Pregnant women report marijuana use predominantly to self-treat depression, anxiety, stress, pain, nausea, and vomiting; (1) it is most commonly used during the first trimester (2).
Women with severe nausea and vomiting are more likely to use marijuana during their first trimester.CBD is a natural extract that is becoming popular for its potential to help ease some of these pregnancy side effects. However, it’s not clear whether or not it’s safe for expectant mothers.
Since there is not enough research to determine the safety of CBD in pregnant women and nursing mothers, in the US the FDA advises against its use. It states on it’s website, “FDA strongly advises against the use of cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabionol (THC), and marijuana in any form during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.”
The FDA states that you or your child are not at risk if you use cannabis products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Is CBD Oil Safe?
But is CBD Oil safe during pregnancy? Probably not. (3)
What Science Says
There are a lot of CBD products out there, so it’s no surprise that more and more expectant mothers are turning to them as a natural solution to their pregnancy-related symptoms. However, before you start down the path it is best to speak to your doctor OB/GYN about the safest way to use it during pregnancy.
Scientists aren’t convinced that CBD is safe during pregnancy. That’s because most experts are looking at the effects of CBD on animals, and it’s hard to transfer those findings into humans.
Another reason to avoid CBD during pregnancy is that it’s not regulated by the FDA, so it may be contaminated with unwanted chemicals like pesticides, bacteria, and fungi. It can also contain THC, a psychoactive compound that can cause a high. (4)
Pregnancy Symptoms
The good news is that many of the symptoms you might be experiencing are only temporary. They’ll pass by the time you reach your second trimester and usually even before then.
Fatigue: The hormone progesterone soars in early pregnancy, which can make you feel a little more tired. This symptom gets better in the second trimester, though, as you produce more blood to transport nutrients to your growing baby.
Nausea: Another common symptom, nausea (also called morning sickness) can be mild to severe and last throughout the day or at night. It may be accompanied by food aversions, indigestion, a heightened sense of smell, and a metallic taste in your mouth.
Bloating: Similar to constipation, bloating is also a common early pregnancy symptom. It’s caused by the changing hormones that slow down digestion and can lead to a buildup of air in the gut.
Mood swings can be a regular part of pregnancy, but they’re generally easier to manage if you can get adequate sleep and keep stress levels low. However, if mood swings persist or are extreme, speak to your doctor.
Pregnancy Tests
If you’re a woman with mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, you might feel tempted to turn to CBD to help alleviate the symptoms. But you should know that CBD isn’t currently safe for pregnant women.
Experts have mainly based their opinions on animal studies, so it’s not clear how the compound may affect the unborn baby. For example, a recent study gave high doses of CBD to pregnant test animals, and the researchers noticed problems in the reproductive systems of male foetuses.
In general, experts say it’s best to stay low and slow when using health supplements during pregnancy. This means keeping your dosages in check and being transparent with your doctor about what you’re taking or thinking of taking.
Conclusions
If you are pregnant, CBD oil may be a viable option for alleviating common pregnancy symptoms like nausea, backaches, and anxiety. The compound is marketed as natural and non-psychoactive and has been used to treat chronic pain and other mental health conditions.
While the use of cannabis has been well explored in terms of the effects on pregnancy, the use of CBD during pregnancy thus far has limited literature. While some studies in mice suggest that CBD might be beneficial during pregnancy, researchers say there is still more to learn about the effects of marijuana use on developing foetuses. Other studies have linked marijuana use to preterm birth, low birth weight, and poor cognitive development in children. (5)
About Us
CannaTelehealth, specialises in providing online consultations for various healthcare needs, including assistance with alcohol addiction. Our platform is designed to facilitate the use of advanced telehealth technology by medical professionals, ensuring the security and privacy of patient information in compliance with regulations.
We have developed an online system that simplifies the process of booking appointments with qualified and experienced General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, who can assist patients in accessing prescriptions for Medicinal Cannabis for their medical conditions. Our telehealth system is fully supported by our clinical team, guaranteeing that all consultations are conducted by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.
Our doctors are authorised to prescribe Medicinal Cannabis under Schedule 8 of the Therapeutic Goods Act. In the initial consultation, your nurse or doctor will collaborate with you to determine the suitability of Medicinal Cannabis for your specific symptoms and conditions. If deemed appropriate, they will then apply for TGA approval for your electronic prescription, which can be presented at your pharmacy of choice.
Medical Cannabis Doctors Online Treatment and Consults
CannaTelehealth’s doctors have extensive experience in assessing patients for medicinal cannabis. Prior to having an online consultation with our healthcare professionals it is a good idea to write down your questions before your consultation so that you don’t forget them.
Our doctors will review your medical history and confirm that you meet the criteria for a medicinal cannabis prescription under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme. We will then either prescribe medication through the Authorised Prescriber pathway or submit your application to the TGA and you should receive your product within 2 business days.
All our doctors are trained under the TGA authorised prescriber scheme and have detailed knowledge of how cannabis affects the body. Our doctors are also able to recommend the best dosage and type of cannabis for your condition. Our doctors are able to prescribe all forms of medicinal cannabis including capsules, tinctures, sprays and vape cartridges.
The cost of your medical cannabis will vary depending on your condition and the specific product that is recommended for you.
Our clinic offers bulk billing for patients who have been approved by the DVA. This is worth checking for your eligibility criteria for this discounted online consultation.
Book a consultation – Follow the simple steps to engaging with an online health professional who will assess your eligibility for alternative treatments such as medicinal cannabis and what might be the cause of your chronic pain.
To contact us at CannaTelehealth you can either go directly to the website and add your details directly to our ‘Contact Us Form’ We will contact you within 1 hour. Normally our online healthcare professionals who are pain medicine specialists will have a booking time within 1 day if suitable. Alternatively you may contact us via info@cannatelehealth.com.au.
References:
- Brown QL, Sarvet AL, Shmulewitz D, Martins SS, Wall MM, Hasin DS. Trends in Marijuana Use Among Pregnant and Nonpregnant Reproductive-Aged Women, 2002-2014. JAMA. 2017;317(2):207-209.
- Quality. Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2018.
- Bayrampour H, Zahradnik M, Lisonkova S, Janssen P. Women’s perspectives about cannabis use during pregnancy and the postpartum period: An integrative review. Preventive medicine. 2019;119:17-23.
- Schneider M. Cannabis use in pregnancy and early life and its consequences: animal models. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience. 2009;259(7):383-393.
- Impact of cannabinoids on pregnancy, reproductive health, and offspring outcomes Jamie O Lo 1, Jason C Hedges 2, Guillermina Girardi 3 Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Oct;227(4):571-581. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.05.056. Epub 2022 May 31.
- Considerations and Implications of Cannabidiol Use During Pregnancy Syena Sarrafpour 1, Ivan Urits 2, Jordan Powell 3, Diep Nguyen 3, Jessica Callan 3, Vwaire Orhurhu 1, Thomas Simopoulos 1, Omar Viswanath 4 5 6 7, Alan D Kaye 7, Rachel J Kaye 8, Elyse M Cornett 9, Cyrus Yazdi 1 Curr Pain Headache Rep . 2020 Jun 10;24(7):38. doi: 10.1007/s11916-020-00872-w
