Weed and pregnancy

[eblindauer]

so im not a smoker my self nor am i pregnant at the moment but I know of some women who smoke when they are pregnant and wanted to know what others thoughts are on it, and how would you approcatch someone who is smoking weed while they are obviously pregnant?

[averlee]

Very few accurate studies have been done about marijuana during pregnancy. The studies that have proven that it causes harm to the fetus are skewed in that they have low-income women participating who may smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take other drugs during pregnancy as well as marijuana. The studies from Jamaica, that seem to indicate that marijuana during pregnancy has benefits for the mother and baby, are skewed because they represent a population of mostly upper-middle class married women with more income, education, and better nutrition than average.

In states where medical marijuana is legal, doctors might prescribe it for a pregnant woman to relieve nausea, insomnia, poor weight gain, hemorrhoids, nightmares, back pain, pelvic pain, anxiety, or panic attacks. In many cases it is safer than pharmaceutical medications, for example, Preparation H may cause high blood pressure during pregnancy.

I personally would not mention, approach, or try to intervene on a pregnant woman smoking marijuana. Similarly, women who have a hard time quitting smoking cigarettes, or learning to eat healthier, don't deserve my judgement. We all need support, we all have hard decisions to make, many of us have some imperfect habits and vices. We all have to balance wanting the best for our baby with doing what we can to survive...even if that means clinging like crazy to not-so-great habits like drugs.

[HawaiianBlesing]

well said!

[kriket]

very much the "noneya" catagory.

[philomom]

No way! Drugging an unconsenting person (your fetus) is NOT okay by me.

[Pavlovs]

Originally Posted by averlee 

Very few accurate studies have been done about marijuana during pregnancy. The studies that have proven that it causes harm to the fetus are skewed in that they have low-income women participating who may smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take other drugs during pregnancy as well as marijuana. The studies from Jamaica, that seem to indicate that marijuana during pregnancy has benefits for the mother and baby, are skewed because they represent a population of mostly upper-middle class married women with more income, education, and better nutrition than average.

In states where medical marijuana is legal, doctors might prescribe it for a pregnant woman to relieve nausea, insomnia, poor weight gain, hemorrhoids, nightmares, back pain, pelvic pain, anxiety, or panic attacks. In many cases it is safer than pharmaceutical medications, for example, Preparation H may cause high blood pressure during pregnancy.

I personally would not mention, approach, or try to intervene on a pregnant woman smoking marijuana. Similarly, women who have a hard time quitting smoking cigarettes, or learning to eat healthier, don't deserve my judgement. We all need support, we all have hard decisions to make, many of us have some imperfect habits and vices. We all have to balance wanting the best for our baby with doing what we can to survive...even if that means clinging like crazy to not-so-great habits like drugs.

[sosurreal09]

Originally Posted by averlee 

Very few accurate studies have been done about marijuana during pregnancy. The studies that have proven that it causes harm to the fetus are skewed in that they have low-income women participating who may smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take other drugs during pregnancy as well as marijuana. The studies from Jamaica, that seem to indicate that marijuana during pregnancy has benefits for the mother and baby, are skewed because they represent a population of mostly upper-middle class married women with more income, education, and better nutrition than average.

In states where medical marijuana is legal, doctors might prescribe it for a pregnant woman to relieve nausea, insomnia, poor weight gain, hemorrhoids, nightmares, back pain, pelvic pain, anxiety, or panic attacks. In many cases it is safer than pharmaceutical medications, for example, Preparation H may cause high blood pressure during pregnancy.

I personally would not mention, approach, or try to intervene on a pregnant woman smoking marijuana. Similarly, women who have a hard time quitting smoking cigarettes, or learning to eat healthier, don't deserve my judgement. We all need support, we all have hard decisions to make, many of us have some imperfect habits and vices. We all have to balance wanting the best for our baby with doing what we can to survive...even if that means clinging like crazy to not-so-great habits like drugs.

I mostly agree with you except for the bolded. MJ is one thing but "clinging like crazy to not so great habits like drugs" is not ok in my book. IDK if you meant whatever drugs they are doing or if you strictly meant MJ. I have seen some babies seriously not ok from herione, crack, or cocaine.

[Jaimee]

Some articles you might find interesting:

http://mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/medical-marijuana-a-surprising-solution-to-severe-morning-sickness

http://www.mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/use-of-marijuana-during-pregnancy

[kriket]

Originally Posted by philomom 

No way! Drugging an unconsenting person (your fetus) is NOT okay by me.
 

Are alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, heck even sugar "ok" because they are legal? There is even strong evidence that these legal things are bad for developing fetuses. However, no real evidence on MJ. Even though people have been using it for thousands of years also. too much grey area for me to put on my judging hat IMO.

[philomom]

Originally Posted by kriket 

Are alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, heck even sugar "ok" because they are legal? There is even strong evidence that these legal things are bad for developing fetuses. However, no real evidence on MJ. Even though people have been using it for thousands of years also. too much grey area for me to put on my judging hat IMO.

Well, I don't do alcohol, caffeine or nicotine when I'm pregnant. Heck, I don't smoke at all. Sugar can be naturally occurring in some foods. I avoided all "over the counter" drugs while pregnant and had a drug free birth.

Thousands of years of pot-smoking? I doubt it.

It truly upsets me when parents participate in illegal activities...... especially those that might harm their children.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by philomom 

Well, I don't do alcohol, caffeine or nicotine when I'm pregnant. Heck, I don't smoke at all. Sugar can be naturally occurring in some foods. I avoided all "over the counter" drugs while pregnant and had a drug free birth.

Thousands of years of pot-smoking? I doubt it.

It truly upsets me when parents participate in illegal activities...... especially those that might harm their children.

Okay, but it's not illegal (for medical purposes) everywhere and for those suffering from extreme nausea which puts them in the hospital and pretty much forces them to get on anti-nausea meds like zofran (cat B) and phenergan (cat C), which often only work slightly, which is worse?  I agree that we cannot judge that.  For recreational use?  Well, I don't agree with it, but I would not go up to strangers and say something.  I would be shocked if they didn't already know there could be a risk involved.  If it were a friend I probably would ask if they would like more information about the possible risks and if they would like help finding a healthier substitute or support during this time.
 

[miami mommy]

My mom smoked pot regularly while she was pregnant with me and I wouldn't intervene if I saw someone doing the same thing now. I came out plump and healthy and I don't think it had any effect on me, but of course I'm just one data point, so that's not an endorsement or anything. I just think this is a MYOB issue. What I'm really grateful for is that even though my mom was smoking pot, she was eating healthy and abstaining from alcohol. My grandmother (mom's mom) smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol proudly through all of her pregnancies and my mom and her siblings all have serious health issues/birth defects most likely because of it. Why alcohol is legal and pot is not baffles me, but that's a whole different conversation...

[philomom]

Originally Posted by miami mommy 

My mom smoked pot regularly while she was pregnant with me and I wouldn't intervene if I saw someone doing the same thing now. I came out plump and healthy and I don't think it had any effect on me, but of course I'm just one data point, so that's not an endorsement or anything. I just think this is a MYOB issue. What I'm really grateful for is that even though my mom was smoking pot, she was eating healthy and abstaining from alcohol. My grandmother (mom's mom) smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol proudly through all of her pregnancies and my mom and her siblings all have serious health issues/birth defects most likely because of it. Why alcohol is legal and pot is not baffles me, but that's a whole different conversation...

Ah, the old "my mom did it and I turned out okay" argument.

Well at MDC we hold a lot things dear that our parents would have scoffed at like not spanking, not CIO, baby led weaning, and not cutting our son's penis.

[msmiranda]

It's not something I would do personally, but I would not say anything.  I had a friend who I know smoked while she was pregnant with her daughter (probably to help with morning sickness though I never talked to her about it to find out for sure), and her daughter is a healthy 7 year old now.  (smoked mj that is, not cigarettes, which I would be inclined to say something about).

[Hykue]

Originally Posted by philomom 


Thousands of years of pot-smoking? I doubt it.

I'm curious what makes you think that this is unlikely.

[MsFortune]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

Okay, but it's not illegal (for medical purposes) everywhere and for those suffering from extreme nausea which puts them in the hospital and pretty much forces them to get on anti-nausea meds like zofran (cat B) and phenergan (cat C), which often only work slightly, which is worse?  I agree that we cannot judge that.  .
 

Agreed - zofran and phenergan have known risks and don't work. Pot does get rid of nausea very well. No known negative effects. For me, would be an easy choice.

But I didn't get nauseated while pregnant so.

[Snugglebugmom]

I wouldn't approach anyone about it. I generally try to mind my own business, and I try to keep in mind that we are all doing the best we can with the means we have at our disposal. If I see a parent smacking their kid senseless, that's a different matter. But with things like smoking, drinking, anything that is a physical and/or mental addiction, I tell myself that it is so very easy for me to judge based on what I see, but that I do not have all the information and that I should probably keep my harsh judgments to myself. *shrugs* Just my two cents, of course. 

[dashley111]

Is nobody here going to cop to smoking pot to help with severe nausea?  Fine, I will.  Judge me as you may, but I hardly had run of the mill morning sickness.  I had hyperemisis.  I spent weeks 5-7 in the hospital, being given constant IV fluids because Im severely allergic to PHernergan and Compazine.  I still threw up all day, every day.  I lost so much weight that eventually the doctor recommended an abortion- which I declined.  I was eventually sent home to get dehydrated enough to miscarry or come back and get more IV fluids.  I will tell you what, my daughter owes her life to medical marijuana.  And yes, it was medical.  Prescribed by a physician, and used under medical supervision.  Think what you want, but I would absolutely say here is a huge difference between recreational use of MJ while pregnant and actual medical use of marijuana.  

[Italiamom]

Perfectly legal in my state for those with a prescription.  I would consider it like any other prescription drug for myself and probably exercise caution during pregnancy unless it was absolutely necessary (like for managing pain or nausea).  I would CERTAINLY choose MJ over a host of other drugs commonly prescribed to pregnant women.

As for "how would you approach someone who is smoking weed while they are obviously pregnant?"  I wouldn't.  Despite the need of some to police the decisions of others, I wouldn't consider this to be a battle worth fighting.

Edited by Italiamom - 4/13/11 at 4:55pm

[greencarnation]

I am 22 weeks and I have smoked since before I got pregnant.  I have done TONS of research, which is hard as there is very little non-biased data.  It was amazing for morning sickness, and helps with aches and pains, as well as my emotional/spiritual health.

As to, "drugging a non-consenting person", I am on Effexor with my PDOC and midwives' blessing, and that has not been studied much and can cause withdraw after birth.  I think this is the best choice for us, as I have depression and OCD.

Pot is as safe as chamomile in pregnancy, maybe safer.  It causes no ill effects, and might even have benefits.  

Stress in pregnancy is a real concern, and with my issues and the way our life is, I am under a lot.  If a harmless plant can help me lower that, then I am going for it!

We all make choices in out pregnancies.  One of my midwives drank two glasses of wine a day with her last child.  I wouldn't do it myself, but I respect her right to decide what is safe for her baby.