Smoking Weed During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Pregnancy has most women feeling so uneasy that anything they eat upsets them. Most of them turn to almost anything to get their appetite back and kick their morning sickness.

Some women struggle with pre-baby jitters and are always in search of safe ways to calm their nerves. Some even turn to pot for anxiety or nausea or continue smoking as they did before conceiving, given that it is now legal in many states.

But is marijuana use as a remedy for morning sickness, nausea, and anxiety during pregnancy safe - or a dangerous trend that could potentially harm your fetus?

This post will help you understand the potential effects of weed during pregnancy as well as after your baby is born. But first things first:

What is Weed?

Weed is a type of drug obtained from Cannabis sativa. It has both recreational and medicinal benefits.

What expectant mothers apply to their skin, smoke, or eat affects their baby. Weed is among the many substances that can affect the health of a developing child.

People consume or smoke weed for various reasons. It can be relaxation, euphoria, or even enhanced sensory perception.

Where weed is legal, it can be purchased in-person in a dispensary, or online, and there are plenty of guides out there on sites like Herald Net to help people find a great website to order recreational weed from to be delivered directly to their door.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the active compound in weed. It can get to your baby during pregnancy if it crosses the placenta.

But sometimes, it can be challenging to determine the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy. Why? Because many women who consume weed also use other substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. As a result, it can be hard to determine which substance is causing problems.

Is Marijuana Safe During Pregnancy?

Medical experts and doctors don’t recommend the use of marijuana during pregnancy. However, this isn’t enough to eliminate misconceptions.

Some individuals think that because medical marijuana is legal in many states, the drug is also safe during pregnancy. Others believe that smoking weed is unsafe, but other forms of marijuana, such as edibles, won’t harm the fetus.

But this is far from the truth. A research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows marijuana use in any form can affect the growth and development of the fetus.

As mentioned earlier, marijuana contains THC, a compound with mind-altering properties that causes a “high.”

Marijuana use is also known to affect:

·         Memory

·         Body movement

·         Sensations, for instance, the appearance of colors

·         Mind judgment

Medical marijuana is legal for use in some parts of the US. Only a few countries have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Some people rely on medical marijuana in treating pain, nausea, and muscle spasticity.

Potential Effects of Using Marijuana During Pregnancy

Possible risks of marijuana use during pregnancy include:

  • Low birth weight
  • Stillbirth
  • Premature birth
  • Stunted growth
  •  Small head circumference

Potential Long-term Impacts On Kids Whose Mothers Used Weed During Pregnancy

Scientists and medical experts believe that weed usage during pregnancy can affect the brain development and behavior of the child. Children born to weed smoking mothers have shown poor results on memory, cognitive, and behavioral tests compared to other children. They’re also at a higher risk of having hyperactivity, inactivity, or impulse control problems.

There has also been a correlation between pot smoking in pregnancy and poor performance of the child in comprehension, math tests, and spelling.

Misconceptions About Marijuana Use and Pregnancy

Thanks to vape pens, many marijuana users are now turning from smoking to vaping. In this case, users inhale water vapor as opposed to smoke.

Many expectant women think that vaping or eating weed won’t harm their baby. But this is not the case. These forms of marijuana still contains the active ingredient, THC, and can still affect your baby.

What About Medical Marijuana?

One of the biggest contributors to the confusion surrounding marijuana is that it remains in a legal grey area. Medical marijuana is legal for use in some parts of the US. Only a few countries have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Some people rely on medical marijuana in treating pain, nausea, and muscle spasticity.

With the increased number of states legalizing medical marijuana, many pregnant women are turning to marijuana for medicinal purposes.

However, it is not easy to regulate marijuana use in pregnant women. Why? Because there are no:

·         Standard formulations

·         Standard dosages

·         Standard delivery systems

·         The Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana use during pregnancy

What if I Smoked Weed Before Getting Pregnant?

If you smoked weed before getting pregnant, you have nothing to worry about. There is no evidence that marijuana consumed before getting pregnant will affect your fetus. However, it is known to hinder your efforts to get pregnant, so it’s advisable to stop smoking weed and cigarettes if you’re trying to get pregnant.

Wrapping Up

We would not recommend the use of marijuana during pregnancy as it can lead to early labor, complications during pregnancy, and development effects on the fetus. It also affects your child’s growth and development right through adulthood.

Kristi Cathey
 

Hi everyone! My name is Kristi Cathey and I’m glad you found your way to my blog. I am a mother of 3 beautiful angels. This blog was created in order to share my personal experiences in baby care and general health care for pregnant women. If you'd like to get in touch with me, please contact me by sending me an email via kristicathey.intelligentmother@gmail.com. Welcome to Intelligentmother.com

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