Kratom and Pregnancy
Kratom use in the U.S. is at an all-time high, as Americans turn to the plant for its purported pain-relieving, energizing, and mood-boosting properties. However, recent research suggests that Kratom is addictive, dependence-forming, and harmful, especially to long-term users. One such danger is the effect of Kratom on an unborn fetus. Let’s break down the relationship between Kratom and pregnancy.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a psychoactive plant native to Southeast Asia, traditionally taken by field workers and day laborers to increase productivity and boost energy. As it becomes more popular in the U.S., Americans turn to the plant for several reasons, including elevated energy levels and mood, but also to alleviate symptoms of opioid withdrawals and, in some cases, to experience a Kratom high.
These effects come from Kratom’s interaction with receptors in the brain. The plant’s two primary psychoactive alkaloid compounds – mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine – interact with opioid receptors in the brain, causing Kratom’s stimulant and opioid-like effects and addictive potential.
In most states, Kratom use, sale, possession, and purchase remains legal and unrestricted by the FDA; in 6 states and some jurisdictions, it is banned. Although the FDA considers Kratom a drug of concern, insufficient research regarding its effects on the human body mean that any kind of nationwide restriction or ban is still far off.
Dangers of Kratom Use
Kratom use is not safe, in any amount. It can cause a host of side effects and symptoms, including:
Short Term
Increased urination
Itching
Sweating
Nausea, vomiting
Drowsiness
Increased heart rate
Slowed breathing
Long Term
Addiction and dependence
Seizures
Hallucinations
Liver damage
Weight loss
Insomnia
Respiratory and circulatory damage
High blood pressure
Constipation
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
The most concerning effect of Kratom use during pregnancy is fetal addiction. When you ingest Kratom and the plant’s psychoactive alkaloid compounds enter your bloodstream, they also pass into your baby via the umbilical cord. This means that your child will be exposed to Kratom and its dangerous, addictive properties if you use while pregnant.
Research overwhelmingly suggests that because Kratom acts on opioid receptors in the brain, babies born to mothers who use Kratom regularly throughout pregnancy are likely to be born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is a group of conditions, or a syndrome, that occurs when a baby experiences withdrawals from certain drugs they’re exposed to in the womb. Severity of Nas depends on maternal Kratom use and fetal exposure.
Babies with NAS often need to spend extended time in the hospital in the NICU to safely withdraw from drug exposure and return to normal health. For babies exposed to opioids in pregnancy, the most common management plan involves tapering opiate medications like morphine and methadone, although medication may not be necessary for less severe cases.
NAS is a severe, postnatal complication of prenatal drug use, and often requires additional medical care. Generally, NAS causes the following symptoms in newborns:
Symptoms
Increased muscle tone
Tremors at rest
Exaggerated Moro reflex (also called the startle reflex)
Hyperirritability (increased crying, jitteriness, and poor sleep)
Seizures
Tachycardia and tachypnea (slow heart rate, breathing rate)
Poor circulation and hyperthermia
Poor feeding, vomiting, and diarrhea
Kratom and the Fetus
Taking Kratom while pregnant also puts the health of your baby at greatly increased risk. This is because Kratom causes abnormal conditions in your own body, which can, in turn, place greater stress on yourself and your baby. Conditions like increased heart rate and increased blood pressure can aggravate pre-existing conditions, like preeclampsia, that develop sometimes during pregnancy.
What should you do?
The most important thing you can do for the health of your baby is to consult your obstetrician or seek any kind of medical care. Don’t be afraid to be honest with your OB about your Kratom use – they are nonjudgmental professionals whose job is to make sure your baby is delivered happy and healthy. They can help you develop a course of action to taper or cease your Kratom use during pregnancy to avoid harming your unborn child.
In general, avoid quitting Kratom cold turkey, especially while pregnant. Sudden cessation of Kratom can place greater stress on your child and lead to additional complications, and can also lead to more severe complications in yourself, like seizures. Remember, help is always available.