What happens if pregnant women smoke weed

Marijuana use is one habit we recommend you do give up. The two are miles apart. Nevertheless, marijuana can still endanger an unborn, highly vulnerable baby. Other, safer options do exist to help with morning sickness and pain.

Ask your gynecologist for their recommendations. More information on the effects of marijuana on babies: CDC. Free Confidential Consultation: Or Technically, yes. But only technically. Photo by Grav on Unsplash.

Here are quotes from several highly-rated medical research sources: DrugAbuse. Some pregnant women are more likely to use marijuana use than others, according to study findings published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. Researchers found that, compared with women who did not use marijuana while pregnant, women using marijuana during pregnancy were younger, had lower educational levels and used alcohol more often.

Unmarried pregnant women who were diagnosed with anxiety and depression within the past year were also likely to use marijuana, Oh added. The findings were from a population-based cohort that included nearly , children whose mothers smoked marijuana. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine analyzed several systematic reviews and studies. They found that mothers who smoked marijuana, either before or during pregnancy, had a significantly increased risk for anemia.

There was mixed evidence whether these women were more likely to experience precipitous labor and require manual removal of the placenta. Women who used marijuana at least once a week before and throughout pregnancy gave birth to offspring that were approximately However, the organization also warned that the data could not be adjusted for tobacco use and that the results became statistically insignificant when the estimates were pooled. The National Academies National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine also found that marijuana use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for a shorter gestational age and neonatal ICU use.

Offer alternatives , be compassionate. Ellie Grossman, MD, MPH, primary care lead for behavioral health integration at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, said it is important to not to refer to marijuana as illicit or illegal when treating pregnant women who use the substance. This ensures that the woman will stay connected to the health care system and get appropriate prenatal care.

Some women report using marijuana to treat severe nausea associated with their pregnancy; 99, however, there is no research confirming that this is a safe practice, and it is generally not recommended. Women considering using medical marijuana while pregnant should not do so without checking with their health care providers. Animal studies have shown that moderate concentrations of THC, when administered to mothers while pregnant or nursing, could have long-lasting effects on the child, including increasing stress responsivity and abnormal patterns of social interactions.

Human research has shown that some babies born to women who used marijuana during their pregnancies display altered responses to visual stimuli, increased trembling, and a high-pitched cry, which could indicate problems with neurological development.

Very little is known about marijuana use and breastfeeding. Please check out this survey for Vox. The NAS report drilled down into other health effects during pregnancy, like whether the babies of moms who used marijuana are more likely to wind up in the NICU or experience sudden infant death syndrome and cognitive and academic achievement challenges later in life.

Even so, Young-Wolff said. There are a few reasons why the research base on marijuana in pregnancy is so limited and inconclusive. The THC content in weed has also shot up dramatically , which means it may be riskier to use while pregnant. The studies out there also tend to be small, without enough statistical power to accurately detect relationships; they often rely on self-reported data, which is flawed when it comes to substance use.

Finally, the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance — the same legal and regulatory league as heroin — and that means researchers need to jump through all kinds of hoops to run studies. The National Academies called for these restrictions to be relaxed so we can get a better understanding of the effects of marijuana in all kinds of different vulnerable groups.

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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. More pregnant women are using marijuana. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Trends in self-reported and biochemically tested marijuana use among pregnant Females in California From to