While there is mounting research that says marijuana has health benefits and is harmless, the American Academy of Pediatrics is advising against pregnant and breast feeding women to use the drug.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that its doctors counsel women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to not use marijuana.
Studies have showed that a growing number of babies are being exposed to the drug.
The Academy has made the following recommendations to members:
Inform adolescents and women of reproductive age about the lack of definitive research. Counsel about concerns regarding potential adverse effects of THC exposure, including passive smoke, on pregnant women and fetal, infant and child development. Include marijuana when discussing the need to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy.
Counsel pregnant women who are using marijuana or other cannabinoid-containing products to treat a medical condition, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy — or who are identified during screening as using marijuana — about the lack of safety data and the possible adverse effects of THC on the developing fetus.
Explain that even where marijuana is legal, pregnant women can be subject to child welfare investigations if they have a positive marijuana screen result.
Note that data are insufficient to assess the effects on infants who are exposed to maternal marijuana while breastfeeding. Inform women of the potential risk of exposure during lactation and encourage them to abstain from using any marijuana products while breastfeeding.
Encourage women who never have used marijuana to remain abstinent while pregnant and breastfeeding.
Work with state/local health departments if legalization of marijuana has occurred or is being considered to help with constructive, nonpunitive policy and education for families.
“Women should definitely be counseled that it’s not a good idea to use marijuana while pregnant. If you’re breastfeeding, we would encourage you to cut back or quit,” remarked Seth Ammerman, a co-author of the report and professor of pediatrics at Stanford.
He did however say that “the benefits of breastfeeding would outweigh the potential exposure to the infant.”
“A lot of women may be getting the info from online media and from marijuana dispensaries. As health professionals, we need to educate women that there are a lot of concerns both for the fetus and for later development,” said Kelly Young-Wolff, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. She was not involved in the pediatrics study.
