Smoking Marijuana While Pregnant Damages Developing Brains
Created by Drew | : Brain Damage, Brain Studies
Research has proven that women who want to continue using recreational drugs while pregnant will lean towards marijuana because they believe that it won’t hurt the baby like harder drugs will. Just because marijuana hasn’t been proven to cause birth defects in comparison to alcohol causing fetal alcohol syndrome, doesn’t mean that it is safe to use during pregnancy. Most people know that it is probably not a good idea to be smoking cannabis while pregnant with a baby because you put them at risk of developmental problems.
Effects of Smoking Marijuana While Pregnant
It is a well known fact that inhaling smoke of any kind keeps the unborn baby from receiving the oxygen that it needs. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy and smoking tobacco are both considered dangerous and discouraged during pregnancy. The baby can’t receive its proper amount of blood supply when the expectant mother inhales any kind of substance. Lack of oxygen before birth can lead to the baby coming into the world much smaller and weighing less. Low birth weight babies develop more difficulties after being born such as infections, jaundice, feeding problems, respiratory problems, low blood sugar, body temperature regulation problems, bleeding into the brain, and eye problems.
Mixing Marijuana With Other Drugs
It is common for some people to mix marijuana with other harmful substances. The mother may unknowingly subject her unborn baby to other dangerous chemicals that have been added to the marijuana. Marijuana can be ingested by the baby when drinking the mother’s breast milk. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the principal additive in marijuana and can be 8 times more potent in breast milk than it is in the mother’s blood. If a mother has used marijuana during her pregnancy or while breastfeeding, it can cause the baby to be jumpy, irritable, and fussy. The baby affected by the mother’s use of marijuana may experience a slower development of motor skills, although research has shown that this hindrance may correct itself later in life. It would be wise to exercise caution and stop smoking marijuana during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Drinking Alcohol While Pregnant
Since we have gotten your attention, we want to add that you should absolutely stop drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes during pregnancy or while nursing and put your baby’s needs before your own. If you feel you must have a drink or a cigarette, then it is recommended to put off breastfeeding for 2 to 3 hours after consuming the alcoholic beverage and to keep the second-hand smoke far away from the baby.
Pregnant Marijuana Studies
It is important to be aware that most of the studies done on the effects of marijuana to an unborn baby have been confusing and incomplete. Some of the factors that make it difficult to distinguish the effects of marijuana are from other various factors including alcohol consumption, drug use, living conditions, family relationships, and mother’s the temperament. The bottom line is that it is better to be safe than sorry by stopping the use of harmful chemicals, like marijuana, during pregnancy. Although it will require a drastic change to your habits, you will be proud to know that you stopped smoking cigarettes, using marijuana, and consuming alcohol in order to insure that your child will be born healthy. Always try to avoid killing brain cells even if it means being more cautious than you normally would.
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I can definately see the clinical point of view however- i am supposed to be on 4 medications for bi-polar,anxiety disorder,and insomnia. I refuse to take the meds because when i stopped i got pregnant. I cant balance my mood without some help so, i smoke marijuana. I am less stressed, and still plan to quit in the second tri-mester. I would think that marijuana would be safer than xanax and tranquilizers~what do you think?
i compleatly agree. i am pregnant with my second child and very recently stoped smoking marijuana. it has only been a yr since i had my first born, and my hormons never really got back to normal befor i got prego again. i also deal with manic depression. weed balances me out in a less harmful way to my body and my baby. i recently discussed this with my dr. and he agreed that smoking pot is definatly the healthier choice than taking anti-depressants. unfortunatly it is still illegal and with that dhs becomes involved. why is it that somthing extreamly harmful to your body and you baby is legal (such as anti depressants) yet the healthier alternitive is illegal??
The main study that people cite as evidence for marijuana causing poor attention in children was conducted after the children were already born, meaning that how the kids were raised was just as likely of a cause for their apparently poor attention; a much longer, more comprehensive, more controlled study that started at the pre-natal level found (and this is a direct quote) “absolutely no difference” between children born to weed-smoking mothers and non-weed smoking mothers. There really isn’t a complete agreement about this but most studies find that marijuana use isn’t bad for babies. Tobacco is harmful for reasons other than just depriving the baby of oxygen, and even then complications due to tobacco use tend to involve slightly premature births or babies that weigh slightly less than the average.
Also I’m so sick of seeing “It is common for some people to mix marijuana with other harmful substances” (one article I read specifically fingered “PCP” as a common drug to “cut” weed with)—this happens SO rarely (especially in today’s world where some states actually have licensed weed growers) that it’s not even worth mentioning; plus the kind of person who would consider smoking weed while pregnant is NOT the kind of person you need to be warning about this.
I agree with both of you. I know this article is older (along with the posts) but still, I want to put my voice out there on this. I am 6 months pregnant right now, and I smoke marijuana regularly. Last year I was diagnosed with Boarderline Personality Disorder, Depression/ Anxiety, and Anorexia. I have been given Zoloft to treat it all, but (before I knew I was pregnant) I was struggling with the Anorexia, and the Zoloft made me sleepy. I decided that I wasn’t going to take the Zoloft (I would rather be able to walk to work without feeling like I was going to pass out). I quit the meds (which I have been told to re-start as I am at higher risk for postpartum depression) and just stuck to Marijuana. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to eat, because I always feel sick before I eat (Anorexic brain). I wouldn’t be able to stay mellow (which believe me and my partner, that’s something that needs to remain). I don’t over do it though. One toke in the a.m. And then I eat and maybe two or three more throughout the rest of the day(including bedtime). The reason why I wanted to get my opinion voiced (even if noone ever reads this) is due to the fact that one of my partner’s friends is contantly making remarks suggesting that my baby isn’t going to come out healthy and is going to be born with a brain defect or a disability. It really really bothers me. I have had all the prenatal tests done and my baby is doing just fine! I am at normal weight for a person as far along as I am. All my tests have come back normal. The baby’s heart beat is always great. I’m just tired of people coming into my house, smoking Marijuana in front of and with me and then turning around and talking to me like I’m some junkie. So far, I’ve discovered more GOOD things about smoking Marijuana while pregnant than I have discovered BAD. Marijuana is prescribed to so many people for so many things BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS! I think that smoking a bit of Marijuana so that we may cope with morning sickness and eating disorders while pregnant is way better than starving oneself and an unborn child. Just a thought.
They say smoking weed can cause infertility, low birth weight, early birth, withdraws and spontaneous abortion among other things… Here’s what I have to say.
Before I started smoking I had a hard time conceiving and when I finally did I had two miscarriages I started smoking MJ every now and then just to help with emotional problems do to the miscarriages(I do NOT agree with antidepressants as I witnessed someone put a gun to her head while on them), and conceived within a few weeks. The night I conceived was the last time I smoked until I was at least 3 months along] Before I was trying to have a kid I smoked a pack of cigs a day and didn’t eat well. At a month and a half I found out my baby had something called Gastroschisis a congenital defect characterized by a hole in the anterior abdominal wall through which the intestinal contents freely protrude. Because of this I had to visit my Dr’s twice a month during the first 7 months and weekly after that.
Now comes the interesting part of this story. I started having serious morning sickness about 2 months in, my Dr gave me 3 prescriptions for my morning sickness, all of which not only did not work but made me sicker. Not to mention the side effects for those drugs are terrible. [do some reading on Reglan(the second drug my Dr gave me). It will scare you.] I tried every home remedy known to mankind and nothing worked. Finally one night after my 9th trip to go throw up one of my coworkers suggested Marijuana. Much to my surprise the research I did was mostly in favor of it and the risk I was already taking by not being able to eat or drink anything was worse then that of Mj so I decided to give it a shot. As it turned out Marijuana was the only thing that worked.
People say if you love your baby you wouldn’t smoke weed but what if the only reason you smoke is so you can eat enough for your baby to live? Is that the act of a selfish mother?
Taking the chance on a drug test is indeed worth my baby’s life. The condition my baby had causes early birth and low full-term weight… My baby came a month early at almost 6lbs,
had she been full-term she would have toped 8lbs! She had an apgar of 8/9 and was in the nicu for 3 weeks. I’m pretty sure the Dr’s and nurse’s who were constantly watching her would have noticed had she had any withdraw. I’m not saying it’s right to do if you only wanna get stoned but I think people should remember that NOT everyone has a good or even semi bearable pregnancy.
If they happen to have had back problems before, just think what its like eight and a half months along, not to mention Hyperemesis Gravidarum(basically responsive vomiting to Anything you put in your mouth, anytime of day) which lasted me though my entire pregnancy, then add the acid reflex and heartburn and you have perfect misery… On top of all this I had serious depression throughout my entire pregnancy
Imagine, your back hurts so bad that you can barely stand but half your time is spent hunched over a toilet puking up stomach acid or half way digested food, which makes the heartburn and reflex bad enough to bring you to tears. On top of that the contractions from vomiting make the back pain worse too… Plus you’re dehydrated from throwing up so you have headaches.
I’m thankful God gave us the perfect remedy for every one of these problems. I had to smoke through most of my pregnancy and my baby is perfect! The condition she had if caused by anything, was caused by smoking at least a pack a day and not eating right for 2 years before getting pregnant. Although unconventional I believe Marijuana was a huge contributing factor to my daughter being as healthy and happy as she was and is!
On a different note I wanted to share that while pregnant I never drank, didn’t smoke cigs, quit drinking anything with caffeine, started eating healthy And besides the crap my Dr gave me didn’t take anything stronger then Tylenol and Tums.
Niki, my story nearly echoes yours (with the exception of having a diagnosis of generalized anxiety with paranoia), it’s eerie. I’m currently 9 weeks pregnant and smoke a few bowls a day only to eat and sleep. I would also like to make it clear that before I was aware of my pregnancy i was a HEAVY pot smoker, 6-10 cigarillos a day, i averaged about an ounce every 3-5 days depending on various circumstances. I talked to my doctor about something to be able to work (i work long shifts, and he knows i smoke) i was given a cream that causes cardiovascular defects when used in the first trimester. WHAT?!?!?! I was completely honest with doctor about my marijuana use, and was assured it doesn’t cause birth defects or mental retardation. He told me it wasn’t a free pass to smoke it up, but just so as to not cause unessecary anxiety. So far everything has been completely healthy yet my boyfriend’s family insists my child is going to come out “with holes on the side of it’s head, mentally retarded, and have birth defects”. DON’T LISTEN TO THEM. We know our bodies, and yes it goes against the norm and challenges the bandwagons that everyone seems so eager to jump on. A good study to look up is one done by Melanie Dreher, and it’s one of the few unbiased studies out there. More people need to get informed on this, and actually READ the studies. The negative studies out there? Marijuana paired with cigarettes. Marijuana paired with alcohol. We all know the studies done on tobacco and alcohol have yielded horrific results. Why is it after this long they have no definitive results on marijuana?
You shouldnt smoke or do drugs period while pregnant unless prescribed by your doctor.Im only 19 years old and eight months pregnant and i know better. Just because you smoked with your first child doesnt mean your guarenteed a full healthy baby the second time. I love smoking just as much weed as the next pot smoker because it relaxes me when im stressed.( before i got pregnant) but, when i found out (even though it wasnt planned) i was i completely stopped. I knew the dangers i was putting my child in. Doctors should know better than to tell you its not going to harm your child. It might not affect it while your preg. but think about the long term effects it could possible have later on. Just something to think about.
I do not agree that smoking pot during pregnancy is safe in any way. My grandson was born with autism and my daughter in law smoked the entire pregnancy.(with approval of her prenatal doctor), At least thats what she told us. I also know of a young man born with fetal alchol syndrome (his mother drank her entire pregnancy) what the hell is wrong with people who believe that doing any of these behaviors is okay. I had morning sickness as woman have had for many years. I like the excuse that smoking pot is ok because i had sever morning sickness, WELCOME to the world of pregnancy, think of the baby and stop being so damn selfish and immature
Okay folks, I am a public health RN that visits high prenatal and postpartum families. Reality time, if you are smoking weed because of previous mental illness diagnosis are you receiving much needed counseling as well as self medicating with substances that pass to your baby? I am thrilled that you have all had positive outcomes and your children are great. To be honest with you all, I don’t care if you smoke weed, smoke tobacco products, drink diet coke or intake to much coffee, you are all passing these substances to your developing infant. I also assume all of the moms who smoked for various reasons will stop after the birth of their infant, as it would no longer be needed. FYI….Yes I also had hyperemesis, and was hospitalized multiple times, my baby was healthy and well over 7lbs. It sucked!! I know how bad a pregnancy can get. Be honest with yourself, using any substance can impact yourself and your child. Also please seek help if depression becomes a problem after baby comes. Lastly in my state, positive urine drops for weed is an automatic hotline to Protective Services, way overboard in my view, and most of the time no case is officially opened, but that is just one less stressor a new mom needs. Be honest with yourself on why you use and what options are out there. Good luck and happy babies!
I completely think that smoking marijuana whilst pregnant is an excuse. There is absolutely no reason for it.