Cannabis Use Transitions During Early Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Cannabis use during pregnancy is rising, yet transitions in use (initiation, cessation, persistence) from preconception to early pregnancy remain understudied.
• Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use transitions between preconception and early pregnancy.
• To identify factors associated with persistent cannabis use, new uptake, and discontinuation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 9,200 participants in the US and Canada trying to conceive.
• Online questionnaires assessed cannabis, alcohol, and cigarette use, sociodemographic factors, and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) from preconception through early pregnancy (<12 weeks gestation).

Main Results:

• 3.1% reported persistent cannabis use, 9.9% discontinued, and 0.5% initiated use between preconception and early pregnancy.
• Among preconception cannabis users, 23.8% continued use in pregnancy (54.8% of daily users).
• Lower education/income, younger age (<25), unmarried status, and comorbid depression/anxiety were associated with increased cannabis use. NVP was inversely associated with cannabis use.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of individuals continue or initiate cannabis use during pregnancy, particularly those with specific sociodemographic profiles and mental health conditions.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted cannabis cessation interventions during the preconception and early pregnancy periods.