Study finds more women use marijuana during pregnancy

The good news is that fewer pregnant women are drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics. But the bad news is that more pregnant women are using marijuana, which could also be a threat to the development of their babies.

According to a study published by JAMA Pediatrics, the percentage of pregnant women who smoked cigarettes while waiting for a baby had dropped significantly from 17.5% to about 10%. Alcohol consumption also declined during this period, from about 10% to about 8.5% between 2002 and 2016. However, cannabis use among pregnant women appears to be on the rise, possibly because of its legalization. This number has increased from 3% to almost 5% of pregnant women.

These statistics are based on responses to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health. The study focused on approximately 12,000 pregnant women aged 18 to 44 who participated in the survey between 2002 and 2016. About 3,500 of these women were in the first trimester of their pregnancy, a very critical for the development of the fetus.

Marijuana use during pregnancy can affect the baby's health, as reported by the CDC. Marijuana chemicals, such as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, pass through the system from mother to baby and can affect its development. Although further research is needed to understand how marijuana affects the fetus, the CDC recommends that mothers refrain from doing so.