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Medicating in Pregnancy
Submitted By: Anonymous
The choice to use any medications during pregnancy, including medical marijuana, is best made between the pregnant person and their medical provider.
I medicated with marijuana during my pregnancy, and this is my story.
Before pregnancy I was a legal medical marijuana card holder. After I became pregnant I talked to my OBGYN about my marijuana use to get their opinion on the matter.
I had made up a set of rules for myself. I would only use a vape, and I would use it as sparingly as possible. Most days that meant only one puff per day. This made ME feel better about using this medication during pregnancy.
Why did I feel the need to medicate with marijuana at all?
I was going through one of the most depressive times of my life. I was in a lot of pain physically and emotionally and the pregnancy only amplified that. One puff was enough to get me to stop crying on days where I otherwise couldn't. It helped dull the pain enough for me function. Remember, you can't take Ibuprofen (among so many other things) while you are pregnant.
What did my OBGYN say?
I was so nervous to talk to my doctor about it. When I brought it up, I explained my "rules" and what I was going through.
My doctor said "I think the amount that you are using, and how you are using it is acceptable. There are worse things that I could prescribe you right now for what you are dealing with."
I felt a sigh of relief.
I was not prepared, however, to lie when I got to the hospital.
Fast forward to labor and delivery. I had stuck to my "rules" and it was time to have this baby.
While I was in triage they asked me if I smoked, or if I was on any medications. I was so worn down from the contractions and being in labor that I just told the truth. I said that I had my medical card, that I vaped, and I had my doctor's approval. They seemed vaguely disapproving, but I had more important things to worry about at the time.
For the most part the delivery went well, and I a healthy baby.
It wasn't until the next day that I felt one or two of the nurses had seen my chart and treated me differently. Just before being discharged someone came in to inform me that my information had been turned in to CPS and I should expect a visit in the next few days.
WHAT.
I felt stunned. I was a good person, I had a PERSCRIPTION for this particular medication, I had approval from my doctor. Why was I suddenly being persecuted?!
A couple days later a CPS worker knocked on my door. She was incredibly kind. She took a look around my house, checked on the baby, and apologized for even having to be there. She genuinely thought it was a waste of time, but explained that since marijuana was still illegal on a federal level, they have to investigate every case.
My case as dismissed as quickly as it was opened.
Let me tell you, it was so nerve-wracking, especially after feeling that I had covered my bases and that I wasn't doing anything wrong.
From what I have heard from other moms, this scenario is par for the course.
It is to be expected at this point if you are medicating with marijuana during pregnancy, you'll get a visit from CPS. That's not the way it should be. We are patients not criminals.
We still have a long way to go until the medical field catches up and fully understands cannabis, and how it can be used as true medicine.
