Is Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Safe?
When a person becomes pregnant, their whole life changes. Not only do they need to prepare to welcome a new life into the world, but they must make changes to their diet and habits. It’s common knowledge that alcohol, smoking cigarettes, certain medications, and some foods should be avoided during pregnancy.
But what about cannabis? Most people live in a , either recreationally, medically, or both. Since the increasing legalization of cannabis products, .
Some pregnant people may turn to cannabis to deal with unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea, heartburn, or body aches. However, a recent University of Utah ǿմý study found that cannabis use during pregnancy increased the likelihood of unhealthy outcomes by 1.3 times.
Understanding the Risks
The cannabis exposure , which included more than 9,000 pregnant people at eight medical centers across the U.S., found that cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of these unhealthy outcomes:
- Low birth weight
- Medically induced preterm birth
- Stillbirth
- Pregnancy-related blood pressure disorders
The study also found that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the drug’s “high,” can cross the placenta and expose the fetus.
While some uncertainty still exists around long-term outcomes, other concerns surround the neurodevelopment of the fetus when exposed to cannabis use throughout a pregnancy.
“Neurodevelopment is not something that happens only in early stages of pregnancy,” says Torri Metz, MD, MS, lead researcher on the study and an OB/GYN at University of Utah ǿմý. “Fetuses have a lot of neurodevelopment even into the third trimester, so ongoing use of cannabis could certainly affect that. We also do see problems with attention later in life with babies who were exposed to cannabis in utero.”
Safer Alternatives
Pregnant people who are tempted to use cannabis products should know that alternatives can help their symptoms without putting baby at risk for negative outcomes.
If you have a fever or general body aches while pregnant, acetaminophen is safe to take. If you’re experiencing nausea, your doctor might recommend Zofran or Diclegis.
For anxiety and stress management, try the following:
- Exercise: Even just a short walk around the block or a few minutes of stretching can relieve stress.
- Mindfulness: Meditation and yoga are safe and effective ways to reduce anxiety.
- Therapy: Seeing a licensed mental health professional can help you learn safe ways to cope with stress during pregnancy.
- SSRIs: If the above methods aren’t working, your doctor can prescribe you an SSRI (i.e. Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa). These are considered safe to take during pregnancy.
“There’s a perception that since cannabis is natural, it wouldn’t cause harm,” Metz explains. “But a lot of different options for nausea, anxiety, and depression are highly studied and safe for use during pregnancy. That’s why it’s really important for patients to have an open conversation with their health care provider about why they’re using cannabis. There are so many safer alternatives.”
Additional Support Is Available
If you regularly use cannabis and become pregnant, stopping early is best.
“Even if you had use in the first trimester, stopping as soon as you can is going to minimize the effects on the placenta and neurodevelopment,” Metz says.
If you are worried you have cannabis use disorder or any other substance use disorder, there are that can help you move forward so you can have a healthy pregnancy.
The Substance Use and Pregnancy-Recovery, Addiction, and Dependence (SUPeRAD) Clinic at University of Utah ǿմý specializes in individualized, non-judgmental care for pregnant and postpartum people who are also battling substance use disorder. It’s the first clinic of its kind in the Mountain West and has treated 1,300 pregnant patients since its opening in 2017.
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