Key Takeaways
- Mitragynine, kratom’s main active compound, crosses the placenta and exposes the fetus, which can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) — a treatable withdrawal condition documented in published case reports.
- Stopping kratom suddenly during pregnancy is not the safer choice; abrupt withdrawal can cause maternal stress responses that affect the fetus, making supervised tapering the recommended approach.
- Telling your OB about kratom use allows for better-prepared care for your baby, though reporting requirements vary by state and should be discussed directly with your provider.
- Pregnancy-informed treatment at Royal Life Centers Las Vegas coordinates with your OB, paces tapering safely, and monitors both maternal and fetal health throughout the process.
Kratom Use During Pregnancy: What to Know
Question:
Does kratom cause withdrawal in newborns during pregnancy?
Answer:
Kratom use during pregnancy raises real, documented risks for the baby. Mitragynine, the plant’s main active compound, crosses the placenta, exposing the fetus throughout pregnancy. This can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) — a withdrawal condition seen in kratom-exposed newborns and confirmed in published case reports. While NAS is treatable with supportive hospital care, prevention starts with informed decisions during pregnancy. Quitting kratom abruptly isn’t the safer option; sudden withdrawal can stress both mother and baby, so medically supervised tapering is recommended instead. Disclosing kratom use to your OB helps your care team prepare for your baby’s needs, and while reporting requirements vary by state, a provider can clarify what applies to your situation. Breastfeeding also carries transfer risks worth discussing with a pediatrician. Royal Life Centers Las Vegas offers pregnancy-informed, confidential support for anyone navigating kratom use during pregnancy.
Read this first
You are not in trouble for looking this up. Searching for answers about kratom and pregnancy is a responsible thing to do, not a mistake to hide from.
Many people using kratom during pregnancy started before they knew they were pregnant, or believed it was a safer, plant-based option compared to prescription opioids. Neither of those things makes you a bad parent. It makes you someone trying to make sense of confusing, incomplete information.
One thing is important to say clearly: stopping kratom suddenly on your own is not the safest option. Quitting cold turkey can put stress on your body and on your baby. The rest of this page explains why, and what a safer path looks like.
What crosses the placenta?
Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Its main active compound, mitragynine, acts on opioid receptors in the brain, similar to how prescription opioids work.
Mitragynine is a small molecule, and small molecules generally cross the placenta. This means that when a pregnant person uses kratom, the baby is exposed to the substance too. The baby’s developing body absorbs and processes mitragynine right alongside the mother’s.
Here is the plain-language version: what you take, your baby is exposed to as well. This is true of kratom just as it’s true of opioids, alcohol, and many other substances. The baby’s system adjusts to the regular presence of mitragynine during pregnancy — and that adjustment is what leads to withdrawal after birth.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome
What NAS is
Neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, happens when a baby who was regularly exposed to certain substances in the womb goes through withdrawal after birth. The baby’s body got used to the substance being present. Once the umbilical cord is cut, that supply stops, and the baby’s nervous system reacts.
NAS is well documented with opioids, and a small but growing number of case reports describe it happening with kratom exposure too.
How it presents in kratom-exposed newborns
Newborns with NAS related to kratom exposure have been reported to show:
- High-pitched crying
- Difficulty feeding
- Tremors or jitteriness
- Trouble sleeping
- Sneezing and yawning more than usual
- Loose stools
These symptoms typically appear within the first few days of life and are managed closely by the hospital’s neonatal team.
Documented case reports
Clinical literature on kratom and NAS is still limited, but it exists. A 2018 case report published in Canadian Family Physician documented a newborn who developed withdrawal symptoms after in-utero kratom exposure, requiring treatment before discharge (Mackay & Abrahams, 2018). The FDA has also acknowledged kratom’s opioid-like effects and its potential to cause dependence and withdrawal, including in newborns exposed during pregnancy (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018).
How it is treated
NAS is treatable. Hospitals use supportive care first — a calm, low-stimulation environment, swaddling, and frequent small feedings. When symptoms are more pronounced, doctors may use medication to ease the baby’s withdrawal safely while their body adjusts. Neonatal teams have experience managing withdrawal syndromes, and most babies recover well with appropriate care.
Other pregnancy considerations
Research on kratom during pregnancy is still developing, and it’s important to be honest about what is known and what isn’t.
What is documented:
- Mitragynine crosses the placenta and exposes the fetus.
- Case reports confirm that neonatal withdrawal can occur after kratom exposure.
- Kratom products are not regulated for purity or dosage, meaning contamination and inconsistent potency are real risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018).
What is genuinely unknown:
- Long-term effects of prenatal kratom exposure on child development have not been well studied.
- There’s no established “safe” dose of kratom during pregnancy.
- How kratom interacts with other substances a person may be using is not fully mapped out.
Because so much is still unknown, the safest approach is to treat kratom use during pregnancy the way you would treat opioid use during pregnancy: as something that needs medical guidance, not guesswork.
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Why abrupt cessation is not the answer
It may seem like quitting kratom immediately would protect your baby. In reality, sudden withdrawal can do the opposite.
Maternal withdrawal and fetal stress
When a pregnant person goes through withdrawal, their body experiences a stress response — elevated heart rate, blood pressure changes, and hormonal shifts. The fetus experiences this stress too. Abrupt withdrawal has been associated with fetal distress and, in some cases, complications like preterm labor.
Why supervised reduction or medically managed care is the recommended route
A gradual, medically managed reduction avoids putting your body and your baby through that shock. A provider can:
- Monitor both you and the baby throughout the process
- Adjust the pace of tapering based on how you respond
- Watch for warning signs and intervene early
- Offer medication support if needed
This is the same principle used for opioid use disorder during pregnancy, where supervised care consistently produces better outcomes than unsupervised withdrawal.
Telling your OB
Why disclosure changes outcomes for the baby
Telling your OB about kratom use is one of the most protective things you can do for your baby. It allows your care team to monitor the pregnancy appropriately and prepare the neonatal team for potential withdrawal after birth, so your baby gets faster, better-informed care from day one.
What providers are and are not required to report
Reporting requirements around substance use in pregnancy vary by state and by individual circumstances, and they are not the same everywhere. Rather than guessing what applies to your situation, it’s best to ask your provider directly what their reporting obligations are before you disclose. A good provider will answer this honestly and explain your specific situation.
How to open the conversation
You don’t need a script. Something as simple as, “I’ve been using kratom during my pregnancy and I want to talk about what that means for me and my baby,” gives your OB what they need to help you.
Breastfeeding
Research on kratom and breastfeeding is limited, but what is known raises real concern. Because mitragynine is a small, fat-soluble molecule, it is expected to pass into breast milk, similar to how other opioid-like substances transfer during lactation.
Given the lack of safety data and the known effects of kratom on infants, it’s important to talk with your pediatrician or OB before breastfeeding while using kratom. They can help you weigh your options and find a plan that supports your baby’s health.
Getting supervised help
Pregnancy-informed treatment looks different from standard treatment because it accounts for two patients at once: you and your baby. At Royal Life Centers Las Vegas, that means care that’s coordinated with your OB, paced appropriately for pregnancy, and focused on stability rather than rushing the process.
Pregnancy-informed care typically includes:
- Medical evaluation of both maternal and fetal health
- A tapering plan built around what’s safest for this stage of pregnancy
- Close monitoring throughout the process
- Coordination with your obstetric provider
- Support for co-occurring stress, anxiety, or trauma
If medication is part of your care plan, know that using buprenorphine specifically for kratom dependence is considered off-protocol and requires careful clinical judgment from your provider, made on a case-by-case basis.
You can learn more about our Kratom Detox Center in Las Vegas to see what supervised care involves. And if you’re a partner or family member trying to understand how to support someone through this, our guide on how to help someone quit kratom can help you know what to expect.
You can also call (866) 682-8449 to talk confidentially about pregnancy-safe options. This call does not commit you to anything — it’s a conversation, not a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does kratom cause birth defects?
There isn’t enough research yet to confirm or rule out birth defects from kratom use during pregnancy. This is one of the genuine unknowns, which is why medical guidance matters.
Will my baby definitely go through withdrawal if I used kratom during pregnancy?
Not every baby exposed to kratom develops NAS, but it is a documented possibility. Your care team can monitor your baby closely after birth regardless.
Is it safe to just stop taking kratom right now?
Stopping suddenly on your own isn’t the safest option, since it can cause maternal withdrawal and fetal stress. A supervised, gradual reduction is generally recommended instead.
Will I get in trouble if I tell my OB about kratom use?
Reporting requirements vary by state and situation, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Ask your provider directly what applies to you before you disclose, so you know what to expect.
Can I breastfeed if I’ve used kratom?
Mitragynine is expected to pass into breast milk, but research here is limited. Talk with your pediatrician or OB to make an informed decision for your situation.
What does pregnancy-informed kratom treatment involve?
It typically includes coordinated care between addiction specialists and your OB, a carefully paced tapering plan, and ongoing monitoring of both maternal and fetal health throughout treatment.
You deserve clear answers, not judgment
Finding out that kratom crosses the placenta is a lot to process. So is learning about neonatal abstinence syndrome. But knowing this now, before delivery, puts you and your baby in a much stronger position than not knowing at all.
The next right step isn’t to panic or to quit cold turkey tonight. It’s to talk to someone who can help you build a plan that protects both of you. Call (866) 682-8449 to speak confidentially with Royal Life Centers Las Vegas about pregnancy-safe options, or reach out to your OB today to start that conversation.
References:
Wright, M. E., Ginsberg, C., Parkison, A. M., Dubose, M., Sherbondy, M., & Shores, E. (2021, June). Outcomes of mothers and newborns to prenatal exposure to kratom: A systematic review. Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8225511/
Kratom what is Kratom? (n.d.-g). https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.-a). Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171
