Proven birth defects from smoking marijuana?

Question

I was smoking pot very heavily when I found out I was pregnant, I told my doctor it was helping with my nausea and he okayed me smoking a little bit to help with it (crazy thing to imagine an OBGYN saying, I know), but I choose to stop smoking it. Well I haven't smoked in about 4-5 weeks and I do not plan to smoke again while pregnant or breast feeding and I am almost 19 weeks now. So basically what I want to know is have their been proven birth defects caused specifically from smoking marijuana in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy? All the studies and things I have found online are inconclusive due to the mother's doing other drugs, drinking and no consistencies in the type of harm done if there was any.

I don't need any berading for smoking it in the past, I stopped when I found out. So please just answer my question and keep any negative comments to yourself. Thanks.

Answer 1

I know several people that smoked pot heavily throughout their entire pregnancy, and one who was told by their OB to smoke one joint a day, to help with nausea and stress. All of their babies were perfectly fine. None were undeweight, none had trouble breathing (one did have merconium that had to be suctioned out, but that is common), and none had any birth defects.

One of the ones I know who smoked during pregnancy did not tell her dr., and he became worried when her blood pressure was fluctiating. He thought that there may be something wrong, but what it was was that she would smoke before some visits, and not right before others.

I don't smoke myself, and I really don't have a problem with others smoking pot, but during pregnancy, I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

If you are having bad morning sickness, and your dr. says it's okay, then go ahead and smoke a little bit, but some days, try and not smoke at all and see how you feel. I had terrible morning sickness, and people would tell me, hey, just take a couple hits and you'll feel better, but I didn't, so I don't know how much better it might've made me feel.

Congratulations on the baby, and good luck!

Answer 2

I'm glad to hear that you stopped smoking; it's the best decision for the health of your child.

To answer your question,
· Marijuana use has been linked to low birth weight and premature birth.

· Marijuana use by the mother is associated with slow embryo growth and spontaneous abortion in the early stages of pregnancy.

· Cognitive impairment due to damage to the brain (resulting in reduced intellectual ability).

· Reduces oxygen to the baby.

· THC (the active component in marijuana) passes freely through the placenta, and THC can also be passed from mother to infant through breastfeeding.

· Symptoms such as excessive trembling and withdrawal-like irritability in newborns have also been associated with heavy marijuana use by the mother.

On a brighter note, according to What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidei Murkoff, p62-63, past smoking has no present evidence that it will harm your fetus.

However, the same book says that if a woman continues to smoke, however infrequently, she is more likely to gain inadequate weight; to suffer from severe and chronic vomiting; rapid, prolonged and arrested labor; need c-section.

So I have to urge you to not smoke anymore.

Good luck on your pregnancy and I wish you a healthy baby...

Answer 3

I read somewhere once that in some cultures, it's socially acceptable for women to smoke marijuana when pregnant because it helps with the nausea. I knew a woman once who smoked both marijuana and cigarettes during her pregnancy and both of her kids appeared to be normal. However, since there is no conclusive studies that have been done, I commend your decision to stop smoking for the health of your child. In any event, you know it isn't going to help the baby and what you ingest does go straight to the fetus. But what's in the past is in the past. I strongly doubt that your actions will have any negative impact on your baby. And smoking cigarettes is probably more dangerous since they're filled with tar and God only knows what else.

Answer 4

I'm sure your baby will be fine. It's good that you chose to quit. anyway, i did read in a book that heavy marijuana use during pregnancy can cause a wide space between the eyes and some deformity to do with their eyelids. But, like i said, you quit early on so I'm sure you baby will be fine.

Answer 5

I was very young when i had my son i smoked thru most of my pregnancy. But at 23 weeks i went into early labor i stoped that day. My son was born 2 moths early and although he turned out ok i would not recomed it. Just to be on the the safe side. Not that i am saying your a bad person for doing it. I understand. But it is best for the baby not to do it. Always better to be safe then sorry also the hospital drug tested me and called social services who thrented to take my son.

Answer 6

I have witnessed long term memory birth defects into the second generation. Don't smoke weed! It causes Chromosome damage that gets passed to future generations. (yeah, yeah, they told us it was safe back in the 60's too. They lied.)

Answer 7

there are studies that have proved thc causes add,adhd,and many mental problems form mother smoking pot even years before they get pregnant! it has been linked to child hood cancer heart problems and many other things. there was a study done of all the people that done the school shootings over the years and all there parents were pot smokers.missing brain cells from pot smoking in the mother causes brain cells to not form right in the child. all you have to really do is look at the way the world has became over the years to see what pot is doing to the world to know its not good to smoke it before during or after your child is born! just the fact that you ask this quesstion should give you your answer! you are more worryed about having to stop smoking pot for 9 months while your child grows inside you. a non pot smoker would put their child before any addiction or anything at all. i feel very sorry for your children! if you are adult enough to have a child it time you stop acting like one yourself and grow up!

Answer 8

Are you asking this question to justify a lil puff now? Or are you worried about alleged damage done before you quit? If you want justification for a puff now, I feel sorry for the soul that recieves your baby's body. If you are worried about damage done in the embryo stage..... rest easy young mother. Everything will be fine.

Answer 9

I smoked when i was pregnant with my daughter. I didnt know i was pregnant til i was 10 half weeks and nothing was wrong with her i also huffed gas. The only thing that was wrong was she had low sugar level and i think that had to do with her dad bec ause he was a drug head and his other kids he had came out that way too... And she has speech therepy but thats any kid could have it

Answer 10

Someone has asked a similiar question on this site and got a lot of feedback. I would search for it, it's in these pages somewhere...