controversy about it: the unanimous consent in the medical literature that it is clearly harmful to the unborn fetus to use THC products during pregnancy. Complications include:
2.3x the risk of stillbirth
Increased chance of preterm birth
Physical changes to the brain of the fetus that leads to poorer outcomes at 12 months
Lower birth weight
Smaller head circumference
Cognitive development issues affecting memory, learning and behavior
Greater chance of developing ADHD later in life
Needing the newborn to be admitted to the NICU for stabilization
Despite all this, as noted above data shows the rate of pregnant women using THC products continues to rise. This is due in part to the marijuana industry: in a 2018 study, 70% of marijuana dispensaries recommended first-trimester pregnant women use marijuana for nausea.
Is it safe to consume cannabis after giving birth?
This is unfortunately an increasing issue, as recent research has shown that the trend of marijuana legalization and commercialization has boosted both preconception and postpartum marijuana use rates, as well as use during pregnancy itself. That said, we have significantly less information about this than for neonatal exposure, but all signs point towards it being unsafe for nursing mothers. Multiple studies have found that THC does pass into the infant through breast milk, and the studies we do have demonstrated motor impairment at 12 months, as well as a strong potential for altered brain development.
The general consensus is that, given that this is a growing behavior of concern, collecting data on the impact of THC on infants through breastmilk is critical to providing evidence-based recommendations to the public.
Is it safe to consume cannabis BEFORE pregnancy?
There are increased risks to fertility, children, and parents if hopeful mothers and fathers are using marijuana prior to conception. Research has identified that pre-conception marijuana use can result in:
Fertility problems in men, including lowered reproductive hormones, reducing testicular size, sperm morphology, and sperm motility (movement speed).
Marijuana use by the male was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
Up to 80% increased chance of postpartum depression, which affects both the mother and the care of the child.
Increased that the child will exhibit behavioral problems (aggressive and/or rule-breaking behavior)
Taken all-together, a vast amount of research points towards the fact that marijuana and pregnancy are a very bad combination in terms of the health of the pregnancy and of your new baby. It may seem tempting to use THC products to help calm nausea or nerves, but in doing so you may be consigning your child to challenges that last long into the future.
Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, currently expecting, or recently welcomed a child into the world, staying clear of cannabis gives your child the best possible chance at health and success.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6582258/
Source: ACOG
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