Cannabis use during pregnancy increases the risk of several maternal health complications

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-07-23 01:00

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Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, weight gains greater and less than guidelines, placental complications, and a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, according to international researchers. The team analysed over 310,000 pregnancies in Northern California between 2011 and 2019, 20,000 of which screened positive for prenatal cannabis use, either by self-report or toxicology testing. Based on the findings, the researchers say that there is a complex association between cannabis use in pregnancy and maternal health, and highlight the need for further research.