The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has published its position on use of pot during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

The bottom line.

Yes, there are limitations in the available data about marijuana’s effects on the fetus during pregnancy and on the neonate during lactation. However, ACOG has seen enough to recommend that during pregnancy and during breast feeding to advise “discontinuation of maternal use [of marijuana], whether recreational or medicinal.”

There are no FDA-approved indications regarding marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation. Also, there are no standardized formulations, dosages, or delivery systems. Smoking, the most common route of administration of THC, cannot be medically condoned during pregnancy and lactation, according to ACOG.

The use of marijuana during pregnancy is associated with lower scores on tests of attention, coordination, and behavior in offspring.

6/25/15 JR

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional deficiency in the world.

Researchers form Boston and London reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at the Center for Integrative Medicine, at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, reviewed the effects of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates when added to in vitro fertilization. (more…)

The most common use of ginger during pregnancy is to help relieve symptoms of queasiness and nausea.

Researchers at the University of Bergen, in Norway reviewed its safety in these women. (more…)

Researchers in Finland and Germany studied the first year of life. (more…)

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Trondheim, assessed whether exercise during pregnancy might prevent gestational diabetes and improves insulin resistance. (more…)

Researchers in the US and Mexico studied the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on immune function and inflammation. (more…)

Researchers at Mugla University, in Turkey, investigated the effects of physiotherapy on incision pain and functional activities. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Oslo, in Norway, studied the use of herbal supplements by pregnant Norwegian women. (more…)

Acupuncture is often recommended for obstetrical and gynecological (Ob/Gyn) conditions.

Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Oxford, in the UK, assessed the role of acupuncture for epidural pain. (more…)

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, studied healthy expectant mothers. (more…)

Researchers at Monash University, in Victoria, Australia, examined the scientific evidence for the use of CAM to stimulate labor. (more…)

Animal research suggests that a vitamin A deficiency adversely affects lung development and promotes airway hyper-responsiveness, which may predispose to asthma.

Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, in Maryland, examined the long-term effects of vitamin A supplementation early in life on asthma risk. (more…)

Researchers in the US and Mexico studied the value of taking supplements with a medical food — bars containing L-arginine + antioxidant vitamins — on the risk of pre-eclampsia. (more…)

An international group of researchers examined the association between mothers’ use of prenatal folic acid supplements and the risk of severe language delay in their children at age 3 years. (more…)

Researchers at Meir Medical Center, in Kfar Saba, Israel, studied the response to live harp music therapy and kangaroo care in the neonatal intensive care unit. (more…)

Many women want to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management during labor, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management.

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, evaluated the evidence supporting the aromatherapy for pain management in labor. (more…)

Prof. Ernst has reviewed all the studies. (more…)

Researchers at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina, studied the response to hydrotherapy (immersion or bathing) in women in spontaneous labor. (more…)