Rhianna Benson
Doctors have issued a stern warning against marijuana use during pregnancy.
The plea comes in response to a rumoured rise in women turning to cannabis to alleviate the distressing side effects of their condition.
According to new research by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (cited by Healthline), an alarming two out of five women in the US rely on weed-related products while pregnant - amongst them was Tatiana Sanchez.
In the weeks after discovering she was pregnant with her son in 2020, the 30-year-old battled severe nausea and vomiting, known medically as 'hyperemesis gravidarum'.
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Sanchez was offered Zofran by her doctor in a bid to alleviate her extreme sickness, but opted not to take it, fearing the 'potential risks during the first trimester' could 'outweigh the benefits'.
Eventually, someone finally recommended marijuana - and to her surprise, Sanchez's nausea eased up almost immediately.
Speaking to The Post, the entrepreneur recalled: "I chose to use cannabis then out of desperation, because I believed it posed fewer risks than the pharmaceuticals offered to me. Despite multiple emergency room visits and consultations, the support I received was limited."
Such was also the case for cannabis research scientist, Riley Kirk.
The 31-year-old admitted: "During my pregnancy, I chose to consume very small doses of cannabis on only a few occasions to manage persistent migraines. Even Zofran, which dissolves in the mouth, triggered vomiting.
"Inhaling cannabis vapour was the only method my body could tolerate, and it provided near-instant relief."
Sanchez and Kirk aren't the only mums who've hailed weed as having eased the frustrating symptoms of pregnancy - for Sophie Watkins, it was all about relieving her stress.
"I was struggling with nausea, restless legs syndrome and high stress," the health and life coach, 36, also told the news outlet. "Cannabis, in micro-doses, was the one thing that consistently brought me relief without the heavy side effects of other pharmaceuticals."
The controversial trend has even resulted in the hashtags #cannamama, #plantmom and #gardenmommy doing the rounds on social media.
In light of the claims made by these 'cannamoms', however, several doctors and health bodies are emphasising the potential risks that come with smoking weed while expecting.
Over 51 studies (cited by JAMA Paediatrics) involving a surplus of 21 million pregnant women linked marijuana to a number of health issues for the unborn baby, including decreased foetal development, low birth weight, early deliveries and death.
This is because the active ingredient, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and other chemicals contained in weed, which alter the way a person's brain works, can pass through the placenta to your baby during pregnancy.
There's also the fact that cannabis isn't an FDA-regulated product.
On this, reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist, Dr Esther Chung, explained: "Doses and labels can be unreliable. For those reasons, the ACOBG consensus is that no proven benefit outweighs the risks."
According to experts at the fertility charity March of Dimes, weed can also affect a person's fertility, making it hard for women to become pregnant, due to changes in hormone levels while high.
The group also cited studies that allege marijuana causes an increased risk of a severe neural tube defect called anencephaly. These conditions rob babies of major parts of the brain, skull and scalp, many of whom don't survive for very long after birth.
Long-term physical effects on the mother could also include chronic bronchitis, a persistent cough, lung inflammation, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and a heightened potential for stroke or heart attack, as per the NHS.
Brain scans also show that chronic marijuana use can trigger several psychological issues, including coordination problems, attention issues, impaired judgement, low mental health, poor memory and a tainted sensory perception.
A number of ex-smokers have spoken out, encouraging other pregnant women to quit while they can.
One anonymous Reddit claimed she observed her unborn baby's movement changing and his shape growing after she gave up cannabis at 24-weeks.
"I found out I was pregnant in late August and just quit last week. I am 24 weeks pregnant, and my baby's movement has been night and day. Before, he'd move when I was quietly lying down," she wrote.
"Now, he tumbles all over all day. It could be just his size increasing. I can say 100% the day I stopped is the day I noticed this change. His growth has been perfect; in fact, he's one day larger than previously thought. I only share because I looked for excuses to continue."
Another user recalled the heartache endured by her sister recently.
"My sister continued to smoke throughout her pregnancy, and my niece, unfortunately, was a very low birth weight with a calcified placenta," she explained. "My niece has many behavioural issues that could be linked to this. My sister really struggles with my niece a lot. She is now 6.
"What’s done is done. But it absolutely BAFFLES me when people continue to smoke very well knowing the very real side effects you could be causing your child.
"There is always a 'what if' she had not smoked throughout her pregnancy, how her daughter could have ended up."
A third also claimed: "I have an acquaintance who is very open about smoking throughout her last pregnancy. Her son has several language and motor delays. Not saying that her using while pregnant was the reason, but if it was me I would blame myself entirely.
"I smoked daily for over 10 years and quit once I found out I was pregnant. It sucked 100%. But I knew if anything went wrong with the pregnancy or after birth, I would totally feel guilty forever."