The use of medicinal marijuana has been in the news for quite some time together with its potential to treat a whole range of ailments, including anxiety, muscle pain and nausea – symptoms that are commonly experienced by pregnant women.
With so many forms available such as tinctures, CBD gummies, CBD cream and CBD bath bombs, none of them has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
But the question that comes up is: Is CBD Oil Safe for Pregnant Women?
The answer is though CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant, it doesn’t seem to be addictive. But, at the same time, it can have some adverse effects on babies, and hence is not safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Possible Risks of Using CBD Oil for Pregnant Women
Often we hear that women become allergic to certain foods and drinks during pregnancy. During the normal days, these common foods and drinks are easily tolerated and do not seem to have any sort of harsh effects, but vice versa happens when they are pregnant. Several other allergens also act up only during pregnancy.
CBD is a well-tolerated substance however, one cannot determine how this substance will affect the baby growing within a woman’s womb. Till date, there does not exist any comprehensive research on healthy pregnant women and CBD. But this is sure that even the lowest dose of products aren’t considered safe during pregnancy.
This is because there is always the risk of your CBD oil containing THC. Even if present in traces, it could have quite severe effects on a baby’s body. The problems the child may suffer include defects in brain, stillbirth and issues with neuronal networks of an unborn child, infant’s cognitive development apart from other complications.
Nonetheless, CBD oil is a newly launched product with an unregulated market. Therefore, you can never be sure of the brand you’re using is screened for purity and is not contaminated with substances such as pesticides and heavy metals.
Effects of CBD on Fetus
From the research study it has been proved that when expecting mothers smoke or eat marijuana, the chemicals cross the placenta reach the fetus. Exposure to marijuana could disrupt the normal fetal brain development thereby increasing the risk of giving birth to small or even stillbirth baby.
Besides, there isn’t sufficient data to suggest CBD oil alone carries the same risks. This is because no one wants to experiment on pregnant women or an infant, due to the obvious risks. Also, there are not available sufficient research material to know how CBD interacts with other medicines taken by pregnant women.
Also, the chemicals that enter the body while taking CBD during nursing can pass onto your baby through breast milk. Another reason not to use CBD oil while nursing is that it could make you feel sleepy or slightly intoxicated.
Just in case, if you have used any CBD based products or consumed any CBD infused food prior knowing about your pregnancy, don’t panic. Inform your paediatrician!!
If you have been using CBD in the past for treating symptoms of any condition or ailment, your doctor can prescribe an alternative medication for the same. These medicines will be safe for both you and your unborn child.
Possible Benefits of Using CBD During Pregnancy
Motherhood is a wonderful experience, but anxiety and pain can often accompany. While a woman is pregnant, her body is naturally bombarded with different issues that make her physical health undergo many changes. So much so that these issues can create havoc on an expecting mother’s mind as well.
Morning sickness, issues with sleep while pregnant and so on are common problems faced by every mum – to – be. It’s easy to treat all these issues by using CBD oil. However, owing to the aforementioned concerns, it is impossible to know for sure if CBD will help or harm a pregnant woman or her unborn child.
Many expecting mothers do use CBD, while many others are tempted to do so. Well, if you want to use it, it is recommended to consult your respective gynaecologist and know the consequences.
Follow these simple steps to stay safe while using CBD during pregnancy:
- Consult your paediatrician; ask him about both the benefits and risks of using CBD during pregnancy – to both you and the fetus.
- Ensure the CBD product you choose to use does not contain THC, solvents or any contaminants. Only trust brands that make their CoAs public.
- Start with a very low CBD dose (as low as 5mg), just to be careful.
- Monitor all changes in your health. Any small reaction or change needs to be recorded to assess if you are being benefited or harmed
Views of Science about CBD and Pregnancy
So far, no research has been done to know the effects of CBD on unborn babies, mostly due to the obvious risks. Given the fact that quite a large number of people across the world are marijuana users, there will be some ill effects of THC on fetuses and newborns.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology gave evidence that THC negatively impacts the infant’s cognitive development when exposed to it during prenatal or perinatal stages. Also, the fetus runs the risk of stillbirths.
Another study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology gave evidence that CBD enhances the permeability of the human placenta barrier, thus increasing the risk of harmful substances entering the fetus and likely increasing the danger for the unborn child.
Nonetheless, there are other studies that seem to show some positive effects of CBD on the unborn child. As per the 2018 study, published in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, CBD prevented inflammation amongst pregnant rats and had a positive impact on the intestinal tract of the developing offspring.
Natural Alternatives to CBD During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body creates a warm, nurturing environment for your baby — and a cascade of uncomfortable symptoms for you. But, if you want to enjoy a drug-free pregnancy, while eliminating the anxiety and discomfort, follow the below mentioned natural alternatives to help yourself feel better:
Nausea – One surprising strategy to fight with nausea is to eat. Keep on munching smaller snacks and meals at regular intervals. Ensure that your stomach never gets completely empty. Keep plenty of food on hand. If you’re suffering from severe nausea and drug – free queasiness cures don’t do the trick, ask your doctor about prescription medication. And there is no evidence that marijuana in any form is helpful with morning sickness.
Insomnia – If you’ve already tried a glass of warm milk, bubble baths, foot massages so that you have a peaceful sleep while you’re pregnant, it’s time to turn to your doctor. Ask your doctor about over-the-counter or even prescription medications that are safe to take. Regardless, how exhausted you feel, don’t pop any sleeping pill or aid – including herb teas or “natural” supplements without consulting your doctor especially during this phase of your life.
Anxiety & Depression – This is a natural reaction for most women. Pregnancy makes a woman more emotional than usual. Surging hormones, your changing body, social isolation and lack of sleep together can make you feel worried, stressed out thus leading to anxiety and depression. Talk therapy, light therapy and making sure you take care of yourself can help alleviate your feelings. Ask your doctor to prescribe antidepressant medicines that are safe to use.
Carrying a baby in the womb and then caring for the newborn are intense experiences – both emotionally and physically. One must be careful during their pregnancy and nursing time.
Never ever pop any pill or intake any drug as safe and natural as cannabidiol oil without asking your doctor first. There are plenty of other ways to help you navigate the less pleasant side effects of pregnancy and the postpartum stage.
Community College. She's a contributing writer to cannabisherald.co as well as Content Marketing Expert & she’s writing about Cannabis since 2014. When not writing about cannabis, she enjoys playing Chess and hanging out with her dog Froski.
- Is CBD Oil Safe for Pregnant Women? - August 19, 2019
