Pregnant cannabis users gathered information primarily from internet searches and peers, were reluctant to discuss use with healthcare providers, and felt comfortable with their decision despite having questions.
Obstetricians, midwives, prenatal counselors, and maternal health researchers.
15 women interviewedrevealing consistent patterns of avoiding provider discussions and relying on internet/peers for cannabis pregnancy information
What the researchers found
Five key themes emerged: women used internet/peers for information, were reluctant to discuss cannabis with providers, used it for morning sickness/pain/mental health, were comfortable with their decision but had questions, and tried to mitigate breastmilk transmission.
Why it matters
Healthcare providers are missing critical opportunities to counsel pregnant cannabis users because patients are not disclosing use and providers are not asking.
The numbers in context
15 postpartum women interviewed (4 non-White, 4 Hispanic). All lived in Washington State (legal cannabis). Cannabis used during pregnancy for morning sickness, pain, and mental health.
How the study worked
Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 postpartum women who reported past-year cannabis use, analyzed using template analysis.
Who was studied
15 postpartum women in Washington State who used cannabis during and after pregnancy (2015-2017).
What this study cannot tell us
Small qualitative sample from one region. Self-selected participants may be more comfortable discussing cannabis. Washington State legal context may not generalize.
How to read the evidence
Small qualitative study providing rich patient perspectives; not generalizable but hypothesis-generating.
When this study was published
Interviews conducted in Washington State, one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis.
The bigger picture
This study reveals a communication gap between pregnant cannabis users and their healthcare providers that, if bridged, could improve both the accuracy of information women receive and prenatal care outcomes.
Replication
Small qualitative study; larger mixed-methods research would strengthen findings.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- What would help pregnant women feel comfortable discussing cannabis with providers?
- How can providers counter inaccurate internet information about cannabis in pregnancy?
Read the original research
Perspectives from women who engaged in prenatal and postpartum cannabis use in a U.S. State with legal non-medical use.
Preventive medicine reports, 31, 102075
Citation
Kiel, Linda; Hsu, Clarissa; Wartko, Paige D; Albertson-Junkans, Ladia; Ewing, John; Lapham, Gwen T. (2023). Perspectives from women who engaged in prenatal and postpartum cannabis use in a U.S. State with legal non-medical use.. Preventive medicine reports, 31, 102075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.102075