Abstract
Objective This study aimed to estimate the proportion of perinatal women reporting a health
care worker (HCW) discussed cannabis use during pregnancy or breastfeeding with them
and to evaluate the association between HCWs' discussions and perinatal cannabis use
and cannabis use while breastfeeding.
Study Design Data from Health eMoms (a longitudinal, state-representative survey of Colorado mothers,
collected from 2018 to 2020 [n = 3,193]) were utilized in logistic regressions assessing the relationship between
HCW discussions about cannabis and perinatal cannabis use and cannabis use while breastfeeding
at two time points postpartum, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.
Results A total of 5.8% of the sample reported cannabis use either during their most recent
pregnancy or while breastfeeding at 3 to 6 months' postpartum. A total of 67.8% of
the sample reported an HCW-discussed cannabis at prenatal visits. Women reporting
perinatal use were more likely to report HCW discussing cannabis compared with nonusers
(82.2 vs. 65.3%, p < 0.01). There was not a significant association between HCW discussions and cannabis
use while breastfeeding at either time point postpartum. Compared with nonusers, women
using perinatally were more likely to report cannabis Web sites (28.9 vs. 6.5%), cannabis
stores (15.7 vs. 3.8%), or word-of-mouth (28.4 vs. 17.1%) as trusted sources of cannabis-related
information.
Conclusion HCW discussions about cannabis use during pregnancy or breastfeeding are not universally
reported. This study highlights the need for further encouragement of universal HCW
discussions of cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, strengthening of messaging
around cannabis use during these periods, and improved delivery of reliable cannabis-related
health information to this population.
Key Points
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HCW discussions of perinatal cannabis use are not universally reported by women.
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Women reporting perinatal use were more likely to report HCW discussions of cannabis.
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Women reporting perinatal cannabis use were more likely to trust word-of-mouth or
cannabis stores or Web sites.
Keywords
cannabis - breastfeeding - pregnancy - health care worker - longitudinal - epidemiology
