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Gould EE, Ganesh SS, Nguyen RM, Breton CV, Bastain TM, Dunton GF, Ceasar RC. The unseen patient: competing priorities between patients and providers when cannabis is used in pregnancy, a qualitative study. Front Glob Womens Health 2024; 5:1355375. [PMID: 38699460 PMCID: PMC11063236 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2024.1355375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to explore competing priorities when cannabis is used during pregnancy from the perspective of providers and Black and Latina people. Maternal cannabis use is increasingly common, but patients and providers alike struggle to navigate it. Methods This pilot used qualitative, constructivist ground theory methods to conduct semi-structured, remote interviews between 16 November 2021, and 7 February 2022 with 7 Black and Latina people who used cannabis during pregnancy, and 10 providers between 15 March 2022, and 6 April 2022, all of who were in Southern California, U.S. Results We identified three main findings: (1) Providers reported barriers to caregiving and relationship building with patients due to maternal cannabis use stigma, (2) Providers prioritized the fetus despite patients' current health system challenges that drove cannabis use, and (3) Both patients and providers engaged in personal research beyond the healthcare system to better understand maternal cannabis use. Discussion Our findings indicate that challenges exist between people who use cannabis during pregnancy and providers. Both groups need accurate, sociocultural sensitive information about maternal cannabis use via a harm reduction lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Gould
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Mian MN, Foti TR, Green A, Iturralde E, Altschuler A, Does MB, Jackson-Morris M, Adams SR, Satre DD, Ansley D, Young-Wolff KC. Exploring preferences for different modes of cannabis use during early pregnancy: A qualitative study. Addict Behav 2023; 146:107812. [PMID: 37490827 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rates of prenatal cannabis use are rising, yet little is known about modes of cannabis use during pregnancy. This focus group study with pregnant individuals aimed to examine use patterns and perceptions regarding common modes of prenatal cannabis use. METHOD Kaiser Permanente Northern California pregnant adult patients who identified as White or Black and self-reported cannabis use during pregnancy were recruited to participate (N = 53; 40% Black, 60% White; Meanage = 30.3, SD = 5.2). Eighteen focus groups with race-concordant facilitators followed a semi-structured format that queried participants on their prenatal cannabis use, including preferred modes of use (e.g., vapes, blunts, dabs, joints, edibles, topicals, pipes). Focus group discussions were coded and analyzed using a general inductive approach. RESULTS A range of modes were preferred, with no single mode predominant. Participants' preferences aligned with four themes: perceived effects and benefits of cannabis, health and safety, convenience and familiarity, and partner and friend influences. Participants sought modes that were accessible and familiar, provided consistent and quick relief for pregnancy-related symptoms, were aligned with partners or friends, and minimized perceived risks while also providing symptom relief. Participants desired evidence-based information about mode safety to better inform mode selection during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS A range of personal and social factors influenced mode preferences during pregnancy. Many participants desired to reduce harms and use cannabis more safely in pregnancy but received little mode-specific information to guide these preferences. Further research identifying mode-specific risks is needed to guide harm reduction approaches during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha N Mian
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
| | - Tara R Foti
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, United States
| | - Andrea Green
- Early Start Program, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Esti Iturralde
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Altschuler
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Monique B Does
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | | | - Sara R Adams
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Derek D Satre
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Deborah Ansley
- Regional Offices, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Kelly C Young-Wolff
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Castelli V, Lavanco G, D’Amico C, Feo S, Tringali G, Kuchar M, Cannizzaro C, Brancato A. CBD enhances the cognitive score of adolescent rats prenatally exposed to THC and fine-tunes relevant effectors of hippocampal plasticity. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1237485. [PMID: 37583903 PMCID: PMC10424934 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1237485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: An altered neurodevelopmental trajectory associated with prenatal exposure to ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) leads to aberrant cognitive processing through a perturbation in the effectors of hippocampal plasticity in the juvenile offspring. As adolescence presents a unique window of opportunity for "brain reprogramming", we aimed at assessing the role of the non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) as a rescue strategy to temper prenatal THC-induced harm. Methods: To this aim, Wistar rats prenatally exposed to THC (2 mg/kg s.c.) or vehicle (gestational days 5-20) were tested for specific indexes of spatial and configural memory in the reinforcement-motivated Can test and in the aversion-driven Barnes maze test during adolescence. Markers of hippocampal excitatory plasticity and endocannabinoid signaling-NMDAR subunits NR1 and 2A-, mGluR5-, and their respective scaffold proteins PSD95- and Homer 1-; CB1R- and the neuromodulatory protein HINT1 mRNA levels were evaluated. CBD (40 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to the adolescent offspring before the cognitive tasks. Results: The present results show that prenatal THC impairs hippocampal memory functions and the underlying synaptic plasticity; CBD is able to mitigate cognitive impairment in both reinforcement- and aversion-related tasks and the neuroadaptation of hippocampal excitatory synapses and CB1R-related signaling. Discussion: While this research shows CBD potential in dampening prenatal THC-induced consequences, we point out the urgency to curb cannabis use during pregnancy in order to avoid detrimental bio-behavioral outcomes in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Castelli
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cesare D’Amico
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies and ATEN Center, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Feo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies and ATEN Center, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tringali
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czechia
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Brancato
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Popoola A, Panday J, Taneja S, Greyson D, McDonald SD, Patel T, Darling E, Vanstone M. Pregnant and lactating people's strategies to mitigate the risk of cannabis consumption. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 19:17455057231202406. [PMID: 37776037 PMCID: PMC10541750 DOI: 10.1177/17455057231202406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple studies have demonstrated that pregnant and lactating people who use cannabis perceive a variety of benefits from that use, offering some explanation of why rates of use continue to increase. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore pregnant and lactating people's perceptions of the risks of cannabis use and understand what steps, if any, they take to mitigate these risks. DESIGN Qualitative description. METHODS We analyzed semi-structured interviews with 52 Canadians who made the decision to start, stop, or continue using cannabis during pregnancy or lactation between 2019 and 2021. Data collection iterated with analysis. We used a conventional (inductive) approach to content analysis. RESULTS Perception of risk was found to be an essential component of decision-making about cannabis use. We identified a cycle of "risk identification," "management," and "observation" of effects. First, the pregnant or lactating person assesses the risks and weighs them against the perceived benefits of cannabis use. Second, they take action to minimize risks, with some choosing abstinence. Others, often those who were using cannabis to manage symptoms, continued cannabis use but devised a variety of other risk mitigation strategies such as, decreasing the amount or frequency of their use, changing the form of cannabis, and strategically timing their use with caregiving responsibilities. The final stage of the cycle involves seeking information about whether or not the initial perceived risk has manifested after implementing mitigation strategies, through observations and clinical information about the pregnancy or child. CONCLUSION Participants consistently engaged in deliberation about the risks and benefits associated with their perinatal cannabis use. Nearly all implemented strategies intended to minimize risk. Our results highlight the need for more research to inform clear public health messaging about risk mitigation to minimize the potential harms of perinatal cannabis use. This work informs clinicians about patient-perceived risks and mitigation strategies which could in turn help inform shared decision-making conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuoluwa Popoola
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Janelle Panday
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Shipra Taneja
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Devon Greyson
- Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah D. McDonald
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology and Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Tejal Patel
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Darling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Meredith Vanstone
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Kiel L, Hsu C, Wartko PD, Albertson-Junkans L, Ewing J, Lapham GT. Perspectives from women who engaged in prenatal and postpartum cannabis use in a U.S. State with legal non-medical use. Prev Med Rep 2022; 31:102075. [PMID: 36820379 PMCID: PMC9938312 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.102075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests fetal risks are associated with cannabis use during pregnancy. Yet, insights into women's decision-making and cannabis use during pregnancy are limited. This study explored these concepts with postpartum women who used cannabis during and after pregnancy. We conducted interviews with 15 women (4 self-identifying a race other than White and 4 self-identifying Hispanic ethnicity) who: 1) lived in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, 2) reported past-year cannabis use on a routine screen, and 3) had documented pregnancy and delivery March 2015-May 2017. Semi-structured interviews asked about decision-making and cannabis use during pregnancy and postpartum. We used template analysis for coding and analysis. The key findings included that women: 1) gathered information about cannabis use during pregnancy primarily through internet searches and discussions with peers; 2) were reluctant to talk with health care providers about cannabis; 3) used cannabis while pregnant to treat health issues, including morning sickness, pain, and mental health conditions; 4) were comfortable with their decision to use cannabis while pregnant, but had questions about long-term effects; and 5) tried to mitigate transmission through breastmilk. Women decided about cannabis during pregnancy based on their experience, health symptoms, and information gathered from the internet and peers, often without guidance from their health care provider. Results point to opportunities for providers to become informed about and engage in discussion with patients about cannabis use during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Kiel
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle WA 98101, United States,Corresponding author.
| | - Clarissa Hsu
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle WA 98101, United States
| | - Paige D. Wartko
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle WA 98101, United States
| | - Ladia Albertson-Junkans
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle WA 98101, United States
| | - John Ewing
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle WA 98101, United States
| | - Gwen T. Lapham
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle WA 98101, United States,Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Fourth Floor, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
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