Marijuana Use During Pregnancy - Effects, Prevention, and Treatment

Introduction

Marijuana drug consumption has exponentially increased over the years in many countries. People have become addicted to its usage in cigarettes, pipe blunts, and edibles such as cookies, brownies, tea, and many more because this drug stimulates Dopamine chemicals in the brain, producing euphoric and relaxed feelings.

Pregnant or lactating women using marijuana can seriously affect a newborn's health. Various studies have discussed the harmful effects and consequences of consuming marijuana during pregnancy and lactating, affecting both mother and child's health. Therefore, though it is also used for some medicinal purposes, its consumption during pregnancy is strictly not recommended.

What Is Marijuana, Cannabis, or Weed?

Marijuana is obtained from the dried stem, leaves, and flowers of the plant Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. This plant contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a chemical that alters the brain and nervous system. Marijuana extract includes hash oil, honey oil, the wax used in lip balms, etc. Higher use of the chemical THC increases the risk of drug addiction if a person consumes drugs regularly, having both physical and mental effects on the body.

What Are the Common Names Used for Marijuana?

• Weed.

• Cannabis.

• Joint.

• Ganja.

• Hash.

• Bhang.

• Charas.

What Could Be the Reason for Marijuana Use in Pregnancy?

The prevalence of cannabis use in pregnancy is difficult to determine. However, it is on the rise among pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. According to US surveys, pregnant women who use cannabis do it to reduce stress, anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, those who believe cannabis has health benefits might want to or be inspired to keep using it during pregnancy and lactation. One effective way to reduce possible harm is through counseling that looks at the reasons patients are thinking about using cannabis and offers alternatives or harm-reduction techniques.

What Are the Effects of Marijuana on Pregnant Mothers?

• Reduced placental circulation.

• High risk of anemia.

• Increased heart rate.

• Decrease in blood pressure.

• Dizziness and confusion.

• Hallucinations.

• Vomiting and dehydration.

• Lung damage causes breathing issues.

• Impaired memory.

• Senses get altered.

How Does Marijuana Affect Pregnancy?

• Stillbirths - Loss of pregnancy or miscarriage after the 20th week due to lifestyle choices or other reasons.

• Premature Births - This occurs when the delivery occurs three weeks before the due date of pregnancy, and the baby is not fully matured, with higher risks of complications.

• Fetal Growth Stagnation - This happens when a baby weighs less than the average weight, which is five pounds, eight ounces. It can happen at any stage during pregnancy, and the fetus does grow well.

• Brain Development Problems - The brain does not develop appropriately in newborns.

• Anemia - This happens when babies do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen in the body.

• Congenital Abnormalities - The congenital disability or disorder caused during pregnancy in the fetus or later life after birth.

How Does Marijuana Affect Lactation?

Breastfeeding is essential for an infant's health to fulfill nutritional needs. So, Marijuana usage during the lactation period is not safe for the baby. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) in weed or marijuana gets mixed in the breast milk, passes into the newborn's body, and has long-term effects. It also affects the quality and quantity of milk produced and has brain development disorders.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Marijuana?

• Chronic bronchitis and other respiratory infections.

• Cardiac arrest due to increased heart rate after prolonged smoking.

• Chronic psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.

• Driving ability also gets impaired.

• Frequent withdrawal symptoms.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain and Other Senses?

Marijuana or any drug alters the senses by disturbing the signaling process in the brain and how nerve cells (neurons) communicate. As soon as the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana is smoked, it enters the lungs. Then, the bloodstream carries it to the brain and other body organs, immediately producing an effect lasting for a few hours. It makes a person confused, lacking concentration and evident decision-making power.

The brain already has cannabinoid receptors that get activated by THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which activates the endocannabinoid system, a part of the communication system in the brain. It releases Dopamine which produces a sense of pleasure and reward.

What Are Preventive Measures to Quit Marijuana Before Pregnancy?

• Before and during pregnancy, a good medical history of women before and during pregnancy should be taken by the doctor to know about marijuana usage or any other drug abuse.

• In detail, the doctor must thoroughly counsel those reporting any history of marijuana, smoking, or drinking about the after-effects and consequences of drug abuse during pregnancy.

• Doctors can also motivate and guide them properly to stop using these drugs for their health and the newborn's safety and discourage them from using such drugs shortly.

• They should be educated adequately about drug detoxification and psychological counseling options as part of the de-addiction and treatment programs.

How Is Marijuana Addiction Treated?

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This psychotherapy helps people understand their underlying behavior, thought process, or mood and enhances their self-control power to stop using drugs. It helps a person deal with uncontrollable negative thoughts leading to anxiety and depression.

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy: It is a type of counseling for a person which could motivate them to change internally through their own will. This therapy does not usually treat a person but motivates them for a positive change. The treatment is also used for people showing self-destructive behavior.

• Contingency Management: This therapy is used in cases of substance use to give people rewards and incentives for showing positive behavioral changes after monitoring their behavior repeatedly. In this therapy, a motivational reward or prize is given to a person for achieving a specific treatment goal in the substance use de-addiction process to motivate their willpower.

Conclusion:

Cannabis or marijuana consumption has shown some evident fetal growth abnormalities and developmental issues and deformities in various studies. Women addicted to weed consumption in any form during pregnancy do not prove safe for the child and their health. Obstetrician-gynecologists do not advise marijuana to pregnant women, women planning for a baby, or during lactation. Therefore, drug-abuse women should be given proper knowledge about its complications in pregnancy and must be discouraged from marijuana during pregnancy. Moreover, one must counsel or offer help to people around us addicted to its usage and make them understand its long-term effects on their well-being.