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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What’s better vaping or CBD oil during pregnancy to relieve stress?

50 replies

Anonny22 · 16/08/2023 15:59

Hi you may recognise me from my previous post. I’m sorry I haven’t got round to replying to that yet but will. Thanks for all the help. I’m 9 1/2 weeks pregnant. I tend to overthink and get easily stressed especially over what happened to me two years ago. I’ve read somewhere that you can’t use CBD oil during pregnancy as there’s no evidence of its safety. Vaping has mixed findings and views. Midwives prefer that to smoking. The thing is before pregnancy I used both to calm me down when I was stressed or anxious and they really did work. CBD oil and sleepy tea at night on nights when I was so anxious and found it harder to sleep. I haven’t touch either of them since finding out I’m pregnant. My issue is that it’s getting to a point when I will have to start up one or both of them because my worrying along with brain fog and fatigue is forcing me to go on them again. This week with brain fog hasn’t been that bad but last week I was really bad constantly making mistakes and forgetting things etc then getting so so annoyed and stressed at myself. I have an under active thyroid that’s medicated but I need a higher dose. They lowered my dose the month I got pregnant which was fine when I wasn’t pregnant but now I am my body is struggling again. When I order my meds again I will ask them for the dose I was on before because I coped better on them. I feel stupid because especially at work I feel I just look stupid and not with it. I have to drink a coffee every day to boost myself but because of the caffeine limit I can’t have a lot which is annoying as I really need a good boost most days. The worrying about telling family and in laws I’m pregnant and the thought of more agro and little to no support is sending me to dread. Also the thought of having a really needy high needs baby as the result of stress is making me feel stressed and blame myself that I’ll not be good enough. My capacity to mental deal with a baby would be fine with a bit of support but with no support and a high needs baby I don’t know how I’ll handle that. I just want to be a good mum and give my child a good life but I feel with the situation that my child will end up with additional needs and I may even end up having that child taken into care if my mental health spirals. I know I sound ridiculous.

vaping really helped me calm down and I used it as a tool throughout the last year. Because those disposable vapes have nicotine and if I have a bit in the mornings it may help wake me up whilst calming me. CBD oil just calms me right down and now that I technically can’t use them I’m struggling and I dread any agro with families happening but it’s becoming less and less of a choice not to use them. I feel like I need to use one or both to cope. Will this really affect my baby because I feel the untreated constant stress would be way more damaging. In a perfect world I wouldn’t. Am I being unreasonable? Have any of you used any of these and your baby turned out ok? Thanks

OP posts:
WarmSunnySkies · 16/08/2023 18:14

I really hope this is a joke/troll, neither of those options will be safe for your baby and gave the potential to csuse gealth issues. Please speak with your midwife or GP and they'll be able to give you proper medical advice.

WarmSunnySkies · 16/08/2023 18:15
  • Cause health issues
Holly60 · 16/08/2023 18:19

Speak to your midwife about safe ways of managing stress in pregnancy.

Many women deal with anxiety throughout their pregnancies so you aren't alone and your midwives will be well able to support you.

DameKatyDenisesClagnuts · 16/08/2023 18:32

Hi, you really need to make sure your thyroid issues are properly medicated in pregnancy - your GP will be able to sort that asap. If you mention your anxiety they may also recommend some medication which would be safer than self medicating

Yfory · 16/08/2023 18:33

I had an appalling time when I was pregnant with my first. Sobbing almost every day due to a situation totally beyond my control. I was convinced this would somehow damage my baby but actually........... zero effect. Hes an adult now.
Find a better way than vaping or cbd. - learn to meditate? Yoga? listen to music? anything that doesnt involve putting poison into your body.

Abbimae · 16/08/2023 18:35

vaping is nicotine. Is this a joke? If not… wow

Againstmachine · 16/08/2023 18:35

None

KittensandPerverts · 16/08/2023 18:37

Abbimae · 16/08/2023 18:35

vaping is nicotine. Is this a joke? If not… wow

Not necessarily but I'm guessing the OP would be referring to the nicotine variety.

Hoardasurass · 16/08/2023 18:37

Neither.
If you are self medicting whist pregnant you have a serious problem which you need urgent medical help for.
I'm not judging I'm being honest

WhateverMate · 16/08/2023 18:40

You need professional help, not CBD or vapes.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 16/08/2023 18:41

OP neither of those are safe during pregnancy. I sympathise with you suffering anxiety as I have struggled with it all my life. Have you been to the GP to talk about antidepressants, I took citalopram during my pregnancy with both my dc as it’s pregnancy safe. I still get anxiety attacks and when I’m really stressed and I find good coping mechanisms for me are things like blasting my favourite song with my noise cancelling headphones or taking my dog on a run. These things might be different for you but there is plenty of advice for coping with anxiety attacks online.

BrawnWild · 16/08/2023 18:41

You need a doctors appointment as they may be able to help.

Sincerely, would you actually feel more relaxed after jnieungly ingesting those products? I would have thought it would be another bigger worry.

TeaKitten · 16/08/2023 18:46

Stress is safer for the baby than vaping or CBD oil. Speak to your midwife/GP about your anxiety and see what they can offer. And I no it will sound like the most unappealing thing ever in the first trimester of pregnancy, but honestly exercise will help massively, with anxiety and energy levels. I’m not talking about suddenly being a gym but, but it really does help, even if it’s an easy 10 minute workout video on YouTube at the end of your day, itl boost your mind and your energy levels.

supersonicginandtonic · 16/08/2023 18:50

Hi OP, please speak to your GP and midwife as they can help you manage your anxiety in safe ways. When there is little or no evidence, that's because enough research hasn't been done so we don't know any damage it may cause. It may turn out in the future that it does.
You can be referred to specialise midwife for support with your mental health. It helped me during my pregnancy. Also the above poster is right, exercise will also help a significant amount.

Vault687 · 16/08/2023 18:52

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

puffincarpet · 16/08/2023 18:52

Neither. There are plenty of ways to relieve stress in pregnancy without doing anything that might harm your baby. If you're struggling with anxiety management, talk to your midwife, who will be able to offer you extra support and also discuss any support network you might have at home.

Neverhadapaddle · 16/08/2023 18:54

I'm not even going to address the actual question, because you know the answer or you wouldn't be asking strangers on the internet to validate it. I suspect you will go ahead regardless of what people here suggest any.

But in terms of genuine help, you should have had your dose of thyroxine increased upon finding out you are pregnant not reduced. Mine was increased the moment I peed positive on a stick (albeit managed by my IVF clinic before being referred to an obstetric endocrinologist). You need a GP appt asap. To address your TSH levels and to ask for a referral to the drug and alcohol midwife

Gnomegnomegnome · 16/08/2023 18:54

Surely the most obvious answer is to seek help for your stress and anxiety?
Is that too obvious?

CandyflossKaren · 16/08/2023 18:56

Neither option.....how ridiculous!

ActDottie · 16/08/2023 18:56

Speak to your midwife about safe ways to manage your anxiety in pregnancy. Neither option you suggested is viable.

I say that as someone currently pregnant with chronic mental health conditions.

Feelingss · 16/08/2023 18:57

Neverhadapaddle · 16/08/2023 18:54

I'm not even going to address the actual question, because you know the answer or you wouldn't be asking strangers on the internet to validate it. I suspect you will go ahead regardless of what people here suggest any.

But in terms of genuine help, you should have had your dose of thyroxine increased upon finding out you are pregnant not reduced. Mine was increased the moment I peed positive on a stick (albeit managed by my IVF clinic before being referred to an obstetric endocrinologist). You need a GP appt asap. To address your TSH levels and to ask for a referral to the drug and alcohol midwife

Drug and alcohol midwife for CBd oil ?! Heard it all now 😂

Oysterbabe · 16/08/2023 19:00

I don't think these are going to help your anxiety, just shift it to worrying about what they are doing to your baby.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 16/08/2023 19:07

Neither of them.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 16/08/2023 19:08

Feelingss · 16/08/2023 18:57

Drug and alcohol midwife for CBd oil ?! Heard it all now 😂

It is weed isn't it? That is a drug.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 16/08/2023 19:09

If true poor baby.