Is It Safe to Use Cannabis When I'm Pregnant or Trying to Become Pregnant?

Not using cannabis is the safest choice when pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Cannabis use can affect your ability to conceive a baby and may cause harm to your reproductive health.

During pregnancy, the placenta and umbilical cord connect you and your baby. The chemicals in cannabis can pass through the placenta to your developing baby and could affect their health and development.

Developing babies exposed to cannabis:

• Are at risk for preterm birth. This can make labour more difficult for you and create ongoing health problems for the baby.
• Are at higher risk for being born at a low birth weight. A low birth weight baby is more likely to have health issues and stay in the hospital longer.
• May be less able to self-soothe and may have problems with sleep after they're born
• May have long-term effects such as abnormal brain development, slower growth, learning disabilities, and behaviour concerns.

If you aren't able to stop using cannabis completely, try to reduce your use and your risk of harmful effects by following Canada's Lower-risk Cannabis Use Guidelines. For more information on Substance Use during Pregnancy, visit healthyparentshealthychildren.ca.

Does Cannabis Help to Treat Nausea & Vomiting During Pregnancy?

Using cannabis to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is not recommended. The safest choice is not to use cannabis when pregnant.

There are many safe options to help with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Speak with your health care provider about safer options to manage these symptoms. For more information on managing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, visit healthyparentshealthychildren.ca.

Is It Safe to Use Cannabis While Breastfeeding?

There's no known safe amount or form of cannabis to use while lactating/breastfeeding your baby. THC from cannabis is passed into breastmilk, and if this breastmilk is given to the baby, the THC is passed to them. It is important to know that THC can stay in your body for days or even weeks, so 'pumping and dumping' breastmilk will not get rid of the THC.

Cannabis in breastmilk can make your baby drowsy and make it harder for them to latch or suck properly. Longer term cannabis use while breastfeeding may affect your baby's brain development, which could cause learning and behavioural issues that last throughout their life.

Second-hand cannabis smoke can cause babies and young children to be sick. It can also affect their judgement, how well they understand and how alert they are. Keep your home and vehicle cannabis smoke and vapor-free.

If you aren't able to stop using cannabis completely, try to reduce your use and the risk of harmful effects by following Canada's Lower-risk Cannabis Use Guidelines.