Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby’s health. The chemicals in marijuana (in particular, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) pass through your system to your baby and can negatively affect your baby’s development.
Although more research is needed to better understand how marijuana may affect you and your baby during pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends against using marijuana during your pregnancy.
What are the potential health effects of using marijuana during my pregnancy?
- Some research shows that using marijuana while you are pregnant can cause health problems in newborns— including low birth weight and developmental problems.
- Breathing marijuana smoke can also be bad for you and your baby. Marijuana smoke has many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke and may increase the chances for developmental problems in your baby.
Can using marijuana during my pregnancy negatively impact my baby after birth?
- Research shows marijuana use during pregnancy may make it hard for your child to pay attention or to learn, these issues may only become noticeable as your child grows older.
Does using marijuana affect breastfeeding?
- Chemicals from marijuana can be passed to your baby through breast milk. THC is stored in fat and is slowly released over time, meaning an infant could be exposed for a longer period of time.
- However, data on the effects of marijuana exposure to the infant through breastfeeding are limited and conflicting.
- To limit potential risk to the infant, breastfeeding mothers should reduce or avoid marijuana use.