Recent research has revealed a worrying trend among pregnant women in the United States.
While the dangers of alcohol during pregnancy are well-known, a growing number of women are now using marijuana, which may pose serious risks to their unborn children.
An analysis conducted by National Medical Services Labs in Horsham, Pennsylvania, examined over 90,000 umbilical cord samples collected over the past five years.
Nearly 20% of these samples tested positive for cannabis, highlighting a significant issue as marijuana becomes more widely legalized and socially accepted.
Kari Midthun, PhD, a forensic toxicologist at NMS Labs, attributes this rise to the increasing availability of cannabis and the decreasing stigma associated with its use.
“More states are legalizing cannabis, so it’s more openly available and not as stigmatized as it once was,” she explained.
This normalization of marijuana use has led to increased consumption among pregnant women.
Many expectant mothers view cannabis as a natural remedy, often using it to alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms like morning sickness and anxiety, according to Alexandria Reinhart, an assistant laboratory director at NMS Labs.
However, health experts are raising alarms about the potential risks.
Kelly C. Young-Wolff, PhD, MPH, a clinical psychologist and research scientist at Kaiser Permanente, found that women who used marijuana during early pregnancy faced increased risks of complications such as pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and placental abruption.
Marijuana use during pregnancy has also been linked to adverse outcomes for infants.
Dr. Torri Metz, a maternal-fetal medicine expert at the University of Utah Health, noted that it is associated with lower birth weights.
A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that cannabis use increases the risk of preterm deliveries and reduced birth weight.
Long-term risks to children exposed to marijuana in utero are still being studied, but early research suggests potential neurodevelopmental issues, including conditions like ADHD and autism.
There are also concerns about a possible connection between prenatal marijuana exposure and certain childhood cancers, such as brain tumors.
Fetal neurodevelopment begins as early as 12-14 weeks of gestation, often before many women realize they are pregnant. This timing raises concerns that marijuana use early in pregnancy may cause harm before a woman is aware she should stop.
While further research is needed, the substance’s entry into the bloodstream and subsequent crossing of the placenta pose significant risks to both mother and child.
The effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, are also not yet fully understood.
Dr. Metz highlighted that many pregnant women are unaware of the potential harm to their unborn children and often use marijuana to manage symptoms.
She advocates for healthcare providers to educate their patients on safer alternatives, such as vitamin B6 supplements and over-the-counter medications for nausea.
As more research emerges, it is becoming increasingly clear that marijuana use during pregnancy is not safe.
“For most, once they understand the risks, they stop using. That’s why having an open conversation with patients is so important,” Metz concluded.