Is Marijuana Safe During Pregnancy? Here’s What the Experts Say! Healthy Pregnancy

Legalizing marijuana is a hot topic these days. If you’re expecting a baby, you may be wondering if marijuana is safe during pregnancy. The answer is no. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), “When marijuana is smoked or eaten, the chemicals reach the fetus by crossing the placenta. Research is limited on the harms of marijuana use during pregnancy. But there are possible risks of marijuana use, including babies that are smaller at birth and stillbirth. Using marijuana also can be harmful to a pregnant woman’s health.” For those reasons, the ACOG recommends that pregnant women not use marijuana.

If you use medical marijuana (prescribed by a doctor), the answer is still no. The ACOG says that, “Medical marijuana is no different than non-medical marijuana. It is not safer. It has all of the harmful effects of non-medical marijuana. It is important to let your OB-GYN or other health-care professional know if you are using medical marijuana and to discuss other treatments you can try that are safe to use during pregnancy.”

The effects of marijuana during pregnancy is still being studied. According to the ACOG, here’s what researchers and doctors think now:

• Marijuana exposure may disrupt normal brain development of your unborn baby.
• Babies whose moms used marijuana during pregnancy may be smaller at birth.
• Research suggests an increased risk of stillbirth.
• Some studies suggest that using both marijuana and cigarettes during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth.

If you’re not pregnant yet but plan to try, it’s a good idea to stop using marijuana while you’re trying to conceive. “The effects of marijuana on the fetus may occur even during the first trimester,” states the ACOG.

Mom-to-be, marijuana can put you at a risk for falls because it could make you dizzy, alter your judgment, lower your oxygen levels, hurt your lungs and possibly harm your unborn baby. So it's a good idea not to light up for everyone’s sake.

For help, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at samhsa.gov. SAMHSA has a 24-hour treatment referral line: 800-662-HELP (4357).