Kratom and Pregnancy

Kratom, an herbal product that has traditionally been used for some purposes, has received a lot of attention from the media in recent years. Some of this attention has been positive, and some has been negative. One area where kratom has come under scrutiny is its potential effects on pregnancy.

Due to the lack of scientific research on kratom, there is very little data on how it may affect pregnancy. In the last four years, however, the media have gone crazy! At least six so-called case studies of pregnant kratom use, totaling seven infants in North America, have been published. 

The newborns in these reports exhibited symptoms of consistent withdrawals. Another report warned healthcare workers to be aware of kratom’s potential side effects on maternal and infant outcomes. 

That being the case, the issue turned out to be an attack on kratom. Let's take a look at the relationship between kratom and pregnancy together in this blog.

Is Kratom Safe During Pregnancy?

While there are no epidemiological data on kratom and pregnancy, the media dared to point out the 'obvious' link between kratom and pregnancy. 

Troy Farah, an independent reporter, on the other hand, was not interested in a couple of case studies presented by the media and personally spoke to pregnant women using kratom. 

Even though they are just anecdotes, not data, these stories can illustrate kratom usage in pregnancy. If you wish, let's give an ear to these women:

Barbara:

“Almost all of the birth stories, the babies are born perfectly healthy without any issues at all. But there is a very small percentage, about 3 percent, that have mild withdrawal symptoms. Of those cases, about half of those moms were taking other medications and those medications have the same possible side effects, so we do not know whether it was kratom or the other medication. And in those cases, if it was withdrawal, it was very mild. In almost every case it just included fussiness and sneezing, which ended on the third day”

Jen:

“If it wasn’t for kratom, I wouldn’t have had another baby because I was on so much medication. When I found kratom, it literally saved my life. I was on seven different prescriptions and over 60 pills a day. I could barely get off the couch and my life was wasting away … after two months of kratom, I was able to stop taking everything”

Eliza:

“I didn’t feel comfortable telling anyone other than my husband, my doctors, and immediate family members that I was taking kratom during pregnancy for fear of disapproval or judgment. I had a beautiful and uncomplicated vaginal birth, yet we declined visitors and told friends that I’d had a complicated C-section delivery to justify such a long postpartum hospital stay.”

Can You Take Kratom While Pregnant?

It's no secret that kratom has become increasingly popular in recent years. This plant-based substance has been used for centuries for its effects. 

However, there is one group of people who should exercise caution when taking kratom: pregnant women. While there is no definitive answer as to whether or not kratom is safe for pregnant women, the general consensus is that it is best to avoid it altogether. 

Because there has been some research indicating that using substances during pregnancy is dangerous. Moreover, there are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, there is limited research on the effects of kratom on pregnant women and their babies. Until we know more, it's better to err on the side of caution.

Finally, kratom is unregulated, which means that it's difficult to know exactly what you're getting when you take it. This is especially troubling for pregnant women, as they need to be extra careful about what they put into their bodies.

Quick Takeaway

Kratom is not an ideal herb to take while pregnant, though more research still needs to be conducted in order to make any definitive claims. 

However, there are many other safe and effective ways to treat pregnancy-related issues, so it is best not to take any chances with kratom.