Can you use marijuana while pregnant? What research says about smoking weed or taking edibles during pregnancy

• Prenatal marijuana use may increase the risk of stillbirth, preterm delivery, and childhood behavioral issues.
• THC can be passed through breast milk if you use marijuana while breastfeeding.
• If you use medical marijuana, ask your doctor about alternative options during pregnancy.

With a growing number of states legalizing marijuana, smoking or ingesting weed is becoming more mainstream — even among pregnant people.

A 2021 study found that rates of pregnant women who screened positive for marijuana increased by 25% during the pandemic. According to the study, an estimated 8% of people use marijuana during their pregnancy.

Research regarding the implications of using weed while pregnant is limited, but the science so far shows it poses enough of a risk to make doctors wary.

Here is what you need to know about the potential harms of using weed while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Can you smoke weed while pregnant?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) don't recommend marijuana use of any kind during pregnancy due to possible risks for both the parent and baby.

More human research is needed, but so far, studies have found that the chemicals in marijuana can reach the fetus by crossing the placenta, says Kimberly Langdon, MD, an OB-GYN with Medzino, a telehealth provider.

Potential risks to the fetus if you use marijuana during pregnancy include:

• Smaller birth weight: A large 2016 review found that infants exposed to cannabis in utero had lower birth weights than infants who were not. A low birth weight increases the risk of complications, like difficulty regulating body temperature and infections.
• Stillbirth: A 2014 study found cannabis use — either on its own or in combination with smoking and illicit drugs — during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth.
• Preterm delivery: A 2022 review found a significant increase in the risk of preterm delivery (when a baby is born before 37 weeks) for women exposed to marijuana during pregnancy.

• Anxiety and hyperactivity: A 2021 study found that children born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were more likely to feel anxious and display hyperactive behavior. The children also had increased levels of cortisol, one of the main hormones associated with stress.

• Obesity and high blood sugar: A small 2022 study found that children exposed to cannabis in the womb were more likely to have higher blood sugar and fat mass years later, compared to children who were not exposed.

• Autism: A 2020 retrospective analysis of Canadian births connected cannabis use during pregnancy with an increased risk of autism. The study authors say the research is imperfect, but that the results further the case against marijuana use during pregnancy.

• Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): A 2016 review found that babies who were exposed to cannabis during gestation were more likely to need to go to the NICU than babies who were not.

Risks to the pregnant person if they smoke during their pregnancy include:

• Breathing problems: Shortness of breath is a common symptom of pregnancy. Smoking marijuana (or any substance) can lower your body's oxygen level, thereby exacerbating difficulty breathing.
• Falling: Marijuana can make you feel dizzy and may also alter your sense of judgment, which can increase your risk of falling. Falls in the second or third trimester can be dangerous to both the parent and baby. A fall, especially on the abdomen, could cause contractions, placental abruption, or a loss of amniotic fluid.

It's important to note that larger, more robust studies are needed to nail down just how dangerous marijuana use is during pregnancy.

The data so far suggest enough risk that pregnant people should steer clear of marijuana, Langdon says. This is true even if you've been prescribed medical marijuana, says Zaher Merhi, MD, an OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and the founder of Rejuvenating Fertility Center.

Can you take edibles while pregnant?

Research has shown that chemicals in weed can reach the fetus whether the marijuana is smoked or consumed through an edible or tincture.

This is why groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics caution against any type of marijuana use during pregnancy.

Can marijuana help with pregnancy-related nausea?

Some people claim that marijuana can help with severe nausea during pregnancy. In fact, a 2018 study found that pregnant people with severe nausea and vomiting were four times more likely to use marijuana than those without a severe nausea diagnosis.

Still, the risks of smoking marijuana while pregnant outweigh the benefits even in these cases, Merhi says. Alternatives that could help with nausea during pregnancy include:

• Taking a vitamin B supplement
• Eating frequent, smaller portions
• Avoiding fatty or spicy foods
• Prescription medication, like an antiemetic pill intended to stop severe nausea and vomiting

If nausea and vomiting is a problem for you during pregnancy, talk with your health care provider about treatment options.

Can you use marijuana while breastfeeding?

In order to limit potential risk to the infant, breastfeeding parents should not use marijuana or marijuana-containing products in any form, says Merhi.

The current data available regarding the safety of marijuana use while breastfeeding is limited. However, we do know two chemicals in marijuana — Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) — have the potential to affect the neurodevelopment of an infant. THC, in particular, can be passed on to a breastfeeding infant through breast milk, Merhi says.

Data on the effects of CBD exposure to an infant through breast milk are limited and conflicting, but we do know CBD products may contain other contaminants, like bacteria or pesticides that could be dangerous to the parent and baby, Merhi says.

While more research is needed, the science so far shows enough of a risk that breastfeeding parents should not use marijuana while nursing, Merhi says.

How to stop regular marijuana use safely

If you are a regular weed user, you may consider doing a marijuana detox to clear your system of THC. During a weed detox, you'll quit using marijuana completely to clear it from your body. This can take 30 to 90 days, depending on factors like how often you smoke and how much body fat you have.

It's also important to note that stopping regular weed use can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms including:

• Sleep disturbance
• Anxiety
• Decreased appetite
• Irritability

Staying hydrated, eating healthy, and getting regular exercise can help you cope with withdrawal symptoms.

If you have concerns about stopping marijuana use during pregnancy, or if you use medical marijuana to treat a specific condition, talk with your health care provider. They may be able to suggest alternatives until you are done with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Additionally, talking to a mental health professional can help you find tools to cope. You can also try finding other ways to self-medicate, such as taking a relaxing bath when you feel stressed.

Insider's takeaway

Research is still emerging on the long-term effects of marijuana use during pregnancy for both pregnant people and their babies, but so far, studies show potential risks of lower birth weights, stillbirth, and behavioral problems.

Additionally, chemicals in marijuana can show up in breastmilk. While data so far are not substantial enough to draw definitive conclusions about its effects, the ACOG and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend steering clear of marijuana both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.