CBD Oil: Is It Safe to Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?

With the legalization of CBD in the United States, there have been claims it benefits several individuals. It can be used both for medicinal and recreational purposes. Whether CBD is safe for pregnancy is yet to be known. This article explains CBD oil, pregnancy and breastfeeding, CBD and pregnancy, CBD and breastfeeding, and safety measures while pregnant.

The information that CBD is safe for pregnancy is anecdotal. It is recommended that expectant mothers not use CBD until there is sufficient evidence to back the claim that it is safe for the developing child. Pregnant and nursing moms who consume CBD may be putting their children in danger, even though using specific natural botanicals can be incredibly beneficial for expectant mothers.

CBD and Pregnancy

Even though they have conducted several studies to investigate the effects of THC (another compound found in cannabis) on pregnant female mice and their offspring, the results of this particular study demonstrated that manufacturers of such substances could not assert that their products are risk-free because the importance has not been adequately tested on adult pregnant women. It is unethical to test products on unborn babies, which affects studies examining the effects of CBD, novel foods, and other natural supplements on pregnant women.

Also, it is essential to additionally evaluate how the substance affects the unborn child and how it might affect the child's brain as it grows and develops in the future. According to Weizman et al. (2019), CBD affects offspring that persists even into maturity. It then concluded that "significant efforts are needed to fully characterize the impacts of this compound during development," highlighting that there is not enough research in this field to draw a sound conclusion. As a result, pregnant women should avoid using CBD.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pregnant women or breastfeeding should avoid consuming cannabis products, including CBD, because of the potential for serious adverse effects. The organization recommends that pregnant women or breastfeeding should avoid utilizing any CBD, THC, or marijuana during pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that health care practitioners counsel pregnant women about the use of marijuana and any of its byproducts. The CDC also discusses the need for additional studies on how CBD might influence newborns and their future health. They warn that CBD products they have not evaluated to determine whether or not they work, what the appropriate dosage maybe if they do work, how they could interact with other drugs, or whether or not they have harmful side effects or other safety concerns. In addition, they have not evaluated to determine whether or not they have different safety concerns.

CBD and Breastfeeding

The foods one eats influence the substances in breast milk, although a person's body strictly controls the components used to make breast milk. For example, suppose a mother consumes a diet heavy in mercury-containing seafood like tuna or marlin. In that case, that can transfer mercury to her unborn child, where it may interfere with the child's average growth and development.

Although the consumption of herbs and spices like cumin or basil they think is safe while breastfeeding, some herbal supplements and teas may cause concern. Riebschleger et al. (2021) stated that this is because many herbal supplements, like CBD, haven't been evaluated for their safety while breastfeeding. Because these supplements are not appropriately regulated, there is a risk that they could be tainted with heavy metals that could pose a health risk to consumers. It is the reason for this concern. One can transfer the chemicals consumed when using marijuana through breast milk, which may affect their child (though no studies directly show how CBD oil could affect a nursing baby). Another reason to avoid using CBD oil while nursing is that it may cause one to feel tired or mildly drunk, increasing the likelihood of making caregiving decisions that aren't in your child's best interest.

Safety Measures While Pregnant

Yazdi et al. (2020) stated that it is not recommended to take CBD while pregnant due to its lack of safety. There are a few potential dangers that a person should be aware of. Learn more about what can cbd oil do for menopause?

Possible Danger of Having a Miscarriage

Wise et al. (2021) stated that using CBD was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Suppose one is actively trying to conceive a child but has been taking CBD. Individuals should probably stop doing so out of caution because animal studies do not necessarily translate to the human experience. Learn more about what does cbd oil do for anxiety?

Possible Risks to the Developing Baby

Prenatal CBD consumption was associated with reduced sperm production in male progeny. Therefore, a boy's future reproductive health is potentially dangerous if you give birth to him. Also, the findings from animal studies do not necessarily translate well to human subjects. However, it is preferable to err on the side of caution.

The Pregnancy-Related Side Effects May Get Worse

Since CBD has few adverse effects, many individuals favor it. On the other hand, some people find that CBD causes them to feel sleepy or to have diarrhea. These potential adverse effects could endanger the health of the unborn child. Nobody wants to feel any more exhausted than pregnancy already does, and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, a problematic state for pregnant women.

Conclusion

If a mother plans to breastfeed their child, medical professionals recommend that they avoid using any cannabis product, including CBD. However, because only trace amounts of the substance pass into breast milk and the fact that researchers have not yet been able to determine the precise effects that CBD has on an infant, anyone who is interested in trying CBD while they are nursing would be wise to consult with their primary care provider first. Although CBD has several positive effects, pregnant women should not use it because of the dangers it may pose to the growing baby. It is possible that using this product will influence future fertility or the motor development of infants. We should not take the chance until we learn more about these potential side effects.

References

Failing, C. J., Boehnke, K. F., & Riebschleger, M. (2021). Cannabidiol (CBD) Use among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Pediatric Rheumatology, 19(1), 1-8.

Harlow, A. F., Wesselink, A. K., Hatch, E. E., Rothman, K. J., & Wise, L. A. (2021). Male preconception marijuana use and spontaneous abortion: a prospective cohort study. Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), 32(2), 239.

Poleg, S., Golubchik, P., Offen, D., & Weizman, A. (2019). Cannabidiol is a suggested candidate for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 89, 90-96.

Sarrafpour, S., Urits, I., Powell, J., Nguyen, D., Callan, J., Orhurhu, V., ... & Yazdi, C. (2020). Considerations and implications of cannabidiol use during pregnancy. Current pain and headache reports, 24(7), 1-10.

Thompson, R., DeJong, K., & Lo, J. (2019). Marijuana use in pregnancy: a review: Obstetrical & gynecological survey, 74(7), 415.