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Ask A Doctor – CBD & Pregnancy – Part 2

Written by Dr. Leah Zachar

Our future is our children. They are the most vulnerable members of our society. The children who are most vulnerable are those who haven’t been born yet…

That’s why, by popular demand, we decided to focus on the all-important subject of using CBD during pregnancy, and after it, to ensure proper healing and wellbeing. So, is it safe to use CBD during pregnancy?

Question: I have anxiety and insomnia. Can I take CBD soft-gels? I am 3 ½ months pregnant.

There is nothing in the literature reviews to suggest that there are any dangers in taking CBD after the third month of pregnancy.
However, it is advised to discuss this with your healthcare provider as they have knowledge of your complete medical profile.

Question: Is it safe to take CBD during labor?

Yes. To date there has been no evidence of any studies I’ve reviewed, that pregnant women during this period should avoid CBD products.

Question:
I am in a stable relationship with a wonderful man. We want to have a child. He uses CBD daily for his chronic back pain. Will CBD decrease his sperm count?

No, CBD does not decrease the sperm count.
FSH causes the Sertoli cells of the testes to begin the process of spermatogenesis. LH triggers the production of testosterone from the Leydig cells of the testis. Both FSH & LH are necessary for a normal sperm count.
In the studies performed, when CBD was given, there was no effect on the luteinizing hormone levels, plasma follicle-stimulating hormone levels or testosterone levels in rats. The doses used were 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg.
This suggests that CBD does not decrease sperm count, even in those who take it on an ongoing basis.
Ref:
Steger RW, Murphy LL, Bartke A, Smith MS. Effects of psychoactive and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of the adult male rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1990; 37(2): 299-302.

Question: Can THC or CBD cause preterm delivery or low birth weight?

Neither THC nor CBD are associated with preterm delivery or low birth weight.
Preterm delivery (delivery before 37 weeks) and low birth weight (less than 2 ½ kg) were not seen any more often in mothers who used cannabis while pregnant than in mothers who did not.
This was not recognized in the earliest studies performed because they included mothers who smoked (cigarettes) and used known dangerous drugs and then grouped these women together in the same category as the mothers who used only cannabis.
Note: Though THC may not affect the weight of the newborn, it can affect the development of the fetal brain during the gestational period.
Ref:
“Maternal Marijuana Use and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” Obstetrics & Gynecology: October 2016 – Volume 128 – Issue 4 – p 713–723

Question: Why aren’t more studies being done on cannabis and pregnancy?

There is a lack of scientific data regarding pregnancy because it is unethical to perform studies on pregnant women – asking them to take THC vs CBD and then to follow them through their pregnancy & after they give birth.

Question: My baby is due in 4 months. I have insomnia. I have back pain. I have anxiety. And recently, my migraines that I thought disappeared have returned. Please – just give me the bottom line. Can I use CBD?

The simple answer is yes. But please read further: Pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are filled with many wonderful moments.
However, during pregnancy, there may also be the appearance of nausea, migraines, chronic pain, and mental health issues such as anxiety & depression.
Childbirth is painful, and some mothers experience postpartum depression.
After the first trimester, new mothers – like you, should be offered treatments that are safe for their unborn child. CBD appears to be safe, but there are some people for which CBD may not be recommended. The final decision lies with the mother and her healthcare provider. When taking CBD, start with a low dose, and taper up slowly. Each person has a different dose that is “just right” – just as each of us has a different fingerprint.

As per your request, we are moving the weekly In-house doctor session from Thursday at 1 pm EST, to Thursday at 3 pm EST (That’s UK’s 20:00, NYC’s 15:00 and LA’s 12:00)

If you want to read more from Dr Zachar, check out: ‘Ask A Doctor – CBD & Pregnancy – Part 2′

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About the author

Dr. Leah Zachar

Dr. Leah Zachar, M.D. is a physician who worked for nearly thirty years in Internal Medicine.
She currently is a scientific adviser to CBD Testers. Dr. Zachar believes that there is much that medical cannabis, and cannabidiol in particular can offer to traditional medicine.