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Melissa Hutsell is an award-winning freelance journalist with a deep rooted passion for both community and international journalism. She was born and raised in Northern California, and has lived, studied, worked, and traveled in more 20 different countries. Melissa holds a Master's degree in Global Journalism from City University London, as well as degrees in Journalism and Globalization from Humboldt State University. Though she covers various topics as both a writer and editor, she specializes in business and cannabis journalism.
High-Risk Pregnancies: Why More Women Have Turned To Cannabis
The stigma surrounding cannabis use is fading – except for pregnant mothers.
A recent study, published in JAMA in December 2017, found that usage among pregnant women in California has risen by 62 percent from 2002-2014. The significant increase has caused alarm… but is smoking weed while pregnant really so bad?
VICELAND features the story of one expectant mother, Kim, and why she chose to use cannabis while carrying her child – a decision more and more women are making. But why?
Kim suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a condition known to cause debilitating nausea, vomiting, and dehydration through the last trimester of pregnancy. Approximately one in 100 women are diagnosed with HG in the U.S.
During Kim’s first pregnancy with her son, who is now a toddler, her condition was so debilitating that she and her husband almost considered terminating. She turned to cannabis for its effectiveness as an appetite stimulator, and as a nausea suppressor.
The internal and external pressure is on for women during pregnancy: “As you carry the future of our species within your womb, don't fuck this up,” the author said, satirically. “[…] the list of ways women are supposed to alter their lives to accommodate for their growing fetuses is long, and mostly reasonable.” Given the scientific evidence, alcohol and cigarettes are barred – but the same research does not exist for cannabis use.
For women like Kim, however, cannabis has proven to be more effective, and gentler than the plethora of pharmaceuticals prescribed to treat the ongoing symptoms of pregnancy, or HG (including pain, nausea, depression, anxiety – all things cannabis is proven to treat). While cannabis is proven to treat such issues, little is known about it’s effect on fetal development. Because so little is known, medical professionals continue to urge women to avoid using cannabis while pregnant.
For more on this topic, check out WEEDETIQUETTE's episode on "High-Risk Pregnancies."
