Did someone say ‘munchies’? More women using pot while pregnant

Babies and ... bongs? There’s been an increase in marijuana usage among pregnant women, a new study shows.

Nearly 4% of pregnant women reported marijuana use in the “past month,” according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study, conducted between 2002-2014, surveyed more than 200,000 women age 18-44. The prevalence of “past month” marijuana use among pregnant women increased with 3.85% reporting in 2014, up from 2.37% in 2002. “Past year” use jumped even higher, to 11.63% in 2014, compared to 8.64% of pregnant women reporting they used pot in 2002.

Everyone knows to abstain from tobacco smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy, but the science is less clear on marijuana. Dr. Iffath Hoskins, director of Safety and Quality in the Department of Ob/Gyn at NYU School of Medicine, says that some women turn to marijuana during pregnancy to ease nausea and vomiting. But, she’s quick to note, doctors don’t exactly encourage this yet, because the science on the dangers of marijuana have yet to be adequately studied.

“No detailed info is available, regarding pros and cons, because it's still too early to tell,” Dr. Hoskins told The News.

But despite medical marijuana being legalized in 25 states, pregnancy-related conditions aren’t among those treated by legal cannabis.

The study warns that this jump in marijuana use among pregnant women is cause for concern regarding adverse effects of marijuana use to newborns.

So far, the research is limited — some studies show little to no effect, while some studies, Dr. Hoskins said, showed decreased birth weight and jitteriness in newborn animal subjects. “This shows that the substance crosses the placenta and goes to a developing fetus.”

Mothers are even warned not to smoke while breastfeeding as marijuana can pass into breast milk.

The study authors noted the limitations of their research, particularly that self-reporting, isn’t a guarantee of accuracy or honesty.

“To ensure optimal maternal and child health,” the study reads, “practitioners should screen and counsel pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy about prenatal marijuana use.”