September 20, 2014 - Life with Gremlins

Marijuana During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Most women that become pregnant are well aware they need to eat right. They know they need to stop drinking alcohol, and they know they should probably stop smoking cigarettes. However, many women are not sure if marijuana during pregnancy is safe and whether their continued use is a risk to their baby or a benefit. The new mother grapevine is ripe with conflicting information on marijuana during pregnancy. This article will look at the actual documented studies on the various effects of marijuana on pregnancy in plain terms so new parents can make an informed decision. Any and all studies mentioned in this piece will be sourced. The effects of marijuana while breastfeeding will not be covered in this article, but can be read in this sister article on

Marijuana during pregnancy’s effect on length of pregnancy and preterm birth:

All studies on this subject found agree that heavy marijuana use during pregnancy does shorten gestational length by anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks possibly resulting in preterm birth. Light or occasional use was not shown to have the same effect. Some studies found this result only in women of Caucasian decent. Heavy marijuana use was also found to increase bleeding in the third trimester and the rate of placenta abruption as a cause of preterm labor in one study.

Marijuana during pregnancy and pregnancy symptoms:

Studies have found that marijuana may be effective in treating typical banes of pregnancy. In one study, 92 percent of pregnant women that used marijuana reported a drastic improvement in morning sickness vomiting (75 percent), overall nausea (93 percent) and improved appetite (95 percent). Women who used marijuana for morning sickness also reported using it to alleviate pain, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety. The attached studies do not reveal whether marijuana is effective for these uses. However, studies done on marijuana use in other applications to help with these same symptoms showed positive results.Marijuana has been shown not to affect any hormones present in pregnancy.

Marijuana during pregnancy’s effect on labor and delivery:

Few studies could be found on this subject. One study found confirmed that marijuana use during pregnancy may increase the rate of labor complications about 8 percent, shorten the duration of labor (which can lead to complications) by 5 percent and increase the rate of meconium staining by 4 percent.(the release of your baby’s first poop into the amniotic fluid.) Another found a slight increase in the rate of still births in heavy marijuana users.

Marijuana during pregnancy’s effect on newborn size:

Studies found on the effect of marijuana on newborn size and growth are conflicting. Many studies found a decrease in fetal growth in heavy marijuana users. Some of these studies found marijuana use to only be one factor in low birth weight that was dependent on other variables. Other studies found no difference in birth weight or that effects were only present in women of Caucasian decent. These effects may be a result of the increased chance for preterm labor in marijuana users.Overall fetal length was not found to be effected in any of the cited studies.

Marijuana during pregnancy’s effect on newborn neurological and psychological development:

While early studies found that marijuana use during pregnancy did affect apgar and neuro-behavioral performance, a newer study done in Jamaica found that in cultures such as Jamaica where marijuana use is normal and not indicative of other negative factors such as poverty, other drug use, lesser education and unemployment these effects were not present. This same study found an improvement in overall intelligence and sociological development by 1 month in age. It’s suggested this result may also be a result of other factors. A way to study neurological and psychological effects of marijuana during pregnancy that is not influenced by other factors has yet to be found.

Marijuana’s effect on newborn physical development:

Surprisingly, very few studies could be found on this subject. Some suggested studies have been done on animals that revealed no effects of marijuana on the fetus despite THC crossing over through the placenta. The possibility of DNA mutation is, however, mentioned. These studies could not be found to be cited. Two studies did find an increase in severe birth malformations including congenital hip dislocation and cleft lip or palate. In infrequent use these effects were not found. There was not an increase in minor birth defects. Both studies suggest other factors play a role in the increase of major birth defects as a result of marijuana during pregnancy. The second study found when other factors were subtracted these rates were insignificant.

Conclusion: Is it safe to use marijuana during pregnancy?

The above information should be interrupted and analyzed on an individual basis by each parent. One study did find the majority of studies done (many of which are listed here) may be flawed due to the inaccuracy of self-reported use. In many areas testing was insufficient to provide a definitive answer either way on the effects of marijuana during pregnancy. As a parent myself, I would suggest that the possible detriments of heavy marijuana use during pregnancy at least outweigh those of the benefits, while occasional use could likely prove beneficial in cases such as extreme morning sickness.

Marijuana: Breastfeeding Safe? Unbiased Facts

With many states considering the legalization of marijuana, breastfeeding mothers may be wondering if they can smoke marijuana while breastfeeding. As a breastfeeding mother from one of the only states that does have and has had legalized recreational in-home use of marijuana, (Alaska) this is not a question that had occurred to me, but one I have heard often.

Do doctors deem marijuana breastfeeding safe?

The jury is out on this one so to speak. There is no doubt that when a mother consumes marijuana in any way, the THC, or active ingredient, is afterward present in the infant’s urine and feces for up to three weeks from one use. What doctors seem torn about is whether this transference causes determent to the baby. Most doctors at this current time take a similar stance to whether marijuana use while breastfeeding to that of breastfeeding while smoking tobacco. It is best to stop, okay to slow use, and may be unhealthy to use heavily.

What effects could marijuana use while breastfeeding cause?

There have actually been studies done on the subject. Marijuana has been shown to decrease milk supply in mothers due to lowered levels of the hormone that causes lactation. Marijuana has also been shown to cause sedation, lethargy, and weak feeding in infants with regular use. The combination of the two could cause weight gain or other health issues in your baby.

One study found that babies that were exposed to marijuana during early developmental stages (to be exact before 3 months of age) by breastfeeding mothers showed poor gross motor development by one year of age. Another study done on animals showed DNA and RNA mutation present in subjects fed breast milk from marijuana exposed mothers. The effects of these mutations are unknown. Some researchers suggest marijuana use while breastfeeding may affect brain cell growth in the baby, however studies on infant mental development showed no decrease in infants that fed from mothers who regularly used marijuana.

Infants that are present when marijuana is smoked are also exposed to second hand smoke. This alone has been shown to increase the risk of SIDS.

So, Marijuana, breastfeeding safe?

That’s entirely up to you. Most of the studies done on the effects were done on chronic users who smoked at least once a day. Detrimental effects include decreased milk supply, weakness, poor suckling in the infant, and gross motor developmental stunting when exposed before the third month of life. DNA and RNA mutation are possible. The exact effects of marijuana use while breastfeeding are unknown and as a mother, I find unknown a good reason to not use. If you must, I would recommend only occasional use after the third month of life.

Baby Eye Color: What Color Eyes Will My Baby Have?

It’s normal for parents to dream and imagine what their new baby may look like. One trait that often gets a great deal of pondering is the tint of the windows to the soul, eye color. While it may be impossible to determine what baby eye color you’ll see at delivery, you can add some science to your wondering.

What gives a baby’s eyes color?

Baby eye color is determined by the amount of (or lack of) a pigmentation known as melanin in the iris. The human iris has two layers. A baby with melanin in both layers will have brown eyes, a baby with melanin in only the back layer will have blue eyes, and a baby with a little melanin in both layers will have green eyes. The varying shades of blue, green, and brown are produced by the degree of pigmentation in each scenario.

For example, if someone had a great deal of melanin in both layers their eyes may appear a deep almost black brown, a person with no melanin in the front layer and very little in the back layer would have very light blue eyes which may appear violet from tinting due to the blood vessels in the back of the eye. Albino eyes (pink) are a result of no pigmentation causing the eye to take on only the color of those blood vessels.

What determines baby eye color?

You and your partner’s genetics determine your baby’s eye color. You can get a rough idea of possible baby eye colors from looking at your eyes, your partners, and both of your parent’s eye color. For example, if all six people have blue eyes, it is highly probable your baby will have blue eyes. If no one in the group has blue eyes, it’s nearly impossible for your baby to come out with blue eyes. Keep in mind that green and blue are both recessive gene traits meaning having even one person in the equation with brown eyes significantly increases the chances of your baby having brown eyes, while having one person with blue eyes offers a chance but still a very, very small one.

When does baby eye color change?

Your baby’s eye color will actually not stay the color they’ll appear as you gaze into them just after labor and delivery. When babies are born the melanin that provides baby eye color has not entirely synthesized. Most Caucasian babies are born with a dark slate color eyes, and most non-Caucasian babies are born with dark brown eyes. In time, as melanin develops baby eye color changes. Though a baby born with brown eyes will not develop into a blue or green-eyed baby, he or she may end up hazel or amber. A baby born with slate eyes may be brown, blue, or green in time. Your baby’s eye color will likely be close to the color it will remain for life sometime between 6 months and 1 year of age. However, some babies, especially those of Caucasian decent, can still experience eye color changes up until age 5. Some adults even notice small changes in their eye color over time, though it should also be noted different light levels can make eyes appear a different color.