what they don’t tell moms who use cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding (but they probably should)
Let’s get one thing straight: cannabis isn’t just about “getting high.”
And for many pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who turn to the plant, it’s never been about escaping, numbing, or checking out. It’s about getting through.
While cannabis is often boxed into recreational use, the truth is, it’s a plant with deep roots in medicine, and a long history of use in supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Today, some of the most common reasons mothers turn to cannabis include:
Nausea and vomiting (especially severe morning sickness or Hyperemesis Gravidarum)
Appetite stimulation
Stress and anxiety management
Pain and inflammation
Sleep support
Mood regulation and trauma recovery
So Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About This?
Here’s the thing: many people, including medical professionals, are still stuck in outdated thinking when it comes to cannabis. They may recognize pharmaceuticals as valid treatment options, even when those medications come with long lists of side effects or potential harm to a developing fetus or nursing infant.
Let’s look at just a few examples:
Common Conditions & What Doctors Typically Prescribe (And Why That Matters)
🤢 Nausea (including Hyperemesis Gravidarum)
Common Rx: Zofran, Diclegis (Xonvea)
Known Risks:
Headaches, dizziness, constipation
Drowsiness and sleep disturbances
Increased risk of oral clefts when used in the first trimester (according to GOV.UK)
😴 Insomnia
Common Rx: Ambien (Zolpidem), Lunesta, Benzodiazepines
Known Risks:
Sleepwalking, memory issues, disorientation
Neonatal withdrawal symptoms
Potential birth complications and respiratory issues
😰 Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Common Rx: SSRIs (like Zoloft), Benzodiazepines (like Ativan or Xanax)
Known Risks:
Risk of dependency and withdrawal
Low birth weight
Potential developmental and behavioral challenges later in life
😖 Chronic Pain
Common Rx: Opioids (like Hydrocodone), Gabapentin
Known Risks:
Dependency and addiction risk
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Sedation and delayed labor progress
These are just a few examples of some of the most commonly prescribed medications during pregnancy. Meanwhile, cannabis has no known lethal dose. The risk profile is lower in many ways than these commonly prescribed medications, especially when used mindfully, in low doses, and with harm reduction strategies in place.
Yet cannabis remains demonized, often by providers who lack the education or training to speak about it accurately.
Misinformed Providers Are a Real Problem
Here’s what most doctors aren’t taught in medical school:
What the endocannabinoid system (ECS) even is
How cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with the ECS
How terpenes influence effect and outcome
What makes a product “clean” vs contaminated or overly processed
How to recommend safe dosage, product types, or non-smoking delivery methods
So when you’re using cannabis to navigate intense nausea, crippling anxiety, or chronic pain — and your provider shuts it down without discussion? That’s not sound medical guidance. That’s implicit bias wrapped in a lab coat.
And frankly, you deserve better.
What You Can Do Instead
Educate yourself through peer-reviewed research, harm reduction resources, and evidence-based cannabis education.
Avoid sources with strong anti-cannabis funding bias (or funded by pharmaceutical interests).
Find a cannabis-literate medical provider, ideally one who understands the ECS and is comfortable supporting maternal cannabis use.
Document your usage, dosing, symptoms, and outcomes so you’re empowered in your choices and can share data if needed.
Prioritize harm reduction: avoid tobacco/nicotine-based products, choose clean methods (like dry herb vaporization), and keep cannabis products out of reach of children.
Because You Deserve Real Support, Not Stigma.
You’re not reckless. You’re not irresponsible.
You’re a mother navigating real symptoms, real struggles, and doing your best to make informed choices with the tools you have.
The truth is: we need more science, more transparency, and more providers who actually understand the plant before they rush to judge the people who use it.
Until then? Keep asking questions. Keep advocating for your body. And know that you’re not alone, not even close. 💚
