I've been a daily weed smoker for approximately 2 years due to depression/anxiety. It had been a lifesaver for me. I always planned to stop once I got pregnant, but when I quit once I found out at 4 weeks, my depression/anxiety was so bad I started back up. I feel so guilty smoking but do not want to take anti depressants. My husband is supportive of whatever decision I make. The weed has also helped with all of my pregnancy symptoms, sore breasts, nausea, headaches, insomnia and my appetite. Anyone have a similar situation? What did you do? How did you find peace of mind smoking while pregnant OR if you quit, did you supplement with anything?
Re: Weed Smoker Advice - please no negative judgment
She quit weed after having him and before having her second. Her second had no health issues. To this day (12 years later, she still regrets it).
As she said, I don't know if the weed caused the issues of him, but I regret not giving him the best possible chance.
also - outside of health risks, you could be in legal trouble too (see link: https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-use-marijuana-during-pregnancy_2490.bc)
"Is it illegal to use weed during pregnancy?
There can be legal risks to marijuana use. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. To find out about the state law where you live, check the Guttmacher Institute's summary of state policies.
In at least 23 states and the District of Columbia, using drugs during pregnancy is considered child abuse. Women risk losing custody of their children, and several states require women who use drugs during pregnancy to undergo mandatory drug treatment. At least one state threatens criminal charges.
Even in states where marijuana is legal for medical and/or adult use, using pot while pregnant can get you in trouble. In Colorado, for example, where marijuana is sold legally, hospitals may notify child protective services if your baby tests positive for THC at birth."
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
I've personally known kids who had FAS (fetal alcohol syndrom). The results are not pretty, and they are now handicapped for life.
Why don't you want to take antidepressants? I can understand not wanting to take medications, but you essentially are with weed except you are doing it extremely dangerously without the advice of a doctor.
As far as your pregnancy symptoms, if the nausea is extreme, there are medications for that and also more natural supplements like B6. For your other symptoms or if you have mild morning sickness, well, you kind of need to just suck it up. Pregnancy comes with symptoms. It'd be nice if there was a completely safe way to not have any of them, but there's not at this point in time.
Especially that you need to be honest with your doctor. Be honest about the drug use, and about the anxiety. Things don't get easier post-partum when the nights are long and sleepless and your hormones are haywire. A doctor can help you manage your anxiety and be the best mom for your baby.
As an aside, i hate that people interpret "drug use" during pregnancy as dangerous, and include drugs as prescribed by a licensed doctor in that category, but think that "natural" remedies are safe, and will include things like marijuana as "natural." Just because it grows in the ground doesn't make it safer than a drug that is created in a lab and has undergone EXTENSIVE safety testing. IT IS OK TO TAKE MEDICATIONS WHILE PREGNANT, PROVIDED THAT YOU CLEAR THEM WITH YOUR DOCTOR. Many of them are perfectly safe.
I highly suggest that you be honest with your doctor so that you can find the best course possible for managing your pregnancy symptoms in conjunction with your anxiety & depression. They may recommend that you taper off the marijuana rather than simply quitting cold turkey, which sends your body into shock.
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
At that point, it's still dangerous to the baby, just in a different way. I would give that same advice to a casual drinker - it's best not to be drunk when alone with a newborn as well (having a drink or two and not becoming impaired is totally fine, of course). There are several ways to manage anxiety that do not involve becoming mentally impaired, and those methods should be fully explored ASAP. You will already be impaired from lack of sleep - adding mind-altering substances to the mix at that point could have dire results.
But it's also all true. No one here is going to co-sign something potentially *<i>extremely</i>* harmful to your baby, out of loving kindness to you, an internet stranger, and to a baby we will most likely never meet. We can't be there to hold your hand through the process, but please feel welcome to come back and update us, vent, and maybe join your BMB if you feel you need some more support. Quitting daily use of any drug, even "just" marijuana, will probably not be easy. Talk to your doctor, and be honest with your partner. You may also find a group like NA helpful, to meet other people who have gone through the same struggles. (((Hugs))) They even have women's groups where you may feel more at ease than in a mixed group, or perhaps your partner would agree to come with you in the beginning for support.
I believe in you. ❤️
From the National Institute of Health https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/can-marijuana-use-during-pregnancy-harm-baby - "There is no human research connecting marijuana use to the chance of miscarriage, although animal studies indicate that the risk for miscarriage increases if marijuana is used early in pregnancy. Some associations have been found between marijuana use during pregnancy and future developmental and hyperactivity disorders in children. Evidence is mixed as to whether marijuana use by pregnant women is associated with low birth weight or premature birth, although long-term use may elevate these risks. Research has shown that pregnant women who use marijuana have a 2.3 times greater risk of stillbirth. Given the potential of marijuana to negatively impact the developing brain, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that obstetrician-gynecologists counsel women against using marijuana while trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy, and while they are breastfeeding."
That link does note that more research is needed, but still, I would hardly call that "mixed." I think it solidly comes down on the side of "probably harmful."
The fact is that there are scientifically proven safe ways to manage depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Marijuana doesn't happen to be one of them. I'm a Colorado native, so I'm hardly against the use of pot (hell, my dad is a 67 yr old lawyer that smokes), but I'm still pro-science.
ETA: OP hasn't been active since they day she posted this, so we're probably all replying in vain
*Formerly LuND*
Me: 35 | DH: 37
TTC: 7/2016
Low AMH, mild MFI
BFP 7/29/17
EDD: 4/5/18
DS born 4/4/18
BFP #2 7/2/19
EDD 3/13/20
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
I'm a huge cannabis advocate and proponent for it to be legalized, but I still don't necessarily agree that a woman should partake while they're pregnant. There are too many unknowns associated with it at this point and it's just not worth whatever risk (big or small) that could be associated with using it (smoking, dabbing, eating, or vaping). A few studies have shown that using cannabis while pregnant might not be harmful but nothing conclusive has been found because studies on pregnant women using cannabis are tricky (oftentimes the participants are using other drugs or smoking cigarettes as well), controversial, and typically deemed unethical for a myriad of reasons that I'm sure you can understand.
I have suffered from clinical depression and anxiety since I was 16 years old and while I chose to use cannabis pre-pregnancy as a form of medication (I currently have a medical card and live in a state where consuming cannabis is legal), I have sought out a different method for dealing with my issues during pregnancy that have been proven medically safe -- Zoloft (Sertraline), for instance, has done wonders for my anxiety and depression.
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more in depth about this.
I'm a medicinal patient and was taking lithium post pregnancy, a tough medication to wean off of, (and yes that's my personal choice, the drs also said I may stay on a low dose of it if I'd like, I personally choose not to take the risk right now),
My thing is though I've been having bad nausea & loss of apetite, I'm not sure if the cannibus is enhancing the estrogen in my body and making me sicker or if it's just my body re-adjusting.
But I'm sure everyone will tell you, "NO IT'S A BAD DRUG DON'T USE IT," there were pregnant women in jail that were prescribed methadone for heroine withdrawl, and they had healthy babies so idk I think modern medicine is advancing,
Just do what feels right, if it's cannibus, you have my support I'm pro cannibus use during pregnancy.
Married: June 2011
TTC since Feb 2016
BFP#1: 7/7/16 MMC: 8/16/16
BFP#2: 5/8/17 - CP
BFP#3: 6/27/17 EDD: 3/10/18
As a woman who (DUE TO COVID) has run out of my THC/CBD oils which I use for chronic pain (due to being hit by a SUV) and has for the last two months been on medication from my doctor for my severe morning sickness. I can inform you that the intake of calories is next to impossible when the pain is so bad I cannot even keep Tylenol down long enough for it to be effective. MY DOCTOR recommended I return to using my THC/CBD oils in combination with the medication I have been given and we will judge if I can stop the medication all together as a pair. He is a DOCTOR and agrees this is the best solution for me and my baby. Please vaccinate your children people and stop spreading ignorance.
And better yet be kind to others. We are all doing our best for ourselves and our children and just because someone uses a different method of ideology does not give you the right to speak negatively towards them. The world is hard enough right now without that added insanity. Also little PSA western medicine has you delivering a baby on your back which is an archaic practice that came about due to King Louis XIV who liked to watch as his wives pushed out his spawn. This (Birthing position) was then adopted by western medicine at the beginning of the 18th century to make it easier for doctors to see what was happening. Meaning you are fighting gravity, denying your body the ease and ability to fully expand all because a MAN wanted to have an easier time. Enjoy your history lessons ladies and once again (DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH)
I don't want to hear personal experiences, not non-scientific research, true hard core scientific study from accredidated research company that shows that smoking weed has NO ADVERSE AFFECTS IN A FETUS. I am not holding breath, as you will not find that study as its UNETHICAL.
As I said in my OP my friend smoked through hers and REGRETED it. Baby has health issues and his brother (no weed smoking) is perfectly healthy. Mom has guilt, whether coincidental or not. She knows she exposed her baby to weed while pregnant and holds that on he shoulders - whether is was the cause or not. No study will confirm or deny her feelings.
Also, you are under the advice of a doctor. OP isn't. She also is specifically asking about smoking, so everything you said about oils and heating, etc. is completely irrelevant.
Also, for the record, I don't consume caffeine. I'm not sure why you're assuming everyone who responded to this thread does? I also don't labor or deliver on my back (and I agree with you that it's a terrible birthing position). I'm not sure how either of those things is relevant to the question at hand.
Also, +1 to everything @harpseal135 said
*Formerly LuND*
Me: 35 | DH: 37
TTC: 7/2016
Low AMH, mild MFI
BFP 7/29/17
EDD: 4/5/18
DS born 4/4/18
BFP #2 7/2/19
EDD 3/13/20
Also, is it too early to declare....