A new study regarding pot use during pregnancy has some doctors concerned about low birth weight in newborns.
Doctors found three significant outcomes associated with moms using marijuana. They found moms who smoke pot have a higher risk of anemia. Secondly, babies born to moms who use pot are twice as likely to be admitted to the neo-natal intensive care unit. While reviewing these finding, they also discovered these babies had two times greater risk of low birth rate.
Doctors admit they don't know the extent of how marijuana affects an unborn, but one concern is that it restricts blood flow, which could lead to low birth weight and other problems. Low birth weight in babies is linked to learning difficulties, decreases in height and I-Q later in life, including an increase in psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Elizabeth Meade, assistant chief of pediatrics at Swedish Hospital, says doctors are scrambling to understand all the effects on babies now that recreationally pot has become legal.
"There has been lots of smaller studies that have shown that it can potentially restrict blood flow to the baby, so that may be one reason why they come out smaller, and there have been other studies associated with learning disabilities and school problems later in life," said Dr. Meade.
Another question raised is whether or not recreational pot use is on the rise among pregnant women in Washington since it became legal.
"I think that women are more willing to be open about the fact that they are using it and they may feel more comfortable that it is safe to use in pregnancy because it's legal recreationally, but just like we don't recommend alcohol or tobacco use during pregnancy. The same thing with marijuana. We really feel there could be some detrimental effects to the fetus and the baby," explained Meade.
In addition, doctors advise new moms avoid pot while breastfeeding. The chemical THC concentrates in breast milk and babies can test positive for THC up to two weeks after exposure.
