Wondering whether CBD oil and pregnancy go well together or if it will affect your baby? We’ll tell you all you need to know.
You’ve taken a test — or two or three — and now you know for sure.
You’re pregnant.
And, although this is undoubtedly a joyous time for you and your family, it can be stressful, too. As such, you might seek out all-natural remedies to calm your nerves pre-baby.
CBD oil has noted therapeutic effects, so it makes sense why you’d consider it as your supplement-of-choice. You just have to make sure you can combine CBD oil and pregnancy — is it safe?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is CBD Oil?
Let’s start at the top. Cannabidiol oil comes from the cannabis plant, but it differs from other products derived from the same plant.
Namely, it doesn’t have any THC, the element that causes pot smokers’ signature headrush. Instead, CBD skips that buzz but provides the calming effects of cannabis. Many people see this as the major advantage of CBD oil, although there are plenty of others.
On that note, those who use CBD oil swear by it for everything from stress relief to deeper sleep. They say it can also relieve anxiety, depression and chronic pain. But CBD is a relatively new remedy, so experts are still researching to confirm its effects — and safety — for patients with more severe conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Is CBD Safe During Pregnancy?
This is the golden question for moms-to-be. And most medical professionals are clear in their guidance on the subject — steer clear.
The American College of Obstetricians says that expectant mothers shouldn’t use marijuana in its THC-inclusive form. Plenty of studies have backed up this stance. Babies can suffer from incomplete neurodevelopment, and smoking is not healthy for mother nor child.
Don’t panic if you’ve used CBD oil or marijuana in the early stages of your pregnancy. Most studies look at moms-to-be who smoke pot or use weed-based products repeatedly throughout their gestation period.
On top of that, most research covers marijuana. Some moms have used CBD during pregnancy and have reported positive effects on their morning sickness, for example.
But doctors warn that the effects of CBD while pregnant are still unknown. Because it’s a relatively new form of stress and pain relief, they haven’t studied the long-term effects it can have on children. Some say that topical applications are safe for you and your baby, though.
If you want to take CBD oil during pregnancy, your best bet is to talk to your doctor. They can advise you on the best practices to keep you and your baby-to-be safe and happy until it’s time to deliver.
What About CBD Oil and Breastfeeding?
There’s so much to know about CBD oil before you take it — and that’s true whether or not you’re a mom.
You’ll have to think about what you put into your body while you’re breastfeeding, too. There’s plenty of guidance as to what to eat and drink during this time. But CBD Oil? The verdict is, of course, still out.
But if you default to what experts know about marijuana, then you should avoid CBD oil while breastfeeding. Once again, the chemicals from marijuana can pass through your breast milk and onto the baby.
Another reason why CBD and breastfeeding don’t mix — it can make you quite drowsy. Raising a newborn is already tiring enough, and you want to be at your most alert. So, experts say you should avoid mind-altering substances that will make you sleepy while on the job.
Are There Any Alternatives to CBD Oil?
There’s no one answer to the question, “Is CBD safe for pregnant women?” What’s clearer cut are the alternatives to cannabidiol to help relieve your nausea, insomnia and anxiety while pregnant.
Nausea
Strangely enough, a great pregnancy nausea cure is to eat, even when your stomach is churning.
Of course, you’ll want to stick to snacks that’ll go easy on your stomach. For instance, salted crackers or a banana can help to soothe an unsettled tummy. Plenty of pregnant women swear by ginger as a nausea remedy, too.
Doctors can also prescribe baby-safe anti-nausea medications, if your condition gets to that point.
Insomnia
There’s so much that could keep a mom-to-be up at night. The future will be a lot different with a baby, and that’s daunting, no matter how much you want to build a family.
As such, insomnia plagues plenty of pregnant women. You can try all-natural remedies aside from CBD oil. For instance, some moms swear by exercise — enough movement can tire you out by day’s end.
You might also try a nightly bath to calm you down. Some moms will sip tea or warm milk to help them ease into sleep, too.
In short, CBD’s not your only option when it comes to insomnia. Talk to your doctor if these other options don’t work and you want to try CBD or another remedy.
Depression and Anxiety
Finally, you might consider CBD to alleviate your pregnancy-induced depression and anxiety. This happens to plenty of moms-to-be, so don’t feel alone in your stress pre-baby.
Many of the insomnia remedies listed above can help you with your anxiety and depression. Another option is therapy, which gives you an outlet to share your plaguing fears with an unbiased third party. Just talking about them out loud can take the power out of such stressful thoughts.
Again, you should talk to your doctor if you can’t seem to shake your anxiety or depression during pregnancy. They can prescribe baby-safe medications.
CBD Oil and Pregnancy — The Verdict’s Still Out
These remedies don’t necessarily rule out CBD as an option during your pregnancy. The truth is, experts just don’t know the effects of CBD oil and pregnancy, so they can’t prescribe it with authority.
Your best bet in any situation is to speak to the experts before you try anything. That way, you know you’re keeping yourself and your baby safe at this exciting time.
And, when you’re ready to try CBD oil, come back to our site for all the CBD-related information you need to make the right decision.