Kratom & Pregnancy: What Do We Know So Far?
Pregnancy is a time when utmost care is essential for both the mother and the developing baby. Expecting mothers are advised to take special prenatal vitamins and consult their doctors before introducing anything new into their diet or routine. This caution is justified because the effects of supplements or medications on a developing fetus are often unknown and untested.
Pregnancy comes with a multitude of uncomfortable symptoms, ranging from morning sickness and headaches to constipation and stress. It’s natural for expecting mothers to seek natural remedies to alleviate these issues and make their pregnancy more manageable. However, it’s crucial to remember that not everything labeled as “natural” is safe for consumption during pregnancy.
If you are considering using kratom during pregnancy or if you are already using it, consulting your healthcare provider is highly recommended. In most cases, their advice will lean towards avoiding it altogether.
What is Kratom?
Understanding Kratom: A Brief Overview
Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a natural herb derived from the leaves of an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. While it’s often marketed as a natural dietary supplement in the United States, it’s important to note that kratom is not regulated and lacks FDA approval. Moreover, it has side effects that could potentially harm your developing baby.
Many people turn to kratom for its perceived benefits, including increased energy, pain relief, anxiety reduction, and stress and depression management. These benefits might seem appealing to pregnant women who often experience fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and heightened anxiety. However, it’s crucial to recognize that there is very little research on how kratom’s side effects may impact pregnancy and fetal health.
Why Kratom Could Be Dangerous While Pregnant
Exploring the Risks of Kratom Use During Pregnancy
Despite its potential benefits, kratom comes with side effects that are less than ideal for expecting mothers. Some of the most common side effects of kratom use include anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, depression, frequent urination, headaches, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, liver damage (with prolonged use), low libido, nausea, numbness, sedation, and withdrawal symptoms.
While these side effects can be challenging under normal circumstances, during pregnancy, they pose even greater risks. Here are a few reasons why kratom could be dangerous while pregnant:
1. Potential Weight Loss: Weight loss during pregnancy is generally discouraged unless advised by a healthcare provider for specific reasons. Pregnancy already puts a lot of stress on the body, and gaining weight is a natural part of the process. Using kratom, which may lead to weight loss, can add unnecessary stress to the body.
2. Exacerbation of Pregnancy Symptoms: Pregnancy often brings about frequent urination and constipation, and kratom could worsen these issues. Kratom’s potential to cause dehydration might lead to uterine contractions and early labor. Constipation could become more severe and painful, and nausea symptoms may be aggravated.
3. Risk of Dependence & Addiction: Continuous and increasing kratom use can lead to dependence and addiction, which can also affect the baby. Some cases have been reported where infants born to mothers who used kratom during pregnancy exhibited withdrawal symptoms, similar to those caused by certain pain medications.
Should I Stop Using Kratom if I Become Pregnant?
The Importance of Avoiding Kratom During Pregnancy
In short, yes, it is advisable to discontinue kratom use if you become pregnant. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare provider for guidance on safely discontinuing kratom use. The potential risks to your baby’s health are significant, and there is insufficient evidence to confirm the safety of kratom for a developing fetus.
One of the primary concerns regarding kratom use during pregnancy is the risk of liver toxicity. Kratom is metabolized in the liver, and it can transfer to the fetus through the umbilical cord, potentially leading to liver complications and disorders in the unborn child.
Moreover, there are various other natural herbs that should also be avoided during pregnancy for various reasons, and kratom is not the only one on the list. These herbs include Blue Cohosh (a strong uterine stimulant), Dong Quai (stimulates bleeding), Henbane (toxic), Mugwort (uterine stimulant), Horsetail (unsafe due to high silica levels), Nutmeg (believed to cause miscarriage in high amounts), Pennyroyal Lead (stimulates strong uterine contractions), and Uva Ursi (causes unsafe blood sugar reduction during pregnancy and nursing).
Why “Natural” Doesn’t Automatically Mean “Safe”
The Fallacy of Assuming Natural Equals Safe
Many people tend to believe that if something is labeled as “natural,” it must be safe. However, this assumption is not always accurate. Nature is replete with substances that are natural but highly toxic. A prime example is the Amanita phalloides mushroom (the death cap mushroom) and Atropa belladonna (Deadly nightshade), both of which are entirely natural but contain some of the world’s most deadly toxins.
The takeaway is that just because something is natural doesn’t guarantee its safety. While kratom is not inherently dangerous, it’s not automatically safe either. Some substances, including certain over-the-counter and prescription medications, and sometimes even natural herbs and supplements, should be avoided during pregnancy to reduce risk. The key is to trust your healthcare provider and engage in open and informed discussions about your kratom use, as they can help you find safer alternatives to alleviate uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
Can I Take Kratom While Nursing?
Considering the Safety of Kratom During Nursing
While it is possible to take kratom while breastfeeding, the more critical question is whether you should and if it’s safe for your infant. Existing reports on kratom use during breastfeeding are limited, and our knowledge in this area is far from complete. Therefore, it is safer to err on the side of caution and avoid using kratom during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Kratom contains alkaloids that may transfer into breast milk and, subsequently, to the baby during feeding. While some traditional medical practices involve dosing the baby by administering medication to the mother before breastfeeding, we currently lack comprehensive information about the short-term and long-term effects of kratom exposure on newborns and infants. Additionally, we need to determine if kratom can be excreted through the mother’s milk.
Given these uncertainties and the ethical challenges associated with testing the safety of kratom for babies, it is advisable for nursing mothers to refrain from using kratom until they have finished breastfeeding.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Kratom’s Safety Considerations During Pregnancy
In conclusion, kratom is generally considered safe for healthy individuals seeking relief from symptoms such as pain, anxiety, depression, stress, and low energy. Some kratom strains can even offer immune-boosting, cognitive, and nootropic benefits, making them appealing to a wide range of users. However, when it comes to pregnancy, the consensus is clear: it’s not considered safe.
Expecting mothers should avoid kratom during pregnancy to mitigate potential risks to the developing fetus. Nursing mothers should also exercise caution and refrain from using kratom while breastfeeding. As we await further research and studies on kratom’s effects during pregnancy and nursing, it is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of both mother and child by choosing safer alternatives when needed.
You might be interested in the following related topics on Wikipedia. Speaking of “pregnancy,” you might be interested in Pregnancy. Additionally, if you want to learn more about “kratom,” you can explore Kratom on Wikipedia.
