Pregnant Women Urged to Avoid Alcohol and Cannabis for Health

Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid consuming both alcohol and cannabis due to significant health risks to their babies and themselves. This guidance is supported by various health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Experts highlight that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, and emerging data indicate that cannabis use is also unsafe.

Research indicates that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and potential neonatal intensive care unit admissions. The CDC emphasizes that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy should refrain from using both alcohol and cannabis entirely. According to the CDC, “No amount, timing, or type of alcohol is safe in pregnancy; abstinence is always best.”

Despite these warnings, a troubling trend has emerged. Surveillance data from large national surveys reveal that alcohol use among pregnant women is alarmingly common. Reports indicate that between 13% and 14% of pregnant women in the U.S. engage in current alcohol consumption, with approximately 5% admitting to binge drinking. These figures translate to hundreds of thousands of pregnancies annually that expose fetuses to alcohol.

Additionally, the data suggests that some pregnant women may be unaware of their pregnancies, as many pregnancies are unplanned. A substantial 17.8% of women who reported current alcohol use did not have a healthcare provider at the time, indicating a gap in prenatal care.

Alcohol readily crosses the placenta, but the developing fetus has limited capacity to metabolize it. This leads to prolonged exposure during critical growth periods, particularly affecting brain development. The consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can manifest as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which encompass a range of lifelong conditions including growth restrictions, neurodevelopmental impairments, and behavioral issues.

Risks Associated with Cannabis Use

Emerging evidence points to increasing cannabis use among pregnant women, with data indicating a rise from 4.2% in 2017 to 6.8% in more recent estimates covering 2021 to 2023. Cannabis is now the most commonly used illicit substance during pregnancy. Experts consistently recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid cannabis and products containing THC due to established associations with poor birth outcomes.

A series of meta-analyses and cohort studies have linked prenatal cannabis use to heightened risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and even perinatal mortality. A comprehensive study has reported that cannabis use during pregnancy correlates with an increase in complications such as gestational hypertension and placental abruption, although causality is still being investigated.

Dr. Yasmin Hurd, a leading researcher at Mount Sinai Medical Center, asserts that misinformation surrounding cannabis safety has proliferated, leading many pregnant women to underestimate the potential risks. “The reality is that cannabis is more potent today than even a few years ago,” Dr. Hurd notes. She emphasizes the need for greater public outreach and education regarding the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Data indicates that cannabis use often co-occurs with alcohol and nicotine use, which can amplify health risks. Studies show that pregnant women using both cannabis and nicotine experience higher rates of maternal and neonatal complications compared to those using either substance alone.

The Importance of Ongoing Research

Research into the effects of cannabis during pregnancy continues to evolve, with significant findings emerging. While the long-term impacts of prenatal cannabis exposure are still being explored, studies indicate potential links to increased anxiety levels in children and alterations in heart rate variability among infants.

Experts agree that avoiding both alcohol and cannabis during pregnancy is essential for the health of both mothers and their babies. The CDC and ACOG advocate for universal screening for alcohol and substance use as part of routine prenatal care, promoting a nonjudgmental approach to ensure that women receive the support they need.

As the understanding of the implications of substance use during pregnancy expands, it is imperative that healthcare providers and the community work together to deliver accurate information and support to pregnant women. The goal remains clear: to protect the health and well-being of future generations.