Why Avoiding Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Matters
Effects on the Mother
Marijuana use in any form – edibles, oils, smoke, vapor – during pregnancy can alter the mother's state of mind, which can lead to poor decision making about her health and her baby’s health. Your ability to choose what is best for you and for your baby is impaired, which can lead to unintended and serious consequences. Women who use any marijuana during pregnancy may also have a higher likelihood of developing anemia, a lack of red blood cells, which can cause excessive fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Before Your Baby Is Born
Growth & Development
Just like the food you eat or the beverages you drink, any drugs – cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, opioids, etc. – pass into your unborn baby’s body. Marijuana contains nearly 500 chemicals, including THC, the chemical that causes the “high.” Using marijuana during the first month of pregnancy can cause the baby to be born with part of its brain missing. Additionally, women who use marijuana during pregnancy have a 2.3 times greater risk of stillbirth.
After Your Baby Is Born
Breast Milk
Anything you choose to take into your body can be passed to your baby through your breast milk, including THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. THC is stored in breast milk for up to two weeks. Chronic heavy use of marijuana results in higher levels of THC in breast milk than in the mother’s blood, and extended exposure to THC can affect your baby’s brain development. Marijuana use can also reduce the mother’s milk supply, making it difficult to adequately feed your baby.
Growth & Development
Using marijuana during pregnancy can cause your baby to be very sick at birth – the baby may be too small or premature, which makes it more likely he or she will need to be cared for in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU).
Infants whose mothers use marijuana can seem sluggish and weak and have poor feeding patterns. Research suggests that the baby’s brain and motor development can be negatively affected, leading your baby to have difficulty responding to you, increased trembling and fussiness, and high-pitched crying. You may find it difficult to soothe, feed, and comfort your baby.
Difficulty in School
Did you know that the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy can affect children into adolescence and beyond?
Teenagers, whose mothers used marijuana during pregnancy, can struggle with behavior problems when they get to school-age. Your child may act out and get into trouble at school and home. Children who were exposed to marijuana during their mother’s pregnancy are also more likely to use marijuana as young adults and to start using earlier than other teens.
Secondhand Smoke & CBD
Even secondhand smoke – whether it’s from marijuana, crack, methamphetamine, or cigarettes – can harm your baby. Smoke can cause your baby to cough, have trouble breathing and have nervous system problems, including seizures.
Even CBD products may contain other contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, and fungus that could be harmful to a mother and her baby. (1)
It’s Never Too Late!
Talk to Someone
No matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, quitting marijuana use now will benefit both you and your baby. Contact your healthcare provider for support.
Please call Sacramento County, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services (916)874-9754.
(1) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Breastfeeding and Special Circumstances. CDC.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/vaccinations-medications-drugs/marijuana.html