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Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

Will smoking pot affect our chances of getting pregnant?

Re: Will smoking pot affect our chances of getting pregnant?

The Bump Expert

While pot hasn't been shown to hurt baby before (or even soon after) getting pregnant, it's definitely a good idea to quit as soon as you decide to conceive. Smoking pot while pregnant can affect the function of the placenta and may result in low birth weight and fetal distress during labor. Moreover, newborn babies of pot-smoking moms may go into withdrawal upon delivery (suffering side effects like the jitters and a slow response to stimuli, to name a few). If you ask us, it's better to kick the habit on your own, well before you add a baby into the mix.

But enough about you. Wondering how your partner's pot smoking could affect your conception chances? A study from the University at Buffalo has linked pot smoking to decreased sperm count and, shall we say, confusion among the sperm he's got. The study followed men who smoked 14 times a week for an average of 5.1 years and found that those who smoked were significantly more likely to have reduced sperm count than men who didn't. The study also found that smokers' sperm were swimming too fast too soon -- their timing was off to successfully fertilize the egg. Because it takes a while for THC (the chemical in pot) to clear out of your body, it's hard to tell if men who've stopped smoking can get their boys back to a nonsmoker's state. But, regardless, these kinds of stats should make any dude think twice before picking up his next joint.

Colleen Canney | April 20 , 2010 1:05 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

This is a bunch of bull. I am a pot smoker and I have had no problems fertilizing my significant other's eggs. They have done studies on this matter and maybe some is true but for the most part, it does not effect the reproduction process enough to have serious problems. Marijuana is a miracle drug with all sorts of great properties. There is one down side to marijuana and that is the smoking part of the ritual. My partner was never a pot smoker until she became pregnant. The only reason she smoked it was because she was violently ill from the Morning Sickness. The medicine did work but not enough to were she had an appetite and she was losing weight. I suggested that she try taking a hit off my joint and she decided to. I knew it wasn't going to kill her or the baby or be harmful to the point of being dangerous. After she took a hit she was up immediatly and eating like crazy. She turned from being bed-ridden to cleaning the house, making dinner, watching movies, and enjoying things she loves. The only bad thing is the carbon monoxide that comes from smoking it. So I made her brownies and that not only took away the miniscule chance of some sort of problem(which no one has yet to prove harmful to the baby) but it made the effects last 4 times as long. One brownie when needed and she was good for the day. She started to gain the weight and the baby is healthier than a horse. So be smart and look at the reality of this situation. It is an illegal substance (shouldn't be) but it does help soooo much. It is far more important for the mother to have no stress during her pregnancythen to be losing weight and worried all the time. Just think about it. Be up front, Smoke a Blunt.

cchesaux | July 23 , 2010 7:41 AM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

My fiance and I both smoke and were smoking prior to conception. I use it medicinally and my doctor told me flat out that right now is not the time for me to be experimenting with different medications to figure out what will work for me. When I don't smoke I am in a constant state of anxiety, which is much more harmful to the baby than thc.

imbarbara3004 | July 30 , 2010 12:09 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

to the last two posters, the fact that you cannot recognize how harmful THC and the various other chemicals found in pot are to your (or your partner's) developing baby, goes to show that the drug has already shrunk your brains down to the size of a pea. I feel sorry for your respective offspring. It's not a miracle drug, you useless Burn-Outs, you're just justifying your destructive lifestyle choice and inflicting it on your children.

Khrysalis2009 | August 13 , 2010 8:33 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

To the last poster, the fact that you are completely unaware and ignorant of any mode of thought outside of Fox News and the like is horribly astounding. Before you come on a board to make others feel small for making choices that you dont, maybe you should do some research. If you took the time to expand your narrow little mind you would find that there is absolutely zero medical evidence to back you up. You will not find a doctors journal that can stand by your ridiculous point of view. Leave the "Burn-Outs" alone and instead focus on that little brain of yours. Do us all a favor and educate yourself. Especially before passing judgement..

asmylie | September 28 , 2010 8:47 AM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

^^^^^love

AishaCheney | October 12 , 2010 1:24 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

If you're interested in another point of view on the subject, one based on fact-finding research that uses the scientific method rather than mere speculation, here is an interesting place to start: http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/marijuana-cannabis-use-in-pregnancy-dr-melanie-dreher/ Or, just google Dr. Melanie Dreher and delve into her 30 years' worth of research yourself.

robandbethany | October 13 , 2010 2:20 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

Wow. Way to try to justify the fact that you're too selfish to give up your drug habit for your kid. Just have to get high, huh? No matter that all the studies done are inconclusive, and while there is a chance that it may not hurt the baby, there is just as big a chance that it will. But hey, as long as there's someone out there who says it MIGHT be okay, that's no reason to give up a potentially harmful substance for the well-being of your child. I mean, you'd have to face life sober, and that's just out of the question.

crymsonspyki | November 14 , 2010 10:57 AM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

Hey negative ones : The question was if it would harm chances for CONCEPTION. It says nothing at all about smoking during pregnacy.

erika1677 | January 24 , 2011 9:12 AM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

I smoked pot everyday for 2 years medicinally with my boyfriend, We had no problem getting pregnant.I was off my BC for less than a month and we got pregnant. Now that i'm 13 wks today, I quit smoking, only maybe once or twice a week to ease my still there morning sickness.

Sharibabi91 | March 10 , 2011 10:01 AM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

I am shocked at the hateful and judgemental words spouted by some women on these forums... If you have a preconceived notion of something without ANY information about it, that doesn't give you the right to give your self righteous opinion like you have all of the answers. I am a pot smoker but stopped as soon as I found out I was pregnant. It just didn't seem right to continue without knowing for sure how it would affect my baby.. but I know a handful of women that smoked pot occasionally during their pregnancies and gave birth to healthy, normal babies. In moderation it is fine, just like an occasional glass of wine is ok. Although I'm sure there will be some "holier than thou" opinions on that too. It is a personal choice. Stop being ignorant and judgemental ladies.. it's a very ugly quality.

devoncrabtree | May 27 , 2011 1:06 AM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

after researching and talking to my doctor... it's the smoking that is dangerous to a baby. smoking anything, even a banana peel, will tighten the blood vessels which in turn lessens the oxygen getting to your brain and the child. edibles are safe, since they eliminate the inhalation of anything but air... and are simply metabolized... there have been a few studies that show a man's fertile-sperm count is lessened on cannabis, but there are also studies that show there is no difference between smokers and non-smokers. i'd say that all evidence at this point is inconclusive in regards to cannabinoids, smoke, or thc on conception rates of humans. also... especially for those chiming in about how idiotic it is for someone to choose to take something potentially harmful... for those that are belittling another's life-choices... for those with no facts to back up their posts... "That's just like, your opinion, man." -The Dude. "Research and share, or GTFO" - Me. and... my $0.02 on the "that's no reason to give up a potentially harmful substance for the well-being of your child" and "how harmful THC and the various other chemicals found in pot are to your (or your partner's) developing baby" ... what kind of harmful chemicals/substances are you putting into YOUR body? do you eat things with preservatives? do you eat things with corn syrup? are you on any medications... like anti-depressants? do you live in a city with air pollution? how often are you stuck in traffic with your non-electric car idling? are the non-stick pans in your kitchen scratched? do you use air-freshener or fabreeze, etc? ALL OF THESE TYPICAL DAY-TO-DAY THINGS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH, AND CAN LEAD TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ISSUES IN GROWING CHILDREN. *whew*

rachylflower | June 10 , 2011 1:02 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

Yes and no. I think it really depends on how often and how much you smoke. I've known couples who both smoke pot and have had no problems with conceiving. However before conception my partner and I used to smoke literally every day and several times a day. For years (despite using no form of birth control what so ever) we did not conceive. Although we had suspicions that this habit might possibly have been to blame; we both decided to stop smoking for good for other reasons around the end of last year or earlier this year and voila! we conceived in March.

Shaniece23 | August 21 , 2011 7:33 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

While I do see that there may be some benefits to smoking, such as decreasing anxiety and easing morning sickness, studies about the affects of thc during pregnancy have been for the most part inconclusive. But a lot of studies have not been done because marijuana is still an illegal drug. However, there is one report that found that thc during pregnancy can cause depression in the child which shows its symptoms at about 9 years old. I wouldnt want to be the cause of my child suffering from depression. Inhaling smoke is very dangerous to the growing fetus.

gabrielan | August 22 , 2011 2:30 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

Although I don't know the medical response to your question, my probably widely supported opinion is that unless it is purely for medicinal purposes I don't believe "trying" for a child is the best idea if you are a pot-smoker. It is still an illegal drug, mind you. Come on...seriously?

josh-kate | September 06 , 2011 4:37 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

This is my first and probably the only post I will ever have hare... but this topic is too important to ignore! First of all... in an answer to the ACTUAL question ... it, like most other things, all depends on YOUR OWN BIOLOGY!!! My fiance is 38 and smokes daily due to his anxiety and insomnia (to those that are ignorant, please compare the side effects of prescription medicines to those of pot...case closed)... we got preggers without even trying... in fact, we were trying not to!! As far as consequences of smoking mothers (In my second trimester had a total of two brownies and three hits off a vaporizer). PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE educate yourselves!!! Here's a great study for one: http://www.marijuanalibrary.org/Pediatrics_Prenatal_m_exposure_0294.html For the most part, I myself choose to avoid marijuana while preggo (but do partake on occasion, just like YOU have an occasional glass of wine… I have not had a sip of alcohol at this and am well into my second tri, because it IS less healthy to be stressed)… but I make my choice not because of what the popular media would like me to accept as truth… Grow a brain, your OWN brain… and remember… learning is fundamental!!

zagadka321 | September 20 , 2011 12:35 PM

Q&A: Will smoking pot affect our chances of conception?

As many people have said, unfortunately there have not been many studies done on marijuana. There is a woman who studied pregnant woman in Jamaica over several years that is worth checking out. Some ignorant people on here obviously forget ( or are unaware) that Marijuana was LEGAL here for a very long time- ( I won't go into the politics and money, LIES, and racism that went into getting the drug illegal) and those people should read up on all the benefits of this plant. Woman struggle with many illnesses and ailments during pregnancy that marijuana can help alleviate. It is probably safest to eat it or use a vaporizer-and as with any drug- don't abuse it. Have a HAPPY and healthy pregnancy!

cielosky81 | February 27 , 2012 6:01 PM

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