There is no doubt that cannabidiol (CBD) has become one of the most sought-after products in the natural remedy space. Its many health benefits, some backed by science, have raised its profile recently.
As a result, many people are turning to this nature-based solution for their ailments.
However, is CBD for everyone? Specifically, can a pregnant woman take CBD?
Read on as we answer the questions you have when it comes to taking CBD while pregnant.
Is CBD bad for pregnant women?
CBD is one of the two primary cannabinoids. Together with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they are the most studied and well-known chemical compounds of cannabis.
As researchers learn more about CBD and its immense benefits, its acceptance among the general population has gone up considerably. For example, a 2020 SingleCare survey showed that one-third of Americans had used CBD.1
Another Gallup poll indicated that 64% of American adults "were familiar with CBD." Therefore, there is no question that cannabidiol is a fast-growing alternative health trend in many western countries.2
You may be wondering whether you could use CBD during pregnancy. After all, it has not been shown to have any adverse effects on humans, right? Well, hold on.
To start, the FDA strongly warns against the use of this compound while pregnant or nursing.3
Medical experts are equally reluctant to sanction its use among pregnant women, primarily due to a lack of research evidence on its effects on the unborn child. As a result, medical practitioners propose it is better to err on the side of caution.
The little we know about CBD's effect on pregnancy is gleaned from a study investigating CBD's effects on pregnant animals. The researchers noted that high CBD doses in pregnant test animals caused reproductive system problems in developing male fetuses.4
With the proliferation of CBD products on the market, regulatory bodies like FDA are concerned that quality may be an issue. A recent lab data analysis showed that 25% of CBD products were untested.5
The contaminants included trace metals, microbial contaminants, pesticide residue, and THC. Naturally, you don't want to expose your unborn child to these toxic compounds.
In case, you’re wondering, all Chill Frog CBD products are third-party tested for quality, safety, and proper dosing. Our test results are published openly on our website for consumers to review.
Can a pregnant woman take CBD?
What do professionals say?
Many, if not all, medical professionals express concern and are reluctant to recommend CBD for pregnant women. This is due, in part, to limited knowledge of the precise action mechanisms of CBD and an existing body of research that suggests that cannabinoids could be harmful to mothers and their unborn babies.6
There are no longitudinal research findings shedding light on what happens years after one uses CBD while pregnant. This is a fact that any woman using or intending to use CBD must consider in their decisions.
It has been shown that CBD can react with other medications and affect the intended effect of these medicines. Moreover, CBD can potentially cause some side effects. The most common have been diarrhea, appetite changes, and fatigue.
So the main concern with CBD stems from the lack of conclusive research on its impact on fetal development and health. The philosophy seems to be that ‘just because there is nothing negative does not mean it is positive.’
Can pregnant women drink CBD?
The straightforward answer to this question is NO.
Many organizations do not support the use of CBD by pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) expressly prohibits using CBD for therapeutic or medicinal purposes during and after pregnancy during lactation.
The main reason is that reports have shown that THC can cross the placenta and end up in breast milk. It may potentially interfere with brain development in babies and cause stillbirth at 20 weeks or beyond during gestation.7
Given the close similarity in chemical composition between CBD and THC, ACOG says it would be premature to suppose that CBD would react differently. Unless you are using a pure CBD extract, it is not easy to say whether the CBD product you are using does not contain THC.
Many CBD products have been tested to reveal THC amounts surpassing the 0.3% legal limit. Since the FDA does not regulate CBD products, it is not easy to ascertain their purity unless third-party testing is available.
It is understandable why a soon-to-be-mom would perk up when CBD's anti-nausea and pain relief properties are fronted. However, Catherine Monk, a Ph.D. holder and professor of medical psychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, argues that there is insufficient data to determine whether it is safe.8
Although conventional medicines may also have side effects, at least they have been studied, so medical caregivers know what to expect.
Can pregnant women eat CBD?
Pregnant women are advised not to use CBD in any form or shape. As has been mentioned throughout this article, the effect of CBD on unborn babies is largely unknown.
Therefore, until further studies on CBD provide more insight, it is best to keep off CBD if you are pregnant.
Bottom Line
Medical experts strongly caution against using cannabis during pregnancy, at least for now. At Chill Frog CBD, we would rather err on the side of caution, so we agree with the medical professionals and the FDA on this issue.
As always, before taking any new medication or supplement, we highly recommend talking to a healthcare professional for guidance.
Sources
- Team, S. C. (2023, January 24). The 2020 CBD survey. The Checkup. Retrieved from https://www.singlecare.com/blog/cbd-survey/
- Cowee, Maggie. “Gallup Poll Finds Younger Americans More Confident in CBD Health Benefits.” Hemp Industry Daily, 10 July 2019, https://hempindustrydaily.com/gallup-poll-younger-americans-more-confident-in-cbd-health-benefits/.
- Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). What you should know about using CBD when pregnant or breastfeeding. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding
- Editor. Is CBD oil safe during pregnancy? American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved from https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/cbd-oil-during-pregnancy/
- Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). Warning letters and test results for cannabidiol-related products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/warning-letters-and-test-results-cannabidiol-related-products
- 10 prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal exposure to cannabis - NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425751/
- Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). What you should know about using CBD when pregnant or breastfeeding. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding