Pregnancy is a tough time. Many women experience a load of problems, such as nausea, mood changes, back and joint pain. Future moms, as well as those who recently gave birth, look for different solutions to feel better. CBD oil is among the options they try while dealing with some problems that often appear in pregnancy. Here is what experts and moms have to say about using CBD oil during and after pregnancy!
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant. Some cannabis strains have over 120 cannabinoids, and CBD is only one of them. However, it attracted attention for its therapeutic benefits.
The critical characteristic of CBD is that it isn’t psychoactive. It won’t get you “high” like cannabis products containing THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. But if you use products that contain little to no THC, there’s no danger of getting high. And that’s what CBD oil secures.
You can consume pure CBD oil, which comes in drops. Alternatively, there are other CBD products like edibles, topical formulas, and capsules.
What Are CBD Oil Benefits?
CBD’s effectiveness depends on the product’s purity, dose, and individual tolerance. Check out this brief overview of its potential benefits, and you’ll see why pregnant women find it so attractive:
- Pain relief. Many animal studies confirm that CBD can provide pain relief. That includes acute pain from surgery wounds, chronic nerve, inflammation, and other types of pain.
- Deal with nausea better. An article published in 2011 indicates that CBD oil can offer nausea relief. The explanation is that it affects serotonin production, which helps to soothe nausea.
- Promoting optimal sleep. A large study conducted in 2019 proved that CBD helps to achieve better sleep quality.
- Boosting your mood and relieving stress. If you are dealing with anxiety, CBD can help you feel calmer and better overall. It can also promote relaxation in people feeling stressed.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
In the US, the federal laws consider hemp products legal, but with a condition. Their THC content can’t go over 0.3%. The states have the freedom to implement different regulations. It’s why you need to check the laws in your area. Even some states where cannabis has legal status only approved medical marijuana products. You can check this map to learn more about cannabis legality in the US.
Why Some Pregnant Women Use CBD Oil
If you assess potential CBD benefits, you’ll realize why some pregnant women find it attractive. Morning sickness is common in pregnancy, and vomiting and nausea are critical symptoms. CBD can offer nausea relief and help a pregnant person through a rough patch.
Feeling down or nervous is also common in pregnancy, even if without a particular reason. Anxiety often causes problems falling asleep, which makes you more nervous. It’s a vicious circle that’s hard to break. Taking CBD oil might help you feel better and fall asleep faster. Promoting sleep quality also assists in feeling less stressed.
What Do We Know About the Effects of CBD Oil During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
The biggest problem is that there is no extensive research regarding CBD oil use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can find studies that discuss CBD’s benefits for problems experienced by pregnant women. There’s research that discusses the effects of all cannabinoids in pregnancy. But there are no comprehensive studies focusing on CBD, which is only one of many cannabinoids in this plant.
What Pregnant Moms Say About Using CBD Oil?
With not many studies available, it helps to hear what those who tried CBD oil have to say about it. A mom called Maggie talked about the problems she had with morning sickness during pregnancy.
“I had a condition where I was getting sick more than 20 times a day. The doctor suggested medicine, but I declined it when I heard about the side effects. I mentioned CBD oil, and after my doctor remained neutral, I went ahead and tried it. Only a small daily dose was enough to experience relief the first day. It also helped me to sleep and feel better overall.
Jennifer, another mom who tried CBD oil, says she used it cautiously during pregnancy.
“I tried different cannabidiol products, and they all helped me with my anxiety. It also seemed like my joint pain was under control. I made sure to go with a reputable brand and use oil that doesn’t have any THC.”
Is CBD Safe Before Pregnancy?
Are you a regular user who only found out they were pregnant? Even if you only used it once before pregnancy, there’s no reason to worry. The only component you should worry about in cannabis products is THC. Some studies suggest that this cannabinoid might cause early miscarriage. But if you only used CBD oil with low or non-existent THC content, you should be safe.
Make sure to mention your use to your OB/GYN. If you plan to continue using or try CBD during pregnancy, talk to a medical professional first. They know your individual medical details, which can help to make the right recommendation.