A pregnancy consists of 9 very special months, both for mom and the unborn baby. Toxic substances like nicotine, caffeine and the like are not recommended, but what about CBD oil? This is a highly controversial topic where opinions and research findings vary widely.

Table of Contents

Complaints during pregnancy

Women who are pregnant experience this period as 9 exciting months where two souls live together in one body. Excitedly awaiting the arrival of the new baby, pregnant women also experience a huge number of unpleasant symptoms during pregnancy.

The most common symptoms during pregnancy are pregnancy nausea, vomiting, heartburn, back pain, cramps, muscle tension, mood swings and anxiety, stress and even depression. Other symptoms that are common include insomnia, upset appetite, growing pains and eventually childbirth pain. These symptoms can vary from woman to woman and trimester to trimester.

Medicinal cannabis in the past

Women have used the beneficial effects of medicinal cannabis for centuries for menstrual pain, fertility problems, preventing miscarriages, full-term pregnancy and for relieving ailments such as migraines, stiff muscles, cramps, poor sleep, pain, nausea and anxiety.

In the 1990s, multiple studies concluded that similar substances to CBD are essential in reproduction and brain development of the unborn child. A 2013 study indicated that prenatal use of CBD may increase the permeability of the placenta, allowing pollutants to easily cross the barrier. However, this study was conducted on cells cultured outside the body. Medics have since warned to be cautious about using CBD oil during pregnancy. After all, you don’t want to adversely affect the growth of the fetus, and extensive research has not yet been done.

CBD against growing pains and premature deliveries

During pregnancy, most women experience a nasty kind of pain: growing pains. In addition, there is always the risk of premature labor. CBD can be put to good use for both complaints. According to research, CBD contains analgesic and anxiolytic properties that relieve growing pains in pregnant women and significantly reduce the risk of premature labor.

CBD against childbirth pain

Nowadays, the medical industry makes extensive use of nitrous oxide or the epidural during childbirth to relieve intense childbirth pain. However, such chemical anesthetics can carry unpleasant risks, including temporary paralysis. For years, in countries such as Asia, the Middle East and South Africa, CBD was given to women in childbirth to take the edge off the pain.

Medication for abortion and miscarriage

According to past evidence, medicinal cannabis was also used to induce labor or stimulate lactation. However, there is also evidence that several peoples used cannabis to induce miscarriage or abortion. This was not about expelling the unborn child, but about alleviating the pain during the abortion or miscarriage.

CBD against nausea

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is safe to use against ailments such as nausea, one of the common complaints of pregnant women. The extent to which CBD oil is safe to use during pregnancy is discussed in a moment. Besides reducing pregnancy-related nausea and relieving pain, CBD also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, CBD stimulates the promotion of physical and mental relaxation, the immune system is supported, CBD counteracts insomnia, mood swings and stress, and can be used well for impaired appetite.

The ECS and pregnancy

Every human (and animal) has its own endocannabinoid system, also called the ECS. This system regulates several essential body processes including pain perception, appetite, sleep, immune system and also the uterus during pregnancy. We know that several cannabinoids are present in the womb during pregnancy and play a major role in the development of the unborn child.

Using CBD oil during pregnancy should not be a problem in theory, since you are using plant-based cannabinoids to stimulate the ECS during pregnancy. Unfortunately, it can also happen that the ECS is actually overloaded with an abundance of cannabinoids which could potentially impact fetal development. The extent to which this is actually true has been further investigated worldwide by several scientific researchers.

Insufficient research and evidence

All the research conducted to date has not yet provided sufficient evidence to recommend CBD oil during pregnancy. Indeed, there is not enough hard evidence to show that medicinal cannabis does not have a negative effect on birth rates, on the interaction of certain medications with CBD during pregnancy, on gestational age and on the development of the unborn child.

The 2018 study examined the effect of cannabinoid use (especially THC) on low birth weight. According to this study, some of the participants were more likely to have lower birth weight, although it was not clear whether the women smoked cannabis with or without tobacco or whether the cannabis was taken orally.

In a 1994 study in Jamaica, researchers studied the effects of using cannabis during pregnancy. The results were promising: no significant differences were noted between the babies exposed to cannabis and those whose mothers did not use cannabis. After some time, researchers continued this study. It looked at how these babies grew and performed, compared to other peers.

The conclusion: the use of CBD (oil) during pregnancy is not necessarily harmful to the unborn child or development, but it is not ruled out that the ECS plays a major role in neural and fetal development.

Remember, however, that things like alcohol or tobacco use can also affect the conclusion of the studies conducted, as can demographic or ethical factors. Women who actually use CBD oil during pregnancy are often afraid to come forward with positive stories due to the stigma that currently lies on CBD so there is little evidence.

Safety during pregnancy

Experts and scientific researchers advise against the use of CBD oil during pregnancy because of too little research and the potential risks such as an increased risk of stillbirth, a negative effect on the baby’s brain development and the risk of low weight. If you are pregnant and still took CBD unknowingly, however, you need not worry. Report it to your doctor and find out how your body reacts to the oil.

CBD during breastfeeding

Experts also advise against using CBD oil while breastfeeding. Again, insufficient research has been done on the effects of CBD during lactation, to what extent the substances enter breast milk and how this may affect the baby.

There are studies showing that cannabinoids like THC and CBD do get passed through breast milk in low amounts, but the actual effects are still unknown. Because it is not possible to mark the use of CBD during breastfeeding as safe, as a precautionary measure it is still not recommended to use CBD during lactation.

Still using CBD during pregnancy?

Do you normally use CBD daily and are now pregnant? If you do want to use CBD oil during pregnancy, discuss it with your doctor or midwife first. You can thus find out how to use THC-free CBD in a pregnancy-safe way to relieve your symptoms. The doctor can then also inform you of all the risks of CBD for you and your baby. In fact, case reports can be found concluding that pure CBD oil is indeed safe during pregnancy and that no contaminants (toxic metals, pesticides, bacteria, THC and the like) reach the fetus through the placenta.

The best form: CBD ointment

Have you spoken to the doctor or midwife and are you allowed to use CBD oil during pregnancy? Then the best way to get CBD is through oil or else CBD massage oil or CBD cream. CBD ointment and massage oil can both be used to prevent stretch marks on the skin. Lightly spread the ointment or massage oil on the skin for relief. The ointment or oil will also keep the skin supple.

Avoid smoking or vaping CBD and always read the instructions for use very carefully before using CBD products.

Top quality CBD oil

Always choose superior quality organic CBD oil whose ingredients are all-natural, even if you are not pregnant. Our CBD oil is available 100% legally and completely pure and organic. All lab reports are always present and we incorporate 1000% love into our products.

CBD may interact in combination with certain medications, causing undesirable intensification of effects and side effects. Even if you are not pregnant, consult your doctor first to check if you can combine your medication with CBD oil. Do you have more questions? Then click the button below to request a free consultation. You can also click on the button next to it to view our CBD products range.

Alternatives to CBD oil

Besides CBD oil, there are plenty of other alternatives to effectively combat the unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy. Here are some helpful tips:

Are you nauseous? Then eat smaller meals and snacks to make sure your stomach is never completely empty. This increases the likelihood of vomiting. Eat stomach soothing and nutritional foods such as bananas, ginger, soup or crackers and avoid fried or greasy foods. You can also suck on ice or drink lemon juice for nausea.

For insomnia, a bubble bath, foot massages, reading a book, herbal tea or a glass of warm milk work best. Avoid using sleeping pills. Other options include prenatal yoga or breathing exercises.

Anxiety and depression can also occur during pregnancy, including mood swings, crying spells, irrational fears, social isolation and stress. Try walking daily to keep moving, meet with friends and consult your doctor to possibly start light therapy or talk therapy.

Requesting a free consultation

According to research, CBD oil would have no obvious negative effect on the development of an unborn child. Even then, we do not recommend using CBD oil during pregnancy unless you have clear permission from your doctor or midwife here.

If you have questions about CBD oil use, dosage, safety, other uses and the like, please contact us without obligation or use the button below to request a free 1-on-1 consultation and personalized professional advice. In doing so, you will receive personalized advice.