CBD (Cannabidiol) products have taken the world by storm and the market is expected to still expand! CBD oil has exploded into the health and wellness field, being touted as a natural “cure-all”, a remedy for just about everything from anxiety, pain, nausea, depression, and inflammation to insomnia. These are all too common symptoms of pregnancy as well and as such, pregnant women may be tempted to look to CBD oil as a safe and natural treatment for these problems. But the question on everyone’s lips is: Is it safe for pregnant women to take CBD oil?
In this article, we are going to delve a little deeper into CBD itself, look at its impact on pregnant women and discuss the safety/danger of using CBD oil whilst pregnant.
WHY ARE CBD PRODUCTS SO POPULAR?
As more and more people find relief from various physical and mental health symptoms by using CBD oil and other CBD products, the CBD trend continues to gain immense popularity as the market gets more diverse and more types of products are added.
Part of the reason Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is becoming increasingly popular is that it has been labelled as a natural product. So to some people, the appeal is that it comes from a plant. Since the beginning of time, we have used natural products for medicinal and health purposes. In the early days, people were known to chew on certain herbs to relieve pain or wrap leaves around wounds to speed up healing. Oftentimes nature has been the sole means to treat pain, diseases, and injuries.
These days, many people are averse to the manufactured compounds and synthetic compounds in conventional medicines (think antidepressants) and are seeking alternatives, looking for a more natural approach to medicine. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, and meditation are also on the rise as a more holistic and integrative approach to healing is being sought.
Another reason CBD oil is so popular is that it treats multiple disorders and people can reap many health benefits from a single product. Head over to High Health’s website www.highhealth.co.za and have a look at some of their popular products available. This will give you an idea of the spectrum of benefits that come from a single product.
PREGNANCY AND CBD OIL – IS IT SAFE?
Pregnancy places a lot of strain on your body and a lot of women experience debilitating side effects that can severely impact their daily lives. Symptoms such as cramping, insomnia, anxiety and morning sickness can have crippling effects on pregnant women and some last throughout the course of the pregnancy.
Being an all-natural, non-addictive, plant-based substance containing so many impressive, beneficial properties, it is no wonder the question is often asked about the safety of using CBD oil during pregnancy.
The answer to the safety of CBD use in pregnancy is not a clear-cut one. Given that CBD oil and CBD products are a relatively new market, there are some experts that are hesitant to recommend the use of CBD oil during pregnancy. This is not to say it is inherently dangerous, in fact, there are virtually no indications or examples that CBD is unsafe during pregnancy, but it is largely due to the lack of research available on healthy pregnant women. There are still so many unknowns and uncertainties when it comes to pregnant women and what it does to their bodies, hormones and the growing fetus. It is said that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that shows taking CBD oil during pregnancy is safe for a developing fetus and the effects CBD oil has on a developing fetus at this stage are simply unknown.
Going back to the question of the safety of using CBD oil whilst pregnant, the most accurate answer at this stage would probably be that we currently do not have enough information to determine if it is safe or unsafe. There is, however, anecdotal evidence and preliminary research indicating that CBD is indeed safe during pregnancy but no rock-solid research.
MAIN REASONS FOR THE LACK OF RESEARCH
There are three good reasons for the lack of research into the safety of CBD oil use whilst pregnant, which are listed below:
The difficulty of getting research involving pregnant women approved by a professional ethics board (human vs animal testing)
Pregnancy is complex and it is difficult to account for all the variables as no pregnancy is alike and every woman experiences different side-effects
Research is expensive and takes place over many years, decades in fact.
WHAT DOES THE FDA SAY?
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider CBD oil safe to use while pregnant and in fact, “strongly advises against ” taking any form of CBD or cannabis product during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding, claiming that it could pose a serious risk to the fetus or nursing baby. They are still researching the exact risks of taking CBD during pregnancy and whether it is or isn’t safe, but until we hear otherwise, they are urging pregnant women to avoid taking CBD oil during pregnancy or when nursing.
THE DANGERS OF THC FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
The most important thing to understand is that THC-containing products, like marijuana, are definitely not safe during pregnancy and there is evidence that it is harmful to your and your baby’s health. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) passes through your system to your baby, it crosses the placental barrier and shows up in breast milk, which may harm or delay your baby’s brain function and development as the brain is still forming.
The use of marijuana or any THC-containing products during pregnancy could increase the risk of having a premature baby, a smaller baby with low birth weight and may even be linked to stillbirth, usually at or beyond 20 weeks of gestation.
Besides, pregnant women should avoid all intoxicating substances while pregnant – full stop. As moms-to-be, you must remember that everything you put into your body will ultimately reach your baby!
Whilst it is known CBD oil does not contain THC and is deemed to be a much safer compound as it is not psychoactive, the uncertainties surrounding it are a reason for concern for some medical experts.
In time things may change as scientists around the world gain more information and a better understanding as to how it affects you and your growing baby, but in the meantime, many experts are recommending that all expectant moms rather err on the side of caution and avoid CBD oil altogether during pregnancy and lactation.
RELIEF FROM MORNING SICKNESS
Many pregnant women suffer from severe morning sickness and often need to have medication prescribed to them. Since CBD oil is known to have anti-nausea properties a lot of women find that it helps with morning sickness symptoms.
CBD oil is an option to try before escalating to pharmaceutical medication, which comes with its own set of side effects. However, and we cannot stress this enough, please follow your doctor’s advice when it comes to taking medication whilst pregnant.
ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR OB-GYN BEFORE YOU PLAN TO TAKE CBD OIL
In conclusion, before you take CBD oil or any other health supplements for that matter, during your pregnancy, always consult your doctor or OB-GYN and together you can work on a safe, effective treatment plan that is best for you and your baby. Your doctor will be able to guide you as to whether CBD oil is appropriate for you as part of your treatment plan.
Besides pregnancy, a number of other factors have to be considered such as other medical conditions you may have, other medications you are taking etc as although CBD has a good safety profile, it does interact with other medications.