Women’s perspectives on cannabis use in pregnancy

Abstract

This critical literature review explores the perspectives of women on cannabis during pregnancy. Cannabis refers to psychoactive preparations derived from Cannabis sativa and has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including those affecting pregnancy. Although the evidence base remains limited, available research suggests that cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing, influenced by greater availability, legalisation, and inconsistent guidance from healthcare professionals, all factors which may shape women’s perceptions. A systematic search was conducted using nine databases: Taylor & Francis, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Apa PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE Complete (EBSCO), Public Health Database, Web of Science and other websites to identified peer-reviewed articles in the English language and published over the past five years. Key terms included ‘women’, ‘perspective’, ‘pregnancy’ and ‘cannabis’. Inclusion criteria focused on the perspectives of women of reproductive age on cannabis use during pregnancy, using qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method methodology. The PRISMA flowchart was utilised to guide the study selection process and fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological rigour was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and critical appraisal tools, while Braun and Clarke’s (2006) data analysis was used to analyse the articles. Four main themes emerged from the literature reviewed: 1) Women’s Perceived Therapeutic Benefit of Cannabis, 2) Abstinence and Modification of Cannabis Use, 3) Perceptions on Cannabis Safety and 4) Information-Seeking and Healthcare Engagement. Women and healthcare professionals appear to have limited knowledge regarding cannabis use during pregnancy, largely due to inconclusive evidence on its effects. Strengths and limitations were noted whilst reviewing the literature, including potential reporting and publication bias. This review highlights the need for high-quality research to better establish potential risks and benefits and to inform evidence-based guidelines. It also underscored the importance of stricter regulatory frameworks and enhanced training for healthcare providers.