No. Using marijuana during pregnancy poses health risks for you and your baby. Marijuana – also called weed, pot, or cannabis – isn't any less dangerous than other harmful drugs because it's "natural."

Healthcare organizations that advise women not to use weed when pregnant include the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most parents wouldn't dream of feeding marijuana to their baby after birth. Even though we don't know exactly what the effect would be, common sense tells us it's not a good idea. The same caution applies while you're pregnant.

After your baby's born, it's not safe to use marijuana while you're breastfeeding either.

How is a baby exposed to marijuana during pregnancy?

The main psychoactive ingredient in pot – the ingredient that makes people "high" – is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Weed may also be contaminated with other drugs or herbicides that could harm your baby – even if you buy marijuana legally.

If you use marijuana when you're pregnant, THC crosses the placenta into your baby's bloodstream. An estimated 10 to 30 percent of the THC in your system could reach your baby. And babies are much more vulnerable to the effects of chemicals and toxins than adults.

THC passes from you to your baby if you're using weed in any way, including:

Smoking a joint

Dabbing: using concentrated cannabis oil

using concentrated cannabis oil Vaping: inhaling cannabis vapor using a vaporizing pen or similar device

inhaling cannabis vapor using a vaporizing pen or similar device Consuming marijuana edibles or drinking cannabis-infused beverages (edibles such as cookies, brownies, or candy are not safer than smoking, dabbing, or vaping weed – the THC still crosses the placenta)

Even applying creams or lotions containing marijuana to your skin can potentially be a problem.

Note: Vaping weed or using e-cigarettes is especially dangerous because vaping has been linked to serious lung problems and deaths. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC have issued a warning that pregnant women should not use any vaping products, including THC-containing products and e-cigarettes.

What about cannabis products that contain only cannabidiol (CBD)?

Medical experts advise against using all marijuana products while pregnant, including those containing only cannabidiol, or CBD, as an active ingredient.

CBD is the second-most prevalent active ingredient in marijuana after THC. Unlike THC, CBD doesn't make you high. It's also touted for treating a variety of health issues. The problem is we don't know if it's safe to use CBD during pregnancy.

There isn't enough research to know its effects, and CBD may pose a risk to your baby. One study showed that CBD may cause the placenta to be more permeable, making it easier for other drugs and contaminants in your body to reach your baby.

Are more women using weed during pregnancy?

Yes. Unfortunately, marijuana use in pregnancy has become increasingly common, putting more babies at risk of exposure. Nationally, self-reported marijuana use among pregnant women nearly doubled between 2002 and 2017, from 3.4 percent to 7 percent overall – and from nearly 6 percent to 12 percent in the first trimester. Researchers estimate that today about 1 in 20 women uses weed during pregnancy, and usage is even higher among 18- to 25-year-olds, among unmarried women, and in poor urban neighborhoods.

Legalization of marijuana in many states may be contributing to the rise in use.

Stories on social media about women using marijuana during pregnancy to relieve pregnancy symptoms may also be influencing the increase. Although there is no evidence that marijuana is safe or effective at treating certain pregnancy issues, women have reported using weed for morning sickness, anxiety, and stress. Unfortunately, these anecdotes can give the mistaken impression that pot use during pregnancy is safe.

What are the effects of using marijuana while pregnant?

Some people mistakenly believe that marijuana is harmless because it's derived from a plant. This isn't true. Marijuana use during pregnancy can affect you and your baby in many negative ways.

Smoking marijuana (or tobacco) while pregnant raises carbon monoxide levels in your blood. This can reduce the amount of oxygen that your developing baby receives, which can adversely affect your baby's growth.

In a study of more than 5,600 women who used marijuana during their pregnancies, Canadian researchers found that, compared to pregnant women who did not use pot, the pregnant women who used weed had:

More than double the rate of preterm birth

Increased rates of placental abruption

In the same study, the babies of the pregnant women who used marijuana were more likely to:

Research elsewhere has tied weed use in pregnancy to these effects on babies:

Increased irritability in newborns

Possible link to stillbirth: Researchers aren't sure yet if marijuana alone is responsible for the link or if other substances, such as cigarettes, are involved in the increased risk.

Problems with higher-order thinking during childhood, including problem-solving, memory, planning, attention, and impulse control

Lower academic scores once the child reaches school age

Not all studies have identified ill effects from marijuana consumption during pregnancy. But given the concerns that research has raised so far, the AAP and ACOG advise pregnant and nursing women to avoid marijuana use.

Once your baby arrives, exposure to secondhand smoke from marijuana is also harmful.

What effects can marijuana have on my health when I'm pregnant?

Using weed during pregnancy can have negative effects on your health including:

Risk of falling : Marijuana can make you dizzy. Falling can be especially dangerous when you're pregnant.

: Marijuana can make you dizzy. Falling can be especially dangerous when you're pregnant. Impaired judgment: You're more likely to injure yourself if you're under the influence.

You're more likely to injure yourself if you're under the influence. Risk of breathing problems: This is because marijuana lowers oxygen levels in your body.

This is because marijuana lowers oxygen levels in your body. Lung damage: Marijuana smoke, much like cigarette smoke, irritates the lungs and may cause an increased risk of lung infection.

Are there benefits to using weed in pregnancy?

There's no evidence that using marijuana during pregnancy has any benefits, and experts agree that the risks of using pot during pregnancy far outweigh any potential upsides.

Some women say that weed helps relieve pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, but there's no research to confirm this. Because of the dangers associated with marijuana use, experts recommend trying safer remedies for morning sickness. If nondrug options don't work, talk to your healthcare provider about anti-nausea medications you can take while pregnant.

Anecdotally, some pregnant women report using weed to relieve other pregnancy symptoms such as achiness and loss of appetite. Again, there are no studies to support these claims.

What about using medical marijuana during pregnancy?

Medical marijuana generally contains higher CBD content and lower THC content. The use of CBD in pregnancy has not been studied well, so it is unknown if medical marijuana poses less risk to the baby than recreational marijuana. If you use medical marijuana, talk with your healthcare provider about other treatments that are safer to use during pregnancy.

I'm trying to get pregnant and currently use pot. Do I need to stop now?

Yes. You may become pregnant and not realize it right away. Even in the early weeks of the first trimester, marijuana could impact your baby's health. Also, THC gets stored in your fat and is released for a while after you stop using marijuana (estimates range from two days to several months), so it's a good idea to give up weed a while before your pregnancy.

Should I tell my doctor I'm using marijuana if I'm pregnant?

It's a good idea to seek help from a trusted provider as early as possible to protect your health and the health of your baby.

ACOG encourages doctors to be understanding and offer help to pregnant women who use marijuana or other drugs. In most cases, healthcare providers will offer advice and resources to help you quit and find alternative treatments for any ailments you're using pot for. If you're uncomfortable with your provider's attitude about marijuana use during pregnancy, you have the right to seek a different provider.

Note: Providers in some states may be required to report you to child welfare authorities if they suspect you are misusing drugs, so it's good to be familiar with your state's policies on substance use during pregnancy.

For confidential and anonymous help, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers:

Online treatment services locator

24-hour assistance line: 800-662-HELP (4357)

Can't I just cut back on my marijuana use while I'm pregnant?

Experts recommend quitting marijuana altogether when you're pregnant because there's no known safe dosage. If you're having trouble, seek help from a trusted healthcare provider.

Is it illegal to use weed during pregnancy?

There can be legal risks to marijuana use. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. To find out about the state law where you live, check the Guttmacher Institute's summary of state policies.

In at least 23 states and the District of Columbia, using drugs during pregnancy is considered child abuse. Women risk losing custody of their children, and several states require women who use drugs during pregnancy to undergo mandatory drug treatment. At least one state threatens criminal charges.

Even in states where marijuana is legal for medical and/or adult use, using pot while pregnant can get you in trouble. In Colorado, for example, where marijuana is sold legally, hospitals may notify child protective services if your baby tests positive for THC at birth.

Why did the cannabis dispensary recommend I use marijuana?

Unfortunately, cannabis dispensaries may be adding to pregnant women's confusion about weed, recommending it for use in pregnancy and directly contradicting the warnings of medical experts. In one study, researchers posing as pregnant women called 400 randomly selected cannabis dispensaries, and more than two-thirds of dispensaries recommended using marijuana for morning sickness.

Dispensary employees are not trained medical professionals. Salespeople may have recommended marijuana simply because they're not properly informed about the risks. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider before using any kind of drug or supplement during your pregnancy.

Why don't we know more about using marijuana during pregnancy?

It's difficult to study the specific effects of using pot during pregnancy for several reasons, including:

Women in studies may also be using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, so it's hard to isolate the effects of weed.

Pregnant women may not want to admit they're using marijuana or how much they're using.

Ethical concerns and the federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug prevent researchers from conducting clinical trials involving weed and pregnant women.

Learn more

Will using marijuana affect our chances of getting pregnant?

What happens if I'm high during labor?

Is marijuana from a dispensary safer than the street drug?

How do I childproof marijuana edibles?

What do I do if my child eats something with weed in it?