Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and While Breastfeeding

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatal Health
• Cannabis Research

Background:

• Increasing marijuana use in pregnancy and lactation due to legalization.
• Conflicting scientific literature and limited data on cannabis use during breastfeeding.
• Women use marijuana for medical reasons like nausea, anxiety, and pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the scientific literature on marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation.
• To clarify the risks associated with prenatal and neonatal cannabis exposure.
• To provide guidance for healthcare practitioners counseling pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and longitudinal cohort studies.
• Analysis of animal and human data on cannabis effects.
• Assessment of studies considering confounding factors like tobacco use.

Main Results:

• Marijuana crosses the placenta and enters breast milk, exposing the fetus and neonate.
• Potential associations between marijuana use and adverse perinatal outcomes like growth restriction, stillbirth, and preterm birth.
• Evidence suggests possible long-term neurobehavioral effects from prenatal cannabis exposure.

Conclusions:

• Marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation is biologically plausible to cause harm.
• Women should be advised to abstain from marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Further research is needed, but current evidence supports avoidance.