Smoking loose-leaf During Pregnancy: Any Repercussions?

While pregnant women smoking weed has become a common sight, medical professionals have reiterated the need for this group of women to shun the use of the substance regardless of the circumstantial research available to back up their stance.

According to a survey conducted on pregnant women in California, marijuana is the preferred substance of choice. And the consumption of the substance has continued to gain momentum in different communities.

Well-being

There abound a lot of erroneous judgments in this space, but medical professionals discourage the use of marijuana by pregnant women.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the progress a fetus makes in the womb can be retarded by marijuana consumption regardless of the form in which the mother takes the substance.

An expert in Cannabinoid pharmacology at Indiana University’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dr. Heather Bradshaw, opines that the intake of consumption of marijuana could have far-reaching effects regardless of the quantity a person takes.

Medicinal use of marijuana can be seen in the treatment of extended muscular contraction, retching, and easing painful sensations.

Probable adverse effects

The probable harmful effects of the use of marijuana are:

Lower birth weight

A link has been identified between marijuana use during pregnancy and low birth weight according to multiple studies on pregnant women and marijuana use.    

The problems with lower birth weight are numerous including, breathing issues, flawed homeostasis, and abnormal oxygen supply.  

While there was a significant link between marijuana and lower birth weight in several of these studies, a few of them didn’t follow the same trend.

Marijuana and cigarette use by pregnant women have been identified as possible factors responsible for lower birth women according to a study of prenatal marijuana exposure and behavior in children conducted in 2017.  

 Threat of stillbirth

In 59 hospitals in the US, women that suffered stillbirth were involved in a 2013 study carried out by the National Institute of Health.  

Unfortunately, both marijuana and tobacco are often used together and the researchers believe this could have affected the result since tobacco has been heavily linked to problems during pregnancy.  

Issues surrounding research in this area

A large number of ethics-related challenges especially as it concerns pregnant women and their fetus is a spanner in the wheels of progress of contemporary profound research in this area.  

Those responsible for the research would be held accountable if the babies of these pregnant women are born with birth defects or developmental challenges.

This has forced researchers to beam their searchlight on women that have claimed to use marijuana while pregnant.

If the dictates of research conducted in 2017 and onwards is to be believed, below are some probable effects of marijuana use:

• A higher number of stillbirths
• Risk of neurological development
• Undermined fetal growth
• More deliveries don’t get to term  

Nauseating during pregnancy and Marijuana use

One of the more popular symptoms suffered by most pregnant women is nausea alias morning sickness.

Vaping and Edibles

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says all forms of cannabis use can be detrimental to the health of pregnant women despite the absence of the unwholesome substances that make tobacco intake dangerous.

In all this, one fact has stood out: these substances have several chemicals including the notorious THC. However, experts are still clutching at straws regarding the effects these substances have on the wellbeing of a fetus.  

Current medical standpoint

The medical community disproves of the use of marijuana by pregnant women.

Medical experts would prefer pregnant women don’t use the substance at all. This is coming on the heels of studies claiming that marijuana has nothing to do with the effects suffered by fetus though there are also studies that connect the use of marijuana during pregnancy with a fetus that is born prematurely with low birth weight and a higher chance of a stillbirth.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a-round-the-clock treatment line which women in the U.S can take advantage of.