What effects does it have on a unborn childif a woman consumes cannabis during pregnancy? This question has already been answered by numerous studies: Then the child is at risk of foetal and neonatal health problems. For example, the risk of a lower birth weight, premature birth and the need for the newborn to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit increases. In order not to endanger the baby, pregnant women should therefore consistently refrain from using cannabis!
To date, much less has been known about whether and how prenatal cannabis use affects the health of the foetus. Pregnant women itself. This question was investigated by the research institute of the US health insurer Kaiser Permanente Northern California near San Francisco.
In the retrospective Cohort study over 250,000 individual women who were pregnant for at least 20 weeks between January 2011 and December 2019 were included. This meant that data from almost 320,000 pregnancies was included in the study. Prenatal cannabis use was defined as any use during early pregnancy that was self-reported by the women or detected via a positive toxicological screening test result (urine) in the 8th to 10th week of pregnancy.
Based on this definition, 6.3 per cent of the 250,000 women were found to use cannabis daily, weekly, monthly or even less frequently during early pregnancy. That is a significant percentage in this context!
The scientists discovered what had already been suspected: Expectant mothers face an increased risk of various pregnancy complications with prenatal cannabis use. In particular, an increased risk of Pregnancy hypertension,Pre-eclampsia, Insufficient or excessive weight gain and placental abruption.
Only the risk of developing gestational diabetes was significantly lower in pregnant cannabis users than in pregnant non-consumers.
All the results on prenatal cannabis use therefore show clear risks for both the child and the expectant mother.
So: Hands off cannabis during pregnancy!
By the way: In the USA, an increase in cannabis consumption has also been observed among pregnant women in recent years. It is suspected that this could be closely linked to increasing legalisation: Private consumption has been legal there since 2016 and sale and purchase since 2018. Many women in the USA also believe that the "substance" has become safer as a result of legalisation. Pregnant women may therefore also see cannabis as a safer alternative to prescription medication and use it, for example, to alleviate pain. Sleep problems, Depression and stress, morning sickness and pain during pregnancy.
In Germany, the so-called "Cannabis Act" came into force on 1 April 2024. It allows any adult to possess or carry up to 25 grams of dried cannabis. At their place of residence, adults may even possess a total of 50 grams for personal consumption. In addition, each adult may grow up to three cannabis plants at the same time for personal use at their place of residence.
This legalisation could also usher in a similar development in Germany as in the USA. However, this is dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children.
