Whether you're pregnant or not, it's essential to know the facts about marijuana and pregnancy. A growing number of women use marijuana during their pregnancies, which means more babies may be exposed to this drug. Some studies suggest a link between marijuana use during pregnancy and developmental issues in infants later in life, such as memory problems, attention issues, and problem-solving skills.
When pregnant, it's essential to be aware of the dangers of marijuana use. Pregnant women who use marijuana are more likely to have issues with their pregnancy, such as a low birth weight baby, early delivery, or miscarriage. Marijuana can affect the developing brain of a fetus and cause problems as they grow up.
Some studies suggest that babies exposed to marijuana during pregnancy have issues with memory, attention, and problem-solving skills later in life. In one study of infants who were exposed to cannabis during the first trimester of pregnancy (7% of cases), researchers found that they had lower scores on tests measuring verbal learning at age seven than those who were not exposed at all or those who were exposed after birth (i.e., during the third trimester).
Babies exposed to marijuana during pregnancy have been found to have an increased risk of respiratory issues, including asthma and chest infections. In one study, researchers looked at data from more than 1,600 pregnant women who were asked about their use of marijuana during pregnancy. The results showed that babies exposed to marijuana before birth were twice as likely to develop wheezing by age five compared with unexposed children.
If you plan on using marijuana while pregnant or breastfeeding, you must avoid doing so!
Babies exposed to marijuana during pregnancy may have increased depressive and anxiety symptoms and decreased attention span.
This is a serious concern for many parents, as it can lead to lifelong learning problems for their children.
If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, talk with your doctor about how best to avoid using marijuana.
Breast milk is a source of nutrition for babies. It contains nutrients, hormones, and antibodies that help them grow and develop.
But marijuana is not good for babies because it can cause problems such as learning difficulties and developmental issues. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the chemicals in marijuana that gets into your bloodstream when you smoke or eat it - and then into your breast milk if you're breastfeeding.
Babies who are exposed to THC may have learning problems later on in life--even when they haven't been exposed to other drugs or alcohol while they were growing up!
The bottom line is that pregnant women should not use marijuana. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, there are many other ways to treat your symptoms besides using marijuana. It would be best to talk to your doctor about different options.
If you have used marijuana and are pregnant, don't panic. You can still have a healthy baby. Talk to your doctor right away.
Sources:
"The Effects of Marijuana on Fetal Development." MGH Center for Women's Mental Health, 29 Mar. 2017, womensmentalhealth.org/posts/effects-marijuana-embryo-development/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2023.
Shukla, Samarth, and Harshit Doshi. Marijuana And Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Outcomes. 1st ed., StatPearls Publishing LLC, 2022.
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