Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance during pregnancy. Many pregnant people are unsure of the risks or where to turn for support. Researchers are exploring practical, accessible ways to help expectant mothers reduce or stop use. One of the most promising approaches may be as straightforward as putting on a pair of trainers.
A recent study by Cynthia L. Battle and colleagues examined a structured walking programme for pregnant individuals. The goal was to see whether it could help them cut back on cannabis use during pregnancy whilst also supporting their mental wellbeing. The findings are encouraging.
Walking to Reduce Prenatal Cannabis Use: What the Study Found
Researchers recruited 16 pregnant adults between 12 and 25 weeks gestation. They came from OB-GYN clinics in Rhode Island and through online channels. All participants used cannabis at least weekly before pregnancy. They also wanted to reduce or stop use and reported symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Over ten weeks, participants took part in a structured walking programme. Clinicians led six sessions in total, each building on daily step goals from the previous week. Participants also wore Fitbit devices to track their steps throughout.
The numbers tell a clear story. At the start, 62.5% of participants were still using cannabis. By 36 weeks gestation, that figure fell to just 16.6%. Symptoms of depression and anxiety also dropped over the course of the programme and stayed lower at the one month postpartum mark. Attendance was strong too. 88% of participants completed the programme, attending an average of 5.8 out of 6 sessions.
Why Physical Activity Matters for Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
Regular, moderate physical activity is already part of the guidance for a healthy pregnancy. Exercise also has well-established benefits for mood and stress. Both of these matter for pregnant people who may be using cannabis to cope with anxiety or low mood.
Understanding why someone uses cannabis during pregnancy is just as important as encouraging them to stop. For some people, it manages symptoms that feel otherwise unmanageable. A walking programme offers an alternative outlet for stress and anxiety. It addresses the behaviour alongside the underlying need.
Healthcare providers play a key role here. When they understand why a patient may be using cannabis, they can help that person find constructive ways to cope. Physical activity is one such option, and this research shows pregnant people are genuinely willing to engage with it.
Prenatal Cannabis Use Does Not Always Stop After Birth
One finding from this study stands out. Whilst cannabis use during pregnancy dropped significantly, it rose again to 50% at one month postpartum. That is a striking reversal, and it points to something important: support cannot simply end at birth.
The postnatal period brings its own pressures. Without continued guidance, the progress made during pregnancy is hard to maintain. Longer term conversations between providers and patients are essential. Continued awareness of the risks matters too, both for the parent and for the child.
What This Research Means Going Forward
This was a small, preliminary study without a control group. It cannot definitively prove the walking programme caused the reduction in prenatal cannabis use. Participants already wanted to change, which may also have shaped the results. Larger, more rigorous trials are the next step.
Even so, the study makes a useful case. A walking programme costs little, requires no specialist equipment, and carries no known risks during a healthy pregnancy. It also improved mood and reduced anxiety alongside cannabis use. That combination is worth taking seriously.
The conversation around cannabis use during pregnancy needs to be honest and grounded in real support. Research like this moves that conversation forward in a practical direction.
(Source: WRD News)