Reasons for cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation: a qualitative study.
Journal
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
ISSN: 1488-2329
Titre abrégé: CMAJ
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 9711805
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
20 12 2021
20 12 2021
Historique:
accepted:
19
10
2021
entrez:
21
12
2021
pubmed:
22
12
2021
medline:
7
1
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Cannabis use among pregnant and lactating people is increasing, despite clinical evidence showing that cannabis use may be associated with low birth weight and childhood developmental deficits. Our objective was to understand why pregnant and lactating people use cannabis and how these motivations change across perinatal stages. Using qualitative, constructivist grounded theory methodology, we conducted telephone and virtual interviews with 52 individuals from across Canada. We selected participants using maximum variation and theoretical sampling. They were eligible if they had been pregnant or lactating within the past year and had decided to continue, cease or decrease their cannabis use during the perinatal period. We identified 3 categories of reasons that people use cannabis during pregnancy and lactation: sensation-seeking for fun and enjoyment; symptom management of chronic conditions and conditions related to pregnancy; and coping with the unpleasant, but nonpathologized, experiences of life. Before pregnancy, participants endorsed reasons for using cannabis in these 3 categories in similar proportions, with many offering multiple reasons for use. During pregnancy, reasons for use shifted primarily to symptom management. During lactation, reasons returned to resemble those expressed before pregnancy. In this study, we showed that pregnant and lactating people use cannabis for many reasons, particularly for symptom management. Reasons for cannabis use changed across reproductive stages. The dynamic nature of the reasons for use across stages speaks to participant perception of benefits and risks, and perhaps a desire to cast cannabis use during pregnancy as therapeutic because of perceived stigma.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Cannabis use among pregnant and lactating people is increasing, despite clinical evidence showing that cannabis use may be associated with low birth weight and childhood developmental deficits. Our objective was to understand why pregnant and lactating people use cannabis and how these motivations change across perinatal stages.
METHODS
Using qualitative, constructivist grounded theory methodology, we conducted telephone and virtual interviews with 52 individuals from across Canada. We selected participants using maximum variation and theoretical sampling. They were eligible if they had been pregnant or lactating within the past year and had decided to continue, cease or decrease their cannabis use during the perinatal period.
RESULTS
We identified 3 categories of reasons that people use cannabis during pregnancy and lactation: sensation-seeking for fun and enjoyment; symptom management of chronic conditions and conditions related to pregnancy; and coping with the unpleasant, but nonpathologized, experiences of life. Before pregnancy, participants endorsed reasons for using cannabis in these 3 categories in similar proportions, with many offering multiple reasons for use. During pregnancy, reasons for use shifted primarily to symptom management. During lactation, reasons returned to resemble those expressed before pregnancy.
INTERPRETATION
In this study, we showed that pregnant and lactating people use cannabis for many reasons, particularly for symptom management. Reasons for cannabis use changed across reproductive stages. The dynamic nature of the reasons for use across stages speaks to participant perception of benefits and risks, and perhaps a desire to cast cannabis use during pregnancy as therapeutic because of perceived stigma.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34930765
pii: 193/50/E1906
doi: 10.1503/cmaj.211236
pmc: PMC8687504
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
E1906-E1914Subventions
Organisme : CIHR
ID : FRN 167972
Pays : Canada
Commentaires et corrections
Type : ErratumIn
Informations de copyright
© 2021 CMA Joule Inc. or its licensors.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests: From April to December 2019, Janelle Panday was employed as a research analyst at PureSinse Inc. (a licensed cannabis producer), outside the submitted work. She does not hold any remaining financial or personal connection to PureSinse, which is no longer in operation.
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