Pregnancy and Cannabis

Mama nature is correct, studies show that cannabis is NOT harmful to phoetuses/embryos, much in the same way that it is not harmful to the adults that smoke it. All the associated behaviours which have been mentioned have a vast array of determining factors, mostly outside of drug consumption.

The high effect from weed comes from an increase in the blood flow to the membrane around your brain, arguably a healthy result for a chemical to have on the human body as this encourages brain cell production. Cannabis contains little or no toxins, which can not be said for the majority of drugs currently used in the medical industry, including those given to pregnant women. It might be worth considering that a woman can deliver far more toxins to her child by walking down a busy New York street in rush hour, something which many pregnant women do without a second thought, than she can by smoking a cigarette or joint.

It seems that people are stuck in the old "drugs are bad so pregnant women shouldn't be doing them" mindset (the only reason I can see for a negative response) as opposed to weighing up the scientific conclusions, as is so common in our arrogant, self-serving society. I would, however, recommend eating as opposed to smoking (for those that say this is more intense: eat less, duh) as the smoke DOES contain a small amount of toxins, carcinogenic and otherwise. Also, when you eat it the active chemicals are released steadily into the bloodstream, as opposed to immediately by smoking (the most intense bombardment being the bong or pipe as opposed to a joint). Cannabis contains over 600 therapeutically active substances and we discover more and more of its benefits every day.

So, in conclusion: There is no evidence to support the fact that you could harm a child by administering cannabis to the mother and, apart from its direct medicinal properties, the stress relief and release of positive brain proteins and chemicals in the mother could benefit the child immensely.

 

Yes, but is there any evidence to suggest that it's good for your unborn baby? I think all potential parents want what's best for their child, not simply what "doesn't suggest to be detrimental."

Edit: just saw the stress-relief for the mother part...while I agree with that, I think the above statement still needed to be said.

 

You put that in quotation marks, who exactly are you quoting?

The same question is not usually asked about certain types of cheeses. Or walking around in rush hour, which I already mentioned. Or walking up stairs unassisted. Or drinking tap water. Or not using the imagination and reasoning centres of the brain. Or spending too much time alone. You know, normal stuff that isn't illegal but could be potentially lethal or extremely damaging to or hinder the development of the adults of the future. As far as science shows us, cannabis should be among the least of a pregnant woman's worries these days.

Take the therapeutic effects of cannabis, a couple of which I mentioned. Apply those that can be applied to the baby, which will be most of them. From dialation of blood vessels to virus killing (THC kills herpes on contact) to pain relief, if there are any detrimental effects (which there are none as far as I know) then they are probably vastly outweighed by the positives. At the end of the day, the substances you absorb from cannabis ARE NOT toxins, so can't be very bad for you or your unborn baby.

 

I'd also like to add that while doctors prescribe many drugs to pregnant women that arte FAR more harmful than canabis, people are more willing to read the EXACT SAME or very similar explanation as to how studies show something to not be harmful to the baby etc etc... yet cnnot read the same facts and accept that cnabis does not harm babies SIMPLY BECAUSE it's a "street drug" or because of it's stereotypical "labels"

I'm not even for OR against it I'm just VERY aginst the whole "Doctors are god" mentality that is assumed by most people these days... it sickens me...
society these days is SO geared away from the natural way of life, from natural remedies, natural medicine, and especially natural birth... I'm soon due to have my first baby and the walls I'm up against in the medical community and in the hospital setting just so I can give birth THE WAY BIRTH IS MEANT TO HAPPEN, NATURALLY... is unbelievable! (no I cannot have a midwife or homebirth, there are no midwives in my province and being canadin, the hospital is free and if there WERE a midwife avilable, her fees would be out of my reach...)

Personally... I strongly believe that standards or health care nad the way that healt care is viewed SERIOUSLY needs to change!

just my opinion...
lol

 

Sorry, I was quoting it because it's a phrase doctors often use.
While I understand where you're coming from, I Think it's a little foolish to compare walking up the stairs to tokin while prego. I'm not at all disagreeing with the fact that doctors tend to say "don't do this, don't do that" way to much in reference to pregnant women, but I think that's more of a cover your ass type thing. I'm simply saying that a woman has to fully weigh the benefits as well as the consequences and decide for herself what is best in her situation. I am in no way condoning a woman who has stress levels through the roof who chooses to toke up to chill out. I do however think it is completely irresponsible to do it simply to get high while a helpless being is depending on you in every way possible. I find it hard to believe that cannabis is actually good for a fetus.

Ps...Mamma nature, I tend to agree with you.

 

I got pregnant when I was 20. Quit cigs before I even found out because smoking them made me barf.

I was not expecting to get pregnant, my boyfriend and I had discussed abortion in the Past and I had essentially agreed that, if I were to get pregnant, I'd get an abortion.

The very first thought I had when I saw the positive pregnancy test was, "I can't have an abortion" My bf at first felt like I was going back on my word, but after much discussion, we agreed on an open adoption.

Throughout my pregnancy I smoked weed. Never had more than one tiny hit and didn't hold it. It helped with my back/hip pain and I think it just helped the whole pregnancy feel like less of a 'sacrifice'

I was not worried about it, I was more concerned about eating healthy and balanced meals.

I found out that people were talking about me 'doing drugs while pregnant'

Those self-riteous judgemental jerks. Spreading rumors (several people I heard this from didn't even know what 'drugs' I was using: I didn't touch any drugs or alcohol) and I was getting snubbed by friends and lectured by aqaintances...

And doctors are full of shit. Why'd they shoot me with narcotics that had me shaking and puking while delivering? And they shot me up with that stuff that induces labor because my contractions weren't strong enough.

If anybody shocked my baby's little body with drugs it was those damn doctors.

Anyway, she's 7 now, living with her upper-middle-class family and reading/testing at stellar levels.

 

Why do you find it hard? Probably lack of understanding and the conditioning that you have been subjected to up to this point in your life to associate drugs with being bad for you and your baby. The scientific evidence tells us that pot is not harmful to us, it is beneficial to us. Speaking rather broadly, what is good for you is good for your baby.

When ideas like this are approached with no bias and the credible (by that I mean supported in the scientific world) data is summarised, the outcome usually points to positives. Many people are unable to take this approach with their current world view and mental toolset, so the reality will not matter, only belief prevails.

On the flip side, I'm willing to accept that my perspective is wrong. I used to believe that this was a bad and harmful activity whether pregnant or not, despite being a regular user. After educating myself and comparing the available information, the result was a turnaround in my view, all of a sudden it became a perfectly healthy choice. Perhaps that perspective will be changed again, who can tell?

 

Will it help if I told you I weighed the risks in my own pregnancy and decided that it was worth it? I feel like you're making an unfair judgement on my beliefs.

Edit: I researched every possible aspect at the time too.

 

First, I'm a big advocate of drugs, period. They're my hobby, and I love them.

Second, science as you describe it (ie. what level your kid reads at) may not argue against cannabis during pregnancy. I personally have observed, both in kids who where exposed before birth and too early in life after birth, that cannabis is detrimental to the personality of children. all that de-motovational shit is true. It makes them illogical lazy untrustworthy little shits, even if they can read and add like computers.

I know at least one person who's mother smoked while pregnant, and a handful who smoked a few years younger than I did. I can't stand any of them, they're unintelligent jerks in everyday conversation, but they're all geniuses if you look at test scores.

 

Oh, yes, it's all because of cannabis, there's no point considering any other environmental factor at all, everyone's attitude in life is determined by the amount of drugs they consume. How could I be so silly and forget that? Maybe you should do some research and actually find out what causes behaviour, instead of pretending your imagination is fact?

What about the HUGE amount of children globally that are exposed to cannabis and have no behavioural problems?

How about the fact that, before becoming illegal, cannabis was as high as the third most used medicine in the western world? INCLUDING THOSE ADMINISTERED TO CHILDREN. It was also sold over the counter to all ages as a tonic in many different forms for many uses, including increasing vitality.

Get your facts straight, you're being arrogant. Maybe there's a chance that over a century of scientific research could provide more insight than your narrow perspective?

 

You have no clue how many people do or do not have behavior problems, because you'd like to imagine thta cannabis is harmless.

As far as that scientific research goes, it shows that other than lung problems (obviously avoidable) cannabis does not hurt adults. And it also clearly shows ALL kinds of serious problems that are considerably more likely in children that use cannabis, and that are progressively worse and more likely the younger those children use cannabis. And then there's the fact that I was one of the "cannabis is harmless" children, and what I've seen has lead me to actually revise my opinions towards moderation, from quite the opposite.

Again, you can call my viewpoint narrow all you want, but just because it doesn't play nice with your view doesn't make it narrow. In my opinion, I have a rather wide view of drugs and drug users.

Pot's less harmful than aspirin. And you sure as fuck shouldn't give children aspirin either.

And then we get back to the whole aspect of marijuana being a powerful psychedelic drug. You have no right to dose a human, regardless of age, with a psychedelic without their knowledge. That's like slipping acid in someone's coffee. It doesn't take a study to show that it's not healthy to have a psychedelic head change without knowing why, no matter how old you are. But I'm sure there are still studies that show it.

 

I will say again, you need to go and research what causes various behaviour and behavioural problems. You seem to think that the use of cannabis induces some sort of anti-social behaviour, which is the propaganda employed by the US government to criminalise the herb in the first place. Look at inequality, being poor, exposure to undue levels of sex and violence, attention sapping media, consumerism and poor diet. I think you'll find that they are far more likely to cause unlikable behaviour than weed. You seem to be talking in BS.

Seriously, go and look up the medical uses of cannabis and which conditions it has been used to treat (the list includes LUNG PROBLEMS like asthma).

And why shouldn't you give aspirin to children??? The main (and pretty much only) effect of aspirin is to "thin" the blood and is beneficial and non-toxic (it's a natural product derived from tree bark) in small doses. You seriously need to start backing yourself up, you're seeming dumber with each post, in my eyes. Maybe it's all that weed you smoke?

Powerful... psychadelic...????? Maybe if you eat a well prepared ounce...? You are making me laugh now, child. Did you teach yourself or did some fundamentalist preacher/government agent handing out leaflets on a corner imbue you with yourb knowledge? Comparing weed to acid is like comparing squirting someone with a water pistol to firing a rocket launcher at them.