CBD in pregnant women

Cannabidiol, known by the acronym CBD, is a compound found in cannabis. But unlike its famous cousin THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) with its psychotropic effects, CBD is not psychoactive. Numerous clinical studies have shown that this active ingredient has therapeutic properties. Sold in the form of CBD oils, cosmetic creams, or CBD sweets, some pregnant women continue to use it during pregnancy to prevent nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and depression. But is this a good idea? Can CBD affect the health of the foetus, baby, or mother? Let’s take a look at the link between CBD and pregnant women.

CBD for pregnant women: what does the science say?

Studies on CBD (both national and global) are relatively recent and ongoing. We still have little experience with CBD. As far as pregnancy is concerned, the scientific community has different views: some experts say that CBD should not be used during pregnancy, while others consider the risk to be low. However, as CBD’s impact on the health of mothers-to-be and infants has not been definitively established, caution should be exercised with regard to its use, especially if you have a history of illness. Long-term effects are still not fully understood, and potentially dangerous scenarios may occur. CBD contains various compounds, such as terpenes, and a very low dose of THC. Even when present in small quantities, this compound could pose a risk to the embryo: it can cross the placenta and damage its development.

The ban on smoking CBD during pregnancy

If one thing is certain, it’s that smoking CBD during pregnancy is prohibited! Smoking poses many risks to pregnant women. Through this method of consumption, CBD in pregnant women can trigger certain conditions in newborns: premature birth, risk of sudden infant death syndrome, malformation of the bronchi and lungs, asthma, allergies, etc. Even if these risks cannot be directly attributed to cannabidiol, it is tobacco consumption which is associated with them and which is dangerous. You should also be careful to avoid passive smoking: the smoke from burning products will enter pregnant women’s lungs. So, for a problem-free pregnancy, stick to the following rules: no alcohol, no smoking, and no cannabis.

How does CBD affect pregnancy?

Even minute traces of THC

To understand what impact CBD may have on pregnant women, you must have an understanding of how it impacts the body in general. During pregnancy, the expectant mothers’ bodies change and anything that they consume may affect the unborn child. Vitamins, rest, diet, medication, alcohol, stress, anxiety: these are all factors that can affect the birth. And taking CBD during pregnancy is no exception: even though it is a 100% natural plant compound, traces of THC may remain in end products sold to mothers. In France, it is perfectly legal to sell CBD products with less than 0.2% THC. But these small amounts, accumulated over time, can have a negative impact on pregnancy. A recent study in mice showed that THC inhibits the development of embryos as it is a developmental neurotoxin.

Impact on the endocannabinoid system

In addition, the use of CBD in pregnant women is not recommended as it affects the endocannabinoid system. Due to cell regulation and cannabinoid processes, this system is crucial for the early development of the foetus, but also for the growth of the child throughout pregnancy. Therefore, it is impossible to guarantee the absence of negative side effects.

The alleged benefits of CBD for pregnant women

This part of the article is not intended to encourage expectant mothers to take CBD, but rather to give you an overview of the issue of CBD in pregnant women. Many articles and texts regarding the benefits of CBD for expectant mothers are circulating on the Internet:

• CBD is believed to reduce morning sickness;
• CBD may alleviate pain;
• CBD is believed to relieve anxiety;
• CBD may help combat
• insomnia;
• CBD may reduce the risk of depression.

The issue here is not really whether these claims are true or not, but rather to careful of associated side effects: it is still possible to enjoy all the benefits of CBD whether you are pregnant or not. But the difference is that you don’t just have to worry about your own health, but also the health of the baby. And again, it is impossible to guarantee that there will be no side effects when pregnant women take CBD.

Can you use CBD and breastfeed?

What about breastfeeding? After giving birth, if you decide to breastfeed your newborn, you should continue to monitor your consumption of certain foods and drinks as the nutrients they contain can pass into the milk and subsequently consumed by the baby. The various studies on cannabis use and breastfeeding focus on THC: breastfeeding and smoking cannabis is strongly not recommended. As for CBD, nothing is known for sure. However, as cannabidiol still contains THC (which can remain in breast milk for up to 6 days after consumption), consuming CBD while breastfeeding is not recommended. Again, don’t take any risks when it comes to your baby’s health.

Can we trust products labelled “0% THC”?

There are CBD brands on the market that offer lab-tested products which guarantee that they contain 0% THC. This is tempting for expectant mothers who are used to CBD and wish to continue using it during their pregnancy. However, caution should be exercised: THC is quite difficult to extract from CBD, which is why governments allow a limit of 0.2% THC in products sold. It is hard to guarantee that all THC has been removed from CBD. Before consuming any product, we advise that you speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional. They will be able to assess CBD oil (or products in other forms) and provide you with their expertise. In addition, this can be very helpful in finding an alternative that is both effective and safe for your baby!

CBD and pregnancy: a good or bad idea?

Despite some studies and positive views on the use of CBD during pregnancy, the scientific community’s feedback is not enough. It is best not to take any risks so as not to affect the health of the mother or the embryo. Even if some mothers-to-be take CBD for medical purposes and there are no contraindications for doing so, we don’t have enough information on the subject and we recommend that you exercise caution: avoid CBD during your pregnancy! Although CBD seems to be the perfect natural solution to the uncomfortable pains experienced during pregnancy, the lack of research into the potential side effects of THC on the development of the baby means that there is a lack of scientific consensus or peace of mind.