Supporting Clients Who Use Cannabis During Pregnancy

Talking about cannabis use during pregnancy still makes some folks nervous—especially in birth and medical spaces. But if we want to truly support families, we have to be willing to meet them where they are. That includes being open to conversations about cannabis.

As a cannabis-informed doula, I don’t ignore or avoid the topic. I create space for it. I support clients who use cannabis during pregnancy with care, honesty, and zero judgment.

Why Some Pregnant People Use Cannabis

Cannabis use during pregnancy isn’t new. What is new is a growing willingness to talk about it without fear or stigma.

Some pregnant people turn to cannabis to help with:

• Nausea and vomiting, especially from conditions like Hyperemesis Gravidarum

• Anxiety, PTSD, or depression

• Chronic pain or sleep challenges

• Appetite support

• Reducing the need for pharmaceuticals they don’t want to take during pregnancy

People don’t make these decisions lightly. Often, they’ve already tried other options. Sometimes cannabis is what finally gives them relief or helps them function.

What Support Looks Like

Support doesn’t mean agreeing with or encouraging everything someone does. It means listening, offering evidence-informed guidance, and walking beside them—not above them.

When a client shares that they’re using cannabis during pregnancy, here’s what I offer:

• A nonjudgmental ear First and foremost, I listen. Not just to what they’re saying, but what they might be afraid to say. So many people feel scared of being honest about their use—sometimes for good reason. My job is to hold that space safely.

• Up-to-date educationI share information about what we know (and don’t know) about cannabis and pregnancy. I talk through methods of use (smoking vs. tinctures vs. topicals), dosage, timing, and how it may impact both parent and baby.

• Legal considerationsI offer a realistic picture of what cannabis use during pregnancy means in our state—including what clients might expect from medical providers or social services. This helps people prepare, not panic.

• Harm-reduction toolsI never push for abstinence unless that’s the client’s goal. Instead, I offer harm-reduction strategies to support safer use. That might include switching to different consumption methods, decreasing THC content, or talking through what wellness looks like without cannabis.

• Emotional supportMany clients carry guilt, fear, or shame around their choices. I don’t brush that off. I hold it with them. Every person deserves to feel heard and affirmed, especially when navigating something as personal as pregnancy.

Doulas Can Be the Bridge

In a world where people often feel judged by their providers and misunderstood by their communities, doulas have the power to be a bridge. We can walk that fine line between support and safety, education and empathy.

We can say:“You are not alone. You’re not a bad parent. Let’s look at the full picture together.”

Supporting cannabis-using clients means honoring their autonomy, offering grounded information, and never shaming someone for doing what they need to survive or feel well in their body. That’s what true care looks like.