Observational Study of Cannabis Use Among Pregnant Women Who Used Nicotine.

Abstract

Objective: To characterize perceptions of cannabis use and motivations for use among a cohort of pregnant women who used nicotine.

Design: Descriptive observational.

Setting: Prenatal clinics in Kentucky where cannabis was illegal at the time of data collection.

Participants: Pregnant women (N = 81) who used nicotine.

Methods: We surveyed participants at each trimester. Participants completed routine clinical urine drug screening and self-report use measures for cannabis use. We report descriptive statistics.

Results: Of the 81 participants, 18.5% (n = 15) self-reported cannabis use in the past 30 days and 21% (n = 17) tested positive for cannabis on routine prenatal urine drug screening. Most participants believed that cannabis use was acceptable during pregnancy (83.8%, n = 67) and not a health hazard at all (61.7%, n = 50). Common motivations for use among those who self-reported included reduced stress (93.3%, n = 14), aid for sleeping (66.7%, n = 10), and reduced fear (66.7%, n = 10). In addition, 60% (n = 9) reported use to relax or relieve physical or emotional pain.

Conclusions: Changing perceptions regarding the acceptability of cannabis use in the prenatal period place pregnant women and their children at risk of harm. Our findings demonstrate a critical need for future research and clear public health messaging about the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy.