Cannabis Use in Pregnancy & Neonatal Outcomes

Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing, which is concerning. This rise may be driven by the assumption that if cannabis is helpful for certain health conditions, it must be beneficial, or at least harmless, more broadly. Unfortunately, this belief is incorrect.

It is also important to clearly distinguish between medicinal cannabis and recreational cannabis. They are not the same and should not be viewed or used interchangeably.

A large retrospective cohort study involving 661,617 women examined the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy on both maternal and newborn health. In this study, 1.4% of participants (9,427 women) reported using cannabis during pregnancy. The findings raise serious concerns.

Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Maternal Health

Cannabis use during pregnancy has been associated with adverse health outcomes for the mother. Despite common perceptions, cannabis - particularly when self-prescribed, is not inherently safe simply because it is “natural”.

Natural does not mean harmless. Medicinal cannabis, when prescribed appropriately, involves a comprehensive medical assessment and ongoing monitoring. Decisions around its use should be made in collaboration with a medical practitioner and, where appropriate, a qualified natural health professional. This is especially important when managing conditions such as pain or anxiety.

Self-prescribing cannabis or any treatment without professional guidance can be dangerous. While mistrust of the medical system can stem from past negative experiences, which is understandable, avoiding professional care and self-managing complex health issues may increase risk rather than reduce it.

It is also inappropriate to recommend or “prescribe” supplements or cannabis to friends or family. Without proper training, assessment and clinical oversight, even well-intentioned advice can cause harm or delay access to appropriate treatment.

Cannabis, Pregnancy and Newborn Outcomes

While medicinal cannabis may be an appropriate option for pain management in some non-pregnant women, pregnancy is different. Time spent in neonatal intensive care units offers a stark reminder that cannabis use during pregnancy is not safe.

Research consistently shows that cannabis exposure during pregnancy is associated with negative outcomes for both mother and baby. In the study referenced, cannabis exposure was significantly associated with:

• Preterm birth
• Babies being small for gestational age
• Placental abruption
• Increased need for neonatal intensive care
• A 5-minute Apgar score of less than 4 out of 10

These findings clearly demonstrate that cannabis should not be used as a remedy for morning sickness.

Managing Morning Sickness Safely

Morning sickness can be debilitating for some women, but cannabis is not a safe coping strategy during pregnancy. The potential risks to both maternal and infant health far outweigh any perceived benefits.

There are safer, evidence-informed ways to support women experiencing morning sickness. Dietary strategies, lifestyle modifications and carefully selected nutritional or herbal supplements may help reduce symptom severity and address underlying contributors.

Seeking support from a qualified naturopath can help you develop a personalised, pregnancy-safe treatment plan. This approach prioritises both maternal wellbeing and baby’s health and is a far safer alternative to self-prescribing cannabis during pregnancy.