The evil weed

[candr]

I mentioned to a friend of mine (we are both around 20 weeks)that I had a prob at 20 week scan with fluid levels in babies brain, she said that she had the same thing but her levels are higher than mine were. She is in a right state as she has convinced herself it is because she did not realise she was pregnant till she was 4 months and was still smoking reefers. I told her I don't smoke at all any more yet we have the same prob - is there any way her smoking could have made the problem worse? I don't want to google it as am trying to stay away from that so I dont freak myself out about potential brain damage till we have re scan in 2 weeks as google often makes problems seem worse. What probs could the evil weed cause as am trying to get her to stop but she says she is so stressed now she has to have one or two a day (huge improvement on before)?

From Netdoctor:

In pregnancy there is clear evidence that the babies of women who smoke are at risk of growth restriction and other problems.

The risks associated with cannabis use are mainly due to the fact that the active ingredients build up in fat tissue, which includes the brain.

The main risks seem to be a decrease in energy and motivation, and an increased risk of depression.

In those who are vulnerable to psychotic illnesses when thinking is disturbed, cannabis increases the risk of a psychotic episode.

There is little data regarding the effects on the baby when mothers use cannabis during their pregnancy. While it is not known to be definitely harmful, there is no evidence that it is safe.

No mention of fluid on the brain. I think she's daft for using it whilst pg but I've never been addicted to anything so it's easy for me to say!

I hope your rescan goes well.

my exs aunty smoked weed wen she was pg n as a result her son is autistic n has adhd

Id like to point out thta some children are born with autism and adhd and their mum did not smoke weed - the fact that your exs aunty smoked it may not be relevant.

What a ridiculously stupid thing to say rachy. There is no evidence that either autism or ADHD are caused by cannabis use. You need to think twice before posting any kind of advice on a public forum.

Obviously it is best avoided, but in this case the girl didn't even know she was pregnant, and in any case it is very likely to be absolutely nothing to do with the fluid problem.

There's not much robust evidence on the impact of smoking weed in pregnancy - I've certainly never come across evidence that it results in autism. Obviously it's a good idea not to, and your friend really, really should get help from her midwife or doctor with this.

Oh, and if we're on anecdotes, my mum smoked weed (and worse when pregnant with all 3 of us. None of us have any of the aforementioned issues. Again, certainly not advisable, but just to counteract rachy's nonsense.

I really doubt that there's a link between the smoking and the scan results. I hope you can encourage your friend to look to the future (all the great things she can do for her baby from now on...) rather than worry about the past. Most women did something daft before they realised they were pregnant.

Good luck to you and your friend :)

if i am wrong then how come this article says other wise??
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2871901.stm

Most unlikely that there is a causal relationship.

Sorry, I know this is going to be a very unpopular post, but I did a lot of (secondary) research into this topic in the mid '90s when I was a professional researcher and there wasn't any medical evidence back then of harmful side-effects during pregnancy. And there were a LOT of medical studies even 15 years ago.

I also personally know an awful lot of women who smoked cannabis in moderation when they were pregnant (mostly 15-30 years ago) without any apparent harm to themselves or their children. I know everyone claims that weed is stronger nowadays etc., but even so.

rachy Well not quite....

Roger Howard, chief executive of the charity DrugScope, said: "There is little correlation between the brain patterns of rats and humans and I would therefore be cautious about placing too much emphasis on a single piece of research."

His comments were echoed by John Witton, of the charity Action on Addiction.

She has not smoked for a few days now and is feeling the benefit, I hope she sticks to it and her DP has to hide in the driveway if he has a smoke and make sure he hides all the tobacco and rizlas. Have started making my DH go to the end of the garden as have developed a very sensitive nose to tobacco and can't bear the smell myself anymore not that he was blowing it at me or anything. Hadn't thought about all those swinging sixties mammas who's children seem fine though I know that is not an advert for people to do it. Her scan turned out fine when repeated am just waiting a week for mine now. Cheers for the posts guys have got her on to mumsnet to see them for herself.

What she MUST NOT do is to decide the damage has been done already, she's a dreadful person, feeling terrible about herself, so smokes herself into oblivion! (Like when you break a diet so you decide you may as well eat three packets of biscuits.)

Most of us fall short of the healthy ideal during pregnancy. I know I did. But it's really worthwhile just doing the best she can to smoke as little as possible, preferably not at all. Her midwife can help.