The first trimester of pregnancy is when your body begins transforming to give a new life. It starts just after fertilization, when you don’t even know that you are pregnant, and ends after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your body goes through a lot, and you need something to cope with that change. In this situation, Delta 8 Gummies might help you.
To understand how D8 might make your first trimester better, you have to have the changes and challenges of that time and the potential benefits of D8 gummies. Let us explore these things through this article.
The First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first day after your last menstrual cycle is also the first day of your pregnancy. After 10 or 14 days, the egg will fertilize to form a zygote. After that, this zygote implants in the uterus for further growth. During the first trimester, the zygote develops rapidly. Here are changes visible in the zygote during the first trimester:
- The fetus develops a spinal cord and brain.
- The organs begin to divide from the zygote.
- The first trimester also witnesses the formation of the heart and heartbeat.
- In the first few weeks, arms and legs grow.
- By the end of eight weeks, the appearance of fingers and toes begins.
- The sex organs of the baby also become distinguishable by the end of the first trimester.
By the end of the first trimester, the baby is about 3 inches long and 1 ounce in weight. All these changes in the baby bring a rapid change in the mother. The body releases several hormones that impact every organ of the body. Due to this, a woman goes through several issues. Some of the are:
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Upset stomach
- Headache
- Food cravings
- Constipation
- Tender breasts
- Tiredness
- Heartburn
A woman might simultaneously suffer from all these issues or not observe any such symptoms throughout the pregnancy.
Delta 8 Gummies and First Trimester
Now, you understand the basics of the first trimester and the situations a mother goes through during that time. Delta 8 might help a mother deal with those situations.
- Nausea
Out of every five pregnant women, one suffers from nausea immediately after conception. Some women might suffer after five weeks but fight till the twenty weeks of pregnancy. D8 might keep your nausea under control. Several human and animal model studies on cannabinoids have shown a reduction in nausea symptoms.
- Pain Management
Pain during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, is ordinary among most women. The muscles around the body stretch and relax to prepare for the baby. The highest hit parts are the pelvis and lower back. Consistent cramps, headaches, swelling ankles, pelvic pain, and constipation accompany.
D8 is known to have analgesic properties. Moreover, being a natural herb, D8 is comparatively safer than other painkillers. A study in 2012 by the Journal of Experimental Medicine also reveals the pain-relieving properties of Delta 8.
Besides these, D8 might also deal with mood swings, appetite, anxiety, and sleep quality. So, in these ways, Delta 8 Gummies might benefit you in the first trimester of pregnancy. But is it safe to consume cannabinoids during pregnancy? Let us find out!
THC Metabolism and Pregnancy
In a study, researchers found a small amount of THC in a fetus, 15 minutes after THC consumption by the mother. Because of its lipophilic nature, THC easily overcomes the blood-brain barrier and enters through the placenta in the fetus. THC is detectable for approx 30 days in the bloodstream. It means if you consume D8 once a month, your fetus will be exposed to THC all the time.
When cannabinoids reach your body, they bind with two prominent body receptors, CB1 and CB2. The number of CB1 receptors is more in testes/ovaries and the brain. On the other hand, neuronal cells and immune cells are rich in CB2 receptors.
Current studies on ECS show that the human body also produces cannabinoids that have a significant role over memory, learning, sleep, pain, etc. The endocannabinoid system ( ECS) tightly regulates the signals by cannabinoids, vital for the healthy growth of embryos. Any disruption to these signal pathways might give two types of outcomes. They are
- Obstetrical Outcomes (implantation and preimplantation)
- Embryo Development (effects on the fetus).
You will learn about these two outcomes in detail through the next section.
Possible Effects of Cannabinoids on Obstetrical Outcomes
After fertilization, the fertilized egg gets attached to the uterus. This phenomenon is known as impairment. The process largely depends on a regulated process. Cannabinoids, such as D8, might affect implantation in the following ways.
- Impairment in Movement of Fallopian Tube
The fallopian tube is the passage between the uterus and ovaries. It leads to the movement of an egg from the oviduct to the uterus. The signals from endocannabinoids regulate the contraction and relaxation of muscles in the fallopian line.
- Non-hatched Embryo
In a study on mice with altered cannabinoid signals, researchers observed a higher mortality rate in offspring.
- Miscarriage
You might have seen women consuming folic acid supplements during pregnancy. Vitamin B9 ( folic acid) plays a significant role in embryo development, and a woman’s body does not synthesize folic acid. THC might hamper folic acid uptake, causing miscarriage or low birth weight.
Possible Effects of Cannabinoids on Embryo Development
As you know, THC passes to the fetus through the placenta and enters into blood circulation. THC gets stored in the fetus after its consumption by the mother. The brain of a fetus is 60% fat. Most fat tissues of embryos have the highest level of THC.
This THC might affect the CB1 receptors present in the brain. That might become a barrier to the efficient growth of new blood vessels. The cannabinoid might also affect the memory and learning of the offspring.
Risk-Benefit Ratio
While taking medicines during pregnancy, you should follow a balanced approach. Like Delta 8 THC, any drug or medication you consume will have specific risks to your embryo. You have to decide whether the benefits are worth the risks.
Conclusion
Most women do not realize pregnancy during the first few weeks of the first trimester. Thus, they might consume D8. But if you know about your pregnancy, try to consume THC only after professional advice. Since there is a lack of research on the effects of D8 on a pregnant human, it is better to consume D8 only when your doctor approves it.
