Substance use during pregnancy poses serious risks to both mothers and unborn children. Data from Ontario, Canada, spanning from 2012 to 2022 has unveiled concerning patterns in the use of tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol during pregnancy. These substances can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and long-term developmental issues for children. Understanding these trends is crucial to protecting the health of mothers and babies alike.

Declining Tobacco Use – A Promising Trend with Exceptions

Over the decade, prenatal tobacco use in Ontario dropped by an encouraging 45.7%, declining from 11.3% in 2012 to 6.1% in 2022. While this trend is a positive development, young mothers remain a vulnerable group. Among pregnant women aged 12 to 19 years, 25.2% continued to smoke in 2022—a staggeringly high figure compared to other age groups. This persistence highlights the urgent need for renewed efforts to prevent smoking among younger women and first-time mothers.

Tobacco use during pregnancy is a leading cause of adverse health outcomes for both mother and baby, including preterm birth and developmental delays. As noted in PMC, “Substance use during pregnancy and motherhood is both a public health and criminal justice concern. Negative health consequences associated with substance use impact both the mother and the developing foetus”.

Surging Cannabis Use – A Troubling Pattern

One of the most alarming trends is the significant rise in prenatal cannabis use, which increased 2.5 times over the decade, jumping from 1.2% in 2012 to 4.3% in 2022. Younger women aged 12 to 19 years reported the highest use, with rates peaking at 24.1% in 2020-2021 before slightly declining to 22.9% in 2021-2022.

The increase in cannabis consumption mirrors global trends, likely influenced by its legalisation and growing societal acceptance. However, its use during pregnancy carries severe risks, including complications with brain development in the foetus. “Use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and illicit drugs is dangerous in pregnancy, increasing risks of stroke, miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and infant neurodevelopmental problems”. (Stony Brook University) These stark figures underline the importance of dispelling myths surrounding the safety of cannabis use, especially during pregnancy.

Stable Alcohol Consumption – But Still Concerning

Unlike tobacco and cannabis use, alcohol consumption during pregnancy remained relatively consistent over the 10-year period. The highest rates were reported among mothers aged 12 to 19 years. Even though the overall prevalence is lower than that of tobacco, no level of alcohol consumption is safe during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can result in foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which cause lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities.

The stability of these figures does not indicate a lack of harm but rather suggests that more awareness is needed about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy.

Protecting the Next Generation

The data from Ontario reveals a troubling reality about substance use during pregnancy. While there have been reductions in tobacco use, the rising prevalence of cannabis consumption and persistent issues with alcohol underscore a growing challenge. Substance use during pregnancy not only threatens the health of mothers and babies but also places a strain on healthcare resources and society at large.

Communities and policymakers must prioritise education and prevention measures to address these trends at their root. Spreading awareness about the dangers of substance use during pregnancy can safeguard the health of future generations and help build a more resilient society.

Source: JAMA Network