Pot Use in Pregnancy May Harm the Fetus

Marijuana use during pregnancy may result in stillbirth, preterm birth, or growth and development issues, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Even after pregnancy, marijuana use is inadvisable, as THC and other chemicals in the drug can be transmitted to a baby through breast milk and impair brain development.

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(HealthDay News) Expectant mothers who use marijuana during their pregnancies may be more likely to have children who deal with stress and anxiety, according to a new study. 

"People are saying that cannabis is benign, and take it for your anxiety and your nausea, but you need to know that it may have long-term effects on your child," senior researcher Yasmin Hurd said. 

During the study, researchers followed more than 300 mothers and their children. After the kids turned 6, researchers gave them tests to measure their hormone levels and heart function; they also surveyed their parents about their behavior and emotional functioning. They found that the kids of mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were more anxious, aggressive, and hyper. Read more.