Physician Communication and Perceived Stigma in Prenatal Cannabis Use

ABSTRACT

Cannabis has long been widely used throughout the prenatal period. However, motives for prenatal cannabis use (PCU) have not been comprehensively examined. Stigmatization has been identified as a barrier to therapeutic cannabis use and related physician communication. Such stigma may be particularly salient in the context of PCU. One hundred and three women who reported current or past pregnancy were recruited online. Participants completed a survey querying prenatal experiences, substance use, and attitudes toward PCU. PCU was reported by 35 (34%) respondents. Treating nausea and vomiting of pregnancy was the most frequently reported reason for PCU (89%), and 24 (69%) reported substituting cannabis for pharmaceutical drugs. Sixty-two percent of PCU participants and 31% of non-PCU participants indicated discomfort discussing PCU with their physician, and 74% of PCU participants and 27% of non-PCU participants indicated they would not disclose PCU to their physician if it occurred in future pregnancies. Our findings suggest that PCU may reflect primarily therapeutic motives of relieving symptoms of morning sickness, nausea, low appetite, pain, and substituting for other prescription medications. Respondents reported discomfort discussing PCU with physicians, which was more pronounced among respondents with lived experience of PCU. Findings suggest PCU might best be evaluated within a therapeutic framework and highlight the importance of efforts to enhance patient-caregiver communication regarding PCU.

KEYWORDS:

• Behavior
• cannabis
• maternal health
• prenatal care
• psychology

Disclosure statement

Zach Walsh has received research support from Tilray and Doja Licensed Producers of cannabis. Zach Walsh was also compensated as a Director of Clinical Research for Indigenous Bloom Corporation, which is a private company devoted to providing opportunities for Indigenous communities in Canada to engage in the medical cannabis industry.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.