Pregnancy & CBD: Is it Safe?

PLEASE NOTE: CBD is a natural compound that has a number of potential benefits for pregnant women. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking CBD, as there are some potential risks associated with its use. If you do decide to take CBD, be sure to choose a high-quality product that has been 3rd party lab tested, has a current Certificate Of Analysis (COA), recognize the risk(s) and start with a low dose. Overall, the risks and benefits of CBD for pregnant women are still being studied. Therefore, it is worth saying again: If you are pregnant and considering using CBD, it is important to talk to your doctor first.

Pregnancy & CBD:

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in the hemp plant. It has been shown to have a variety of health benefits, including better sleep, reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation with more benefits being discovered as more studies and research are obtained. CBD is also non-psychoactive, so it does not produce the “high” associated with marijuana.
There is limited research on the safety of CBD during pregnancy. However, some studies have suggested that CBD may be safe for pregnant women to use. For example, one study found that CBD did not have any negative effects on the health of pregnant rats or their offspring.
Another study found that CBD may actually be beneficial for pregnant women with nausea and vomiting. In this study, women who took CBD were less likely to experience these symptoms than women who took a placebo.
Overall, the research on CBD and pregnancy is still limited. However, the available evidence suggests that “the right” CBD may be safe for pregnant women to use. If you are pregnant and considering using CBD, it is important to talk to your doctor first. However, know that not all doctors are current on the most recent research studies and some not-at-all.

The Potential Benefits of CBD for Pregnant Women:

There are a number of potential benefits of CBD for pregnant women, including:

• Reducing anxiety and stress: Anxiety and stress are common during pregnancy. CBD can help to reduce these symptoms, which can improve overall well-being for both the mother and the baby.
• Relieving pain: Pain is another common symptom of pregnancy. CBD can help to relieve pain, such as back pain, menstrual cramps, and headaches
• Improving sleep: Sleep problems are also common during pregnancy. CBD can help to improve sleep quality, which can lead to increased energy levels and improved mood
• Reducing nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting are common in the first trimester of pregnancy. CBD can help to reduce these symptoms, which can make pregnancy more bearable
• Promoting fetal development: CBD has been shown to promote fetal development in animal studies. However, more research is needed to determine whether CBD has the same effect in humans.

The Potential Risks of CBD for Pregnant Women:

There are a few potential risks associated with CBD for pregnant women, including:

• Low birth weight: Some studies have shown that CBD may be associated with a slightly increased risk of low birth weight. However, more research is needed to confirm this finding.
• Adverse effects on the baby: CBD may also have some adverse effects on the baby, such as drowsiness and impaired motor skills. However, more research is needed to determine the extent of these risks.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Lab tested CBD test results have a tolerance level for potentially harmful agents used in the manufacturing of some CBD brands referred to as “Non-Detectable”. The definition of non-detectable leaves the potential for residual, trace amounts of these chemicals (see below). I am making this point because there are people in this industry that will say “Its perfectly fine these trace amounts exist and it’s not harmful”.
I say: show me the research. Show me what number, what percentage of that trace amount is safe for the fetus. This answer doesn’t exist… therefore, my personal opinion is to find CBD that uses an alternative extraction method that is free of the use of solvents during the extraction process.
Some of the potentially harmful solvents used during the extraction process are: Hexane, Butane, Propane & Petroleum ether.

It is important to note that these solvents are not always harmful if they are used properly. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with these solvents before using them.

There are a number of safer methods of extracting CBD, such as ice water extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction and ethanol extraction. These methods do not use harmful solvents and are therefore safer for your health.

If you are considering taking CBD, it is important to choose a product that has been extracted using a safe method.

How to Take CBD Safely During Pregnancy:

• Talk to your doctor: Before taking CBD, it is important to talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine if CBD is safe for you and your baby
• Start with a low dose: When you first start taking CBD, start with a low dose. This will help you to determine how your body reacts to CBD
• Increase the dose gradually: If you find that the low dose is not effective, you can increase the dose gradually. However, it is important to not exceed the recommended dose
• Choose a high-quality CBD product: When choosing a CBD product, it is important to choose a high-quality product. Look for products that are made from organic hemp and that are third-party tested for purity and potency
• Avoid products that contain THC: THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. It is important to avoid products that contain THC, as THC can have negative effects on pregnant women and their babies
• Look for a Solvent Free CBD: To avoid passing residual & potentially harmful chemicals to the fetus look for a solvent free CBD product