Important: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration strongly advises against using CBD, THC, or marijuana in any form during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please discuss any questions with your obstetrician, midwife, or pediatrician.
This is one of the most important pages on this site to be honest about. The wellness narrative around CBD has produced misleading content suggesting CBD might be appropriate during pregnancy. The FDA’s position, the available evidence on cannabinoid exposure to a developing baby, and the precautionary principle all point the same direction: do not use CBD during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The short version
- The FDA strongly advises against CBD, THC, and marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Cannabinoids cross the placenta, and THC and its metabolites have been documented in human breast milk for days to weeks after use.
- Animal and observational research on cannabinoid exposure during pregnancy raises concerns about fetal development, birth weight, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Definitive human clinical trials cannot ethically be conducted, so the precautionary stance is appropriate.
- If you become pregnant while using a CBD product, talk to your obstetrician or midwife. Stopping is the standard recommendation.
What the FDA has said
The FDA’s Consumer Update on cannabis and pregnancy is direct: the agency strongly advises against using CBD, THC, or marijuana in any form during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The reasoning includes:
- Cannabinoids can cross the placenta and reach the developing baby
- Cannabinoids can pass into breast milk and reach the infant
- The FDA cannot guarantee that a CBD product is free from contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contamination), which is a concern in any pregnancy
- The full effects of CBD on a developing baby are not known, and research limitations mean they cannot be characterized with the precision pregnancy decisions warrant
This is one of the strongest stances the FDA has taken on consumer CBD use.
What is known about cannabinoid exposure during pregnancy
The honest summary of the research:
- Cannabinoids cross the placenta. This has been demonstrated for THC and CBD in animal and human studies.
- THC accumulates in breast milk and is detectable for days to weeks after maternal use, even after a single exposure in some studies.
- Observational human studies of prenatal cannabis exposure have associated maternal cannabis use with lower birth weight and, in some studies, neurodevelopmental differences in children. Confounding from coexisting smoking and other substance use limits some of these analyses, but the overall pattern is not reassuring.
- Animal-model studies of cannabinoid exposure during fetal development have shown effects on developing nervous-system structures.
What is NOT available is a body of randomized controlled trials in pregnant humans — for ethical reasons that should be obvious. This means the question is settled by precaution and observational data, not by clinical-trial certainty.
Why “natural” does not equal “safe in pregnancy”
This is worth saying directly. Many natural substances are unsafe during pregnancy: alcohol, nicotine, certain herbs, retinol-containing skincare, certain essential oils, raw fish for listeria risk, and others. “Natural” is not a useful safety signal during pregnancy. The relevant question is what is known about the substance crossing the placenta and what its developmental effects are.
For CBD specifically, the precautionary stance is appropriate.
What about CBD topicals during pregnancy?
Topical CBD has minimal systemic absorption compared to oral, and the FDA’s stance on topical CBD during pregnancy is less specific. That said, the precautionary principle still applies: pregnancy is generally a time to minimize exposure to substances whose effects on the developing baby have not been well studied. Discuss any topical use with your obstetrician or midwife.
What about morning sickness, sleep, anxiety in pregnancy?
These are real concerns that drive the question, and there are evidence-based options for each:
- Morning sickness: First-line vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), with doxylamine added if needed. The combination is FDA-approved as Diclegis for nausea/vomiting of pregnancy.
- Sleep: Sleep hygiene, side-lying with appropriate support, treatment of restless legs syndrome (which is more common in pregnancy and often related to iron status).
- Anxiety: Discuss with your obstetrician. CBT and selected medications are sometimes appropriate, with the prescriber-patient conversation grounded in your specific circumstances.
If you became pregnant while using CBD
This happens, and is worth handling calmly. Tell your obstetrician or midwife. They have heard this before and will help you think through next steps. The standard recommendation is to discontinue CBD, but how to do that and what to monitor is a conversation with the treating clinician.
What we offer at New Phase Blends
We make third-party-tested CBD products designed for general wellness use in non-pregnant adults. They are not formulated, tested, or marketed for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We strongly support the FDA’s recommendation against CBD use during pregnancy and lactation.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBD safe during pregnancy? No, the FDA strongly advises against CBD use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What if I used CBD before I knew I was pregnant? This is common with any pregnancy-incompatible exposure. Tell your obstetrician or midwife so they can advise. Most isolated exposures before recognition of pregnancy do not change pregnancy management.
Is CBD safe while breastfeeding? No, the FDA also advises against CBD use during breastfeeding. THC and likely CBD pass into breast milk.
What about hemp-seed oil products? Refined hemp-seed oil contains negligible cannabinoids and is sold as a culinary or skincare product. This is different from CBD-containing products. If you have questions about a specific product, ask the manufacturer for a certificate of analysis or ask your obstetrician.
Disclaimer: The statements made on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and are not intended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The information here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed medical professional. The FDA strongly advises against CBD use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
