Cannabis & Pregnancy
Images from Kyrie K – Chicago NORML
Can women find empowerment in cannabis and in pregnancy? Jondae Scott, member/instructor for Chicago NORML leads a discussion with women’s health and cannabis advocate Ashley Bailey in her experience as an expecting mother – as well as handling the societal and traditional stigmatization of motherhood when finding relief through the use of cannabis. The virtual sit-down was part of this year’s Chicago NORML Virtual 420 Summit.
“It may seem taboo, but it’s not. It’s okay to speak up.”
– Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
“I fell into a space where I needed to know if there were more women who felt like I did and who were as sick as I was during my pregnancy, what they used and the relief they needed.”
– Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
Ashley spoke of how she found empowerment through holistic practices by easing the natural, negative symptoms of pregnancy which can include
Pain and Cramping
Nausea and Vomiting
Ability to sleep
Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
Anxiety and Mood Swings
“[Cannabis] is something that people have been using for years to help ease nausea and labor pains, but it doesn’t want to be talked about.”
– Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
When she was asked by others why she chose to smoke cannabis during her pregnancy she would tell them of the nausea that would not allow her to hold down much of anything, let alone an edible. The most effective method of delivery of cannabis for Ashley was through inhalation. However, she took extreme precaution while smoking cannabis during her pregnancy; highlighting the fact that she did not use tobacco papers or other accessories other than a bowl pipe.
“It was the best thing that I could have done to save my pregnancy and save my health.”
– Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
Ashley was drastically losing weight from the nausea and vomiting induced by her pregnancy. She discussed using cannabis with her doctor and he was fine with her usage and delivery method.
She received backlash from some family at first, but once explaining the relief she felt from using the natural cannabis plant, they accepted her decision and supported her along the way. Explaining that medications she and many other soon-to-be mothers were being prescribed by doctors may be more harmful than helpful to the unborn child. Jondae also notes that she knows many mothers who chose to consume cannabis through smoking, eating edibles, or using tinctures.
“You’re looked at as a bad mother but if I can’t take care of myself as a mother, I can’t take care of my child.”
– Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
It came down to a serious decision for Ashley. She confides in Jondae that when the symptoms of her pregnancy caused her to become ill to the point she had considered terminating her pregnancy.
Jondae then asks a crucial question on mental health and the emotional side effects of pregnancy. In addition to many women facing Post-Partum Depression, many experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. “I don’t want women to feel that way.” – Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
Cannabis used in its medicinal form would help.
“Do you think that some want to use, and they can’t, leads to more depression?”
– Jondae Scott, Chicago NORML
Ashley was in agreeance, she recalls how she and other mothers worried about being drug tested at work or much more graver consequences such as having their children taken away. She states that women have the right to choose and that they should own that power. “It’s your body, it’s your child and you have every right to make whatever decision you want to make for that baby.”
“I’m using something that will help me and my child, but you want to take my child from me!” – Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
Another point highlighted in their discussion was on religion and spirituality. Ashley did not let her spiritual beliefs influence her cannabis consumption. The same could not be said for some people she knew. “They are very devoted to their religion and I understand it, but think about your health and your child. At the end of the day this will ease that agony that you’re going through.”
There was a time when the old glass of wine for instance had become a remedy for a lot of things for women but not necessarily encouraged in the women of color or the African-American women community. You didn’t see too many ads or mentions of Black women being suggested a glass of wine every day afterward. – Jondae Scott, Chicago NORML
Why is it that alcohol and pharmaceuticals are encouraged and often accepted while still being researched, yet the same cannot be said for Black women in cannabis?
“It’s okay for a woman to drink a full bottle of wine and to consume a xanax and no one says anything.”
– Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
National Center for Health Statistics, final natality data.
Retrieved September 08, 2020, from www.marchofdimes.org/peristats.
There is not enough research being conducted or progress made. The knowledge that is learned needs to be diversified.
“The number of c-sections that women of color get is beyond what it should be compared to white women who have insurance or maybe of a certain tax bracket.” – Ashley Bailey, Chicago NORML
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, during 2016-2018, Black women were the highest percentage of cesarean deliveries in the United States at a rate of 35.4%, while White cesarean deliveries fell at 31.1%. Misinformation and miseducation are part of the problem.
https://www.facebook.com/marchofdimesil/
Pregnancy and The Plant do share this in common; they’re both natural and have been practiced by multiple cultures for centuries. Ashley and many other women chose to consume cannabis while pregnant under the care of a physician in the form of inhalation through smoking cannabis flower or vaping, consuming edibles and tinctures, or using topicals, creams, or salves.
Images from Kyrie K – Chicago NORML
You can watch Cannabis & Pregnancy on the Chicago NORML YouTube channel.
Check out this very candid seventeen-minute video part of the Virtual 420 Summit. Jondae really goes the extra mile with Ashley; asking her raw, real questions that are not discussed within minority communities that do not have 420-friendly parenting resources available to them.