{"id":20000,"date":"2025-10-18T16:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T15:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=20000"},"modified":"2026-01-11T18:04:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T17:04:24","slug":"protecting-mothers-and-infants-what-you-need-to-know-about-cannabis-use-and-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2025\/10\/protecting-mothers-and-infants-what-you-need-to-know-about-cannabis-use-and-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Mothers and Infants: What You Need to Know About Cannabis Use and Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Received: 09 October 2025\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released new clinical consensus guidance recommending universal screening for cannabis use across all reproductive stages\u2014pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum\u2014with a clear message: there is no safe level of cannabis use for mothers or infants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite mounting evidence of risk, cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation is increasing, fueled by legalization, social acceptance, and a lowered perception of harm. ACOG emphasizes that no medical indications exist for cannabis use during pregnancy or after birth.<\/span><\/p>\n

To support prevention and care, ACOG\u2019s clinical consensus on Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation provides evidence-based guidelines for screening, counseling, and reducing use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below are key takeaways from ACOG\u2019s new clinical consensus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risks to Fetus and Newborn<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 THC, the psychoactive component, crosses the placenta and reaches the fetus; THC also transfers into breast milk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increased risk of low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age infants, NICU admission, perinatal mortality<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Altered neonatal behaviors (arousal, regulation, excitability)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Possible long-term neurocognitive, behavioral, and memory challenges, ADHD, and greater susceptibility to psychiatric disorders or substance use later in life<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While more research is needed, existing evidence shows clear cause for concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risks During Lactation<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Data on cannabis use while breastfeeding are limited; ACOG discourages use during lactation due to THC transfer into breast milk and potential developmental impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Clinicians should encourage cessation while continuing to support breastfeeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommendations for Clinicians<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Universal Screening & Counseling<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Screen all patients (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, postpartum) via interview or validated tools (e.g. TAPS, CRAFFT, S2BI).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Avoid biologic testing (urine, hair, etc.) as a routine screening tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Educate that cannabis has no medical indication during pregnancy or postpartum.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Advise Cessation or Reduction<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Encourage patients to stop or reduce cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, offering nonjudgmental support.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Supportive Behavior Change Strategies<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Use motivational interviewing, address social determinants, and identify barriers to quitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Provide access to home visits, CBT, and digital or text-based supports for behavior change.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Legal, Ethical, and Equity Considerations<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Policies on drug testing, child protective services (CPS) reporting, and criminalization vary widely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Black and minority birthing people are disproportionately subject to drug testing and CPS referrals, despite similar substance use rates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Clinicians should ensure informed consent, understand local policies, and work to reduce bias in maternal care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source: Drug Free America Foundation | 333 3rd Avenue N Ste 200 7278280211101 | Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 US<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Received: 09 October 2025\u00a0 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released new clinical consensus guidance recommending universal screening for cannabis use across all reproductive stages\u2014pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum\u2014with a clear message: there is no safe level of cannabis use for mothers or infants. Despite mounting evidence of risk, cannabis use during pregnancy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,41,36,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cannabis-marijuana","category-drug-use-effects-on-foetus","category-treatment-addiction","category-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20000"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20000\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20003,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20000\/revisions\/20003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}