Pregnancy And Pot: Weed Out The Facts

All across the country, states are legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use. As the laws have loosened around the use of marijuana, it’s common to hear about how safe – even beneficial – weed can be. It may seem like smoking weed just isn’t a big deal anymore. But if you’re pregnant – or may become pregnant – there are some important things to know before you light up a joint.

Can smoking weed during pregnancy hurt my baby?

When you’re pregnant, anything you put on your skin or into your body can affect the baby growing inside you – whether you’re eating it, drinking it, or smoking it.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that pregnant women do not use marijuana during pregnancy because it can cause harmful effects for the baby. Some research shows a lower birth weight and a greater chance of stillbirth or premature birth for babies whose moms smoked weed during pregnancy. And because marijuana smoke has a lot of the same chemicals as cigarette smoke, there are many of the same dangers for developmental delays in a developing baby. As your baby’s brain develops, any chemicals you ingest can affect that development.

What about edible marijuana?

Edible marijuana still contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which can affect the baby’s development. And because your body processes edible marijuana differently than smoked marijuana, it takes longer to feel the effects of edible marijuana. Some users eat more to feel the effects more quickly, but there’s no sure way to know how strong the marijuana is before eating it. This increases your risk of overdosing on edible marijuana.

I’ve been using medical marijuana. Is it safe for me to keep using it?

In short, no. It isn’t safe. Medical marijuana isn’t any safer than recreational marijuana. It carries the same risks for you and for your developing baby.

If you’ve been using medical marijuana, talk to your OB-GYN about safer alternative treatments.

I heard weed can help with nausea. Can I use it to help my morning sickness?

Again, the short answer is No. Even if you think the weed is helping alleviate one problem, it still carries the risk of causing more problems. If you’re having serious morning sickness, talk to your OB-GYN. There are FDA-approved medications to help with morning sickness. And these medications won’t harm your baby.

I smoked weed before I knew I was pregnant. Is my baby going to be OK?

If you stopped using weed as soon as you found out you’re pregnant, you’ve reduced the risks for yourself and your baby. But it’s still important that you let your OB-GYN know if you exposed your baby to marijuana at any point during the pregnancy. Your doctors can take better care of you if they’re fully informed about all risks.

What if I’m addicted?

If it’s hard or feels impossible for you to stop using weed, there are people who can help you. You can find resources on the website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA also has a 24-hour treatment referral line: 800-662-HELP (4357).

Weeding out the facts.

Both the CDC and ACOG recommend that women not use weed during pregnancy. Marijuana use has been associated with developmental delays, brain development, low birth weight, premature delivery, and stillbirth. It also increases the risk of dizziness, falls, and breathing problems for the pregnant mom. And because all marijuana isn’t the same, you never know the exact strength or chemical make-up of the weed you’re using, so you can’t be certain what the dangers and risks are.

If you’re pregnant or you might become pregnant, talk to your doctor honestly about all of your drug and alcohol use so your doctor can take the best care possible of you and your baby. You deserve to be healthy and to give your baby the best possible chance of being healthy.

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Understanding Abortion Pills: What to Know

July 21, 2026

If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves is an important first step as you weigh your decision. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Collage to talk through your questions and get accurate information at no cost. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken at different times. Mifepristone , the first, blocks progesterone, a hormone the body needs to maintain a pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy stops developing. The second drug, misoprostol , causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Risks and Side Effects Cramping and bleeding are expected parts of the process. Additional side effects can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Complications include: Incomplete abortion (pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus) Heavy bleeding that does not stop Infection Without in-person medical care, distinguishing normal symptoms from those requiring urgent attention is difficult. Why Gestational Age and Pregnancy Location Matter The FDA approved the abortion pill through 10 weeks of gestation. It is important to know how far along you are for your health and safety as you move through making your next decisions. A limited OB ultrasound also screens for ectopic pregnancy , a pregnancy outside the uterus that the abortion pill cannot treat and requires urgent care. A positive test alone does not rule out an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage , since hCG can remain elevated after pregnancy loss. Getting the Full Picture Collage offers free pregnancy testing and limited OB ultrasounds to give you the medical details you need before deciding anything, whether you're considering parenting, adoption, or abortion. Schedule your free, confidential appointment at Collage today. Kindly call the numbers for the branch nearest to you: Kearney: (308) 234-9880 Grand Island: (308) 675-2217 All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

Why Does an Ultrasound Matter Before an Abortion?

June 28, 2026

If you're considering abortion, there's one medical step that protects your health before anything else. An ultrasound confirms your pregnancy and provides information that a positive test alone cannot.

How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.