Among 484 postpartum mothers across 15 US hospitals, only one-third reported receiving any healthcare provider counseling about marijuana during pregnancy or postpartum, despite 60% having used marijuana at some point.
OB-GYN providers, postpartum care teams, lactation consultants, maternal health researchers
What the researchers found
In a multi-site survey of 484 postpartum mothers, 59.9% reported any lifetime marijuana use and 9.3% used during their current pregnancy. Nearly 40% described marijuana use among breastfeeding mothers as common or somewhat common. Only one-third received any provider counseling about marijuana. After adjusting for covariates, counseling was associated with nearly double the odds of mothers knowing about risks to children's learning (aOR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.13-3.29).
Why it matters
When most mothers have tried marijuana but few have been counseled by providers, there is a significant missed opportunity. The finding that counseling nearly doubles knowledge of learning risks suggests provider conversations can be effective when they happen.
The numbers in context
484 postpartum mothers across 15 hospitals; 59.9% lifetime marijuana use; 9.3% used during current pregnancy; ~40% viewed breastfeeding-mother marijuana use as common; 33% received any provider counseling; counseling associated with aOR 1.93 for knowing about learning risks
How the study worked
Multi-state cross-sectional survey at 15 US hospitals in the BORN network (June 2021 to August 2022). Convenience sample of postpartum mothers aged 21+ with newborns 34+ weeks gestational age. 48-item survey assessing demographics, use, attitudes, knowledge, and provider counseling. Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
What this study cannot tell us
Convenience sample may not be representative. Self-report subject to social desirability bias. Cross-sectional design cannot determine if counseling caused improved knowledge. Survey at academic medical centers may not reflect community practice.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: multi-site study across 15 hospitals with adjusted analyses, but convenience sampling.
When this study was published
2025 study with data collected 2021-2022
The bigger picture
As marijuana becomes more normalized, the gap between widespread use and sparse clinical counseling represents a systemic failure in prenatal and postpartum education.
Questions still open
- What barriers prevent providers from routinely counseling about marijuana in pregnancy?
- Would standardized screening and counseling protocols improve maternal knowledge?
Read the original research
Knowledge and Attitudes About Perinatal Marijuana Use Among US Postpartum Mothers: A Better Outcomes Through Research for Newborns Network Study.
Academic pediatrics, 25(3), 102616
Citation
Goyal, Neera K; Chang, Pearl W; Chung, Esther K. (2025). Knowledge and Attitudes About Perinatal Marijuana Use Among US Postpartum Mothers: A Better Outcomes Through Research for Newborns Network Study.. Academic pediatrics, 25(3), 102616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2024.102616
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