Marijuana in pregnancy

[Maggie1234]

I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant.

I've been very healthy during my pregnancy - I don't smoke, don't take drugs, have just the odd glass of wine, exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.

I'm going to a New Year party on the weekend.

All my friends will be drinking, and some will be smoking dope.

I'd love to have a few puffs on a joint. Considering I'll be sober (and that I'm quite a lightweight when it comes to dope) just a couple of drags would be enough. Plus my friends use 'herbal tobacco' so there's no nicotine.

I've skim read a few academic articles about it, but most studies seem to be based on women who smoked marijuana regularly in their pregnancy - which completely doesn't apply to me.

I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on this?

I'd prefer to hear from people in the medical field or who can direct me towards research rather than receive anecdotal reassurance (eg. "my sister smoked dope all the time and her kid is fine") or vague disapproval (eg. "I would never do anything to harm my baby")

Just genuinely curious about this! Thanks :)

You are looking for evidence as to what a single use of a drug will do to your baby as others have mentioned that evidence is not going to be out there.
But think about it like this there are people who have died from taking so called recreational drugs for the first time so you have to remember that it can only take once for there to be a problem.

Yes the chances may be minimal but really it is a game of russian roulette isn't it nobody can say on way or another 100% what harm it will do so the choice for me personally is simple I wouldn't do it.

Yeah it's really not that complicated or difficult.

I was also going to say after an x-post that I have abstained for a total of years through pregnancy and bf in fact this Christmas was my first fall off the wagon in 15 months (ds2 is 6 months old) and I managed fine that time without alcohol or mind altering drugs.

Well, you will also be there as a passive smoker...

I also researched this during pregnancy and there's not much science out there to help is there?

However, I did have the odd spliff in all four of my pregnancies because it's my tipple and I find it good for my mental health and happiness - which also affects the baby inside.

I don't drink very often but I found in pregnancy my body absolutely wouldn't let me have any alcohol, coffee or even tea. It was adamant about that and yet it didn't mind the odd hash truffle.

I'm a great believer in listening to your body.

Happy new year whatever you decide.

I had four strapping great healthy hearty babies who share my love of music.

yes but you had healthy babies. Tis a totally different prospect when you have no children and keep miscarrying. Maybe it's quite easy not to drink etc when you have your child in your arms and are BF them. When you keep getting pregnant and loosing your children, things loose their sheen a little.

Matters of this kind are not always as straight forward as they seem. Lets not judge eh?

I think I should qualify my post by saying I never got on with the strong stuff like skunk. I only ever smoked or ate normal (weak by todays standards) weed or pollen. Super-strains which seem to be the norm these days are a different kettle of fish. They are more likely to make you paranoid for one thing and that would be pretty unsettling.

If you are asking the question on MN, OP, then you will know whether you are doing the right thing. I drank a glass of wine every night with my two babies, and felt that it was OK. Trust your instincts. Never did drugs as it isn't my thing, but the same rules apply.

sorry - you are missing the point.

just consider that when you're high as a kite, your baby will prob feel the same. is that going to be nice for baby?

satop being so selfish and get real

stop rather...

There are a few points on this thread that have bugged me while reading it.

Comparing drinking to smoking weed, I don't think that is a reasonable thing to do to be honest. I think most mumsnetters would not advocate you getting totally drunk during pregnancy which is the only way you could really compare drinking to smoking weed. Correct me if I'm wrong but surely most the pregnant woman who drink drink because they enjoy the taste of the odd glass of wine not because they feel the need to be intoxicated?

Unfortunately I would find it hard to tell a none pregnant friend that smoking dope is ok. I have just seen what it does to far too many people. This is the obstacle you are facing with getting a non-judgemental response on this subject. Someone compared it to blowing smoke in the face of a newborn but it really doesn't have to be that sinister. My thoughts were simply would you smoke it in the same room as your newborn? Someone else mentioned the passive smoking element of the party - what type of party is this that they'll be no escape from smoke?

Those arguing that the expectations of pregnant woman are too high I suppose in some ways have a point. I am probably too hard on myself as far as demands for pregnancy as I will suffer for hours and try every alternative before even taking a paracetamol but then whats wrong with wanting to keep my daughter as healthy as possible - at least that way if something does go wrong I know I cannot blame myself. I do sympathise with those woman who have had multiple MC but I don't think giving up recreational drugs/alcohol/tobacco are really big suggestions whether it be for 9 months or 5 years. I genuinely don't see what the big deal is and don't see it as a major sacrifice or an injustice as some people seem to think it is.

But ofc this is merely my opinion. Who am I to say how much of a sacrifice this is as I have never done drugs as I have seen how it changes people, I don't like to get drunk (although I don't mind the occasional drink) and I don't smoke as it is the biggest waste of money EVER! (all those smokers who disagree I dare you to work out how much it costs you a year - bet you could buy something nice with that)

Now to answer your question I looked in a book called "How Safe is Your Baby...? The facts behind the official advice" by Annie Vickerstaff. Available at your local library (probably - unless you live near me in which case I have it :)) and I found two interesting extracts that I thought I would quote for you below, unfortunately I couldn't find anything more relevant as "a few puffs on a joint" is not exactly the basis of a scientific study.

Mothers who had smoked marijuana more than 10 times [in their lifetime] had babies who were 17% smaller than those of other woman

Some women use cannabis during pregnancy to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness. A Canadian study published in Complementary Therapy Clinical Practice February 2006 examined the subject, carrying out a survey of 79 women who used medical cannabis while pregnant. Of these, 77% had experienced nausea and/or vomiting. 68% had used cannabis to treat the condition, and over 92% rated it as either "extremely effective" or "effective".

Although the second one is interesting I don't really think it applies since we're hardly questioning "medical cannabis" which at a guess I would think is more controlled strength and such wise.

Really though this is your choice and you have to make the call you think is best regardless of what anyone else says as you are the only one who has to live with your actions. The same way any of us here have to live with ours - today I drank nearly a litre of coca-cola, can hardly argue that is good for baby or me to be honest, my mother would disapprove...

Funny, I have had a premature birth (of twins, both died) and miscarriage this year alone and am now pregnant again. If this pregnancy goes to term and is successful (and it's very high risk) I would have spent a total of almost 3 years without drinking. I also cannot have a bath or sex whilst pregnant as we're on the subject. It's just no fucking big deal compared to the chance of having a healthy baby.

I struggle enough to understand people drinking in pregnancy, but why anyone would smoke dope when there is no evidence to say it won't harm your baby.

I agree with Korma, it's really no big deal to go without certain things during pregnancy.

Not read all the responses but having had 6 miscarriages and a stillbirth at 37 weeks a few weeks ago then I think you'd be selfish and stupid to do that. You asked for opinion so I did. I buried my daughter today. I would give anything for a healthy baby that was alive right now. i wouldn't fucking risk it. Is that a good enough answer?

One of the main reasons that pregnant women can't take most over the counter medication whilst pregnant is that drug companies cannot ethically justify the trials - what if their drugs did cause birth defects and that simply by taking part in the trials babies were put at risk.

Bearing that in mind, I think the only research that you will find will be highly anecdotal and for that reason not particularly reliable.

I am not anti or pro cannabis. However research that I have looked at in the past is heavily in favour of only adults partaking. Cannabis use in teenagers can really seriously affect mental and emotional development. Something that is less of an issue for adults obviously. As such, I would err on the side of caution, if it effects teenagers to such a degree, then it would probably have an effect on an unborn child.

Anecdotal note - I am aware of a few people that smoke cannabis whilst breastfeeding (not literally whilst baby is on the boob! ) but didn't whilst pregnant. Reason being EVERYTHING goes straight to the baby whilst pregnant, breastfeeding is a different matter with tiny percentages of whatever (alcohol, drugs, caffeine, etc) being transmitted into the milk.

My suggestion, which you are welcome to ignore, would be to just have a glass of champagne so you don't feel you are missing out and give the pot a miss. Just so you have no regrets in the future.

and to add, I didnt drink etc either, nothing, whilst pregnant. To me, that wasn't a long time to "give up",

Possible damage to the baby and damage to your reputation. Unless this party is in a crack den, then there are bound to be people there who will disapprove and think less of you because of this.

Cheese, I am so sorry for your loss.

I have no issue generally with smoking a bit of pot, not done it in a long time but used to enjoy it on occasion. However, for me personally I would never dream of it while pregnant, purely because if anything did go wrong with my pregnancy I know I'd go mad with guilt and convince myself that it was all my fault coz of it. If u wouldn't feel like this then do whatever makes you feel happy, so long as u r willing to live with any possible consequences xxx

Imagine yourself 5 years down the line with a child just started school. The teacher calls you in to discuss behaviour issues/problems learning/whatever.

You will then spend the next few years wondering if that toke on NYE could have caused it.

Why risk a healthy baby for the sake of a bit of blow when by your own admission, you don't really do drugs? We don't even know the effect of alcohol on a fetus, let alone recreational drugs, so why risk it?

I think this thread is a wind-up.

But, as the OP keeps stating that she is looking for evidence that it is harmful I can only assume she is going to do it (if she is real!!) unless we magically produce statistics proving that there will be damage as a result of her actions.

So at best this is made up, or at worst just looking for someone to say it's ok.

Which it clearly isn't.

Grow Up.

Oh Cheese, I'm sorry you had to look at this navel-gazing nonsense.

www.druglibrary.org/Schaffer/hemp/medical/can-babies.htm

A study into the routine consumption of marijuana in Jamaican Rastafarian communities. FTR the men only smoke it, the women eat it or take it in tincture form.