Cannabis addiction in pregnancy linked to higher risk of postpartum psychiatric crises
Women diagnosed with cannabis use disorder during pregnancy were more likely to end up in an emergency room for a psychiatric problem in the year after giving birth, according to a study of more than 2 million California deliveries.
A new study has found that women diagnosed with cannabis use disorder during pregnancy are more likely to require psychiatric emergency care in the year following childbirth. Researchers from UC Merced, Michigan State University, and UCLA analyzed data from over 2 million California deliveries and discovered that 10% of women with cannabis use disorder experienced a psychiatric emergency department visit during the postpartum year, compared to just 15.6% of women with alcohol use disorder and less than 3% of women without any substance use disorder.
This suggests that the growing number of women using cannabis during pregnancy, now that it is legal in California, poses a higher risk for serious psychiatric problems. While the study does not prove causation, it emphasizes the need for earlier mental health and substance use screenings to support pregnant and postpartum women who may be struggling with cannabis addiction.
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