U/C and CPS

[Tnmommi]

I was googling CPS and U/C and was annoyed CPS will get involved if the mother is reported for UCing.
Has anyone here had any run ins with CPS because of their choice to U/C or know of someone who did...I'd like to hear the story,and the outcome.
Now I see why so many women lie about U/Cing if they go to the hospital after birth..which is what I'm doing and now reading some of the stories I know I will def say it was an oops the baby came to fast kinda thing lol

[FernG]

A family in IL lost there daughter to CPS because of a UC. There first child died after a c-section birth due to meconium aspiration. They UCed their second daughter. They thought something was wrong after the birth and took their DD to the hospital. She had a slight shoulder injury. The hospital called CPS, and the newborn was placed in foster care. Now, the baby is about 3 months old and is in foster care (maybe placed with the grandparents). The parents can visit 8 hours per day.

[Tnmommi]

Originally Posted by FernG

A family in IL lost there daughter to CPS because of a UC. There first child died after a c-section birth due to meconium aspiration. They UCed their second daughter. They thought something was wrong after the birth and took their DD to the hospital. She had a slight shoulder injury. The hospital called CPS, and the newborn was placed in foster care. Now, the baby is about 30 months old and is in foster care (maybe placed with the grandparents). The parents can visit 8 hours per day.

That is so sad...I could see CPS taking the baby if they DIDNT seek medical attention..but in this case they did and were punished for it.

[Mamatoabunch]

I have had 7 UC's and no issues w/ CPS, but it sure scares me.

[Tnmommi]

Originally Posted by Mamatoabunch

I have had 7 UC's and no issues w/ CPS, but it sure scares me.

Do you go to the hospital afterwards...I believe most cases reported are those in which the mom goes to the hospital afterwards...its a shame.
I can't say I wouldnt slam my door in their face out of anger lol I actually looked at this website just in case...http://www.fightcps.com

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by Tnmommi

Do you go to the hospital afterwards...I believe most cases reported are those in which the mom goes to the hospital afterwards...its a shame.
I can't say I wouldnt slam my door in their face out of anger lol I actually looked at this website just in case...http://www.fightcps.com

No I have not.

[StrongBeliever]

This post comes with a built in disclaimer, as it is pretty controversial. If you have any questions about what I'm about to say, please do the digging on your own. I am no expert, and I really have no desire to get in a huge argument! Just putting it out there, for those that may be interested...

I *think* that is your child DOESN'T have a birth certificate, then CPS CAN'T take them. A birth certificate, as I understand it, is basically registering your child as a ward of the state, which would authorize the state to act in that child's behalf. If you UC, then you are in a unique place to avoid getting a birth certificate for your child. It IS NOT illegal, and even though it can be a HUGE HASSLE, a birth certificate or equivalent can be obtained at any point in a person's lifetime.

There... Call me crazy if you will. I'll be quietly .

[tessie]

Originally Posted by StrongBeliever

I *think* that is your child DOESN'T have a birth certificate, then CPS CAN'T take them. A birth certificate, as I understand it, is basically registering your child as a ward of the state, which would authorize the state to act in that child's behalf.

This is not true.

It is, however, true that CPS is obligated to investigate reports - even if they are made maliciously. And it's appropriate that they should investigate all reports, even if the complaint is groundless.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by FernG

A family in IL lost there daughter to CPS because of a UC. There first child died after a c-section birth due to meconium aspiration. They UCed their second daughter. They thought something was wrong after the birth and took their DD to the hospital. She had a slight shoulder injury. The hospital called CPS, and the newborn was placed in foster care. Now, the baby is about 3 months old and is in foster care (maybe placed with the grandparents). The parents can visit 8 hours per day.

Actually, I think that particular family had a midwife present? We're talking about Ruth Light, yes?

[Tumble Bumbles]

It's so sad but this is a primary fear of ours relating to a UC

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by Tumble Bumbles

It's so sad but this is a primary fear of ours relating to a UC

[kittywitty]

It is ridiculous and telling that this is such a worry for ucers and homebirthers. This was my #1 fear with my uc and latest hb. Especially in this state (il). Luckily they never called when I transferred after my uc. They drug tested the crap out of us but never called cps. Thank god. I'm still worried about what they'll say at the doctor, though.

[mitintraining]

This has been a huge concern of mine also. I have a large family, we home school and I have had had 2 UC births, by default really-1 fast labor and 1 attended by a traditional midwife so we just acted like it was a UC. We are planning a UC with this bundle-due yesterday, and I am worried about it mainly for that reason. While I understand the reason they investigate claims I do not think it should be up to one person to decide how I raise my kids. If the cps worker was an only child from an upper class family my family would look crazy. I am a clean freak but our 'things' are minimal and old. We live in our house all day so it looks like it, I know that we are not 'normal' by society norms at least and it concerns me that someone can decide what is best for my children besides my hubby and I. We recently moved from IL and I can say I am happy that we did especially because I heard about it happening to many of my hschooling friends. Arg, if only it was a perfect world.

[Kidzaplenty]

I have had seven U/C's and one MWHB.  CPS was called with my first.  But, since I had already taken Baby to pedi for check up (which I do usually that day or next), it was closed immediately.  Never had them called again for that.  I also don't worry about it at all.

[gossamerwindweb]

CPS can take a child whether they have a birth certificate or not.  However, I am now a foster mother, and I am learning that really, CPS is typically not malicious. Social workers really do want the best for the children.  They work really hard to reunify them with their biological parents as well, even people who have had 7 children taken away... they still make sure they have supervised visitation, etc. So really, my viewpoint on CPS has changed a lot now that I am working with them. I am surprised sometimes at how hard they DO work to reunify, when personally, I think 'that drug using parent is a piece of crap, WHY would we try to get their kids back with them?'  Anyhow, I know this won't make much difference with your fears.  I had the same fears for years, and had a social worker friend tell me 'they really aren't trying to tear apart families', but it didn't matter.  I do know that there are some bad social workers, just like there are some bad cops, some bad doctors, etc.

FYI, what we did to avoid issues with this is... after we started doing our own prenatal care, we wrote it all down just like the midwife's office had. We took him to the doctor less than a week after his birth for a checkup.  We applied for the birth certificate with all of our prenatal care information and doctor's record of seeing him.  If we had transferred, we would have been honest, but showed them all of our prenatal care that we had done, etc.  Hopefully, even if CPS had investigated, they wouldn't have actually opened a case.

[mitintraining]

Originally Posted by gossamerwindweb 

CPS can take a child whether they have a birth certificate or not.  However, I am now a foster mother, and I am learning that really, CPS is typically not malicious. Social workers really do want the best for the children.  They work really hard to reunify them with their biological parents as well, even people who have had 7 children taken away... they still make sure they have supervised visitation, etc. So really, my viewpoint on CPS has changed a lot now that I am working with them. I am surprised sometimes at how hard they DO work to reunify, when personally, I think 'that drug using parent is a piece of crap, WHY would we try to get their kids back with them?'  Anyhow, I know this won't make much difference with your fears.  I had the same fears for years, and had a social worker friend tell me 'they really aren't trying to tear apart families', but it didn't matter.  I do know that there are some bad social workers, just like there are some bad cops, some bad doctors, etc.

FYI, what we did to avoid issues with this is... after we started doing our own prenatal care, we wrote it all down just like the midwife's office had. We took him to the doctor less than a week after his birth for a checkup.  We applied for the birth certificate with all of our prenatal care information and doctor's record of seeing him.  If we had transferred, we would have been honest, but showed them all of our prenatal care that we had done, etc.  Hopefully, even if CPS had investigated, they wouldn't have actually opened a case.

It has been my experience that once CPS investigates a claim, whether actual of fictitious the case is considered opened until proven it should be closed.  That is the thing I do not like, that you are guilty until proven innocent.  I also do not like the fact that the social worker gets to decide what is best for my children.  I know of one instance in which the cps worker tried to tell a mother that if she didn't have internet or a game counsel for her kids that was abuse!  I was outraged, those are personal opinions and I know many families who do not have TV's as a ethical decision.  I totally understand that most of the time the ones who need services or help fall through the cracks and that we really need people to investigate things since our society is so screwed up, it just concerns me that other people can make decisions for my family when the worst I am doing is going against mainstream and researching my decisions a heck of a lot more than a parent who just does what everyone else does.  I will now step down off my soap box! hehe.  I think it is just scary because I have seen CPS use home schooling, large family size, and birthing choices as a litmus test if you are a good parent.  I can imagine that being a foster mom you see a side of CPS none of us have, so I appreciate your opinion. 
 

[kittywitty]

I agree.  The guilty until proven innocent part distrubs me, as well as their personal decision as to the future of your family.  We were investigated for a bogus claim and ended up going through weeks of hell after those charges were obviously dropped because they were concerned about us being homeschoolers and co-sleeping with a 1 yo because a baby had died from SIDS in our town within the past year.  I mean, seriously.  It was utterly ridiculous and right before Christmas.  I still feel traumatized and invaded because of it.  I never had a negative feeling towards CPS until that.  

[gossamerwindweb]

And I have social workers in my house all the time. Our 15 month old sleeps with us, and that is common knowledge. I cloth diaper, we had a UC, we aren't religious and don't go to church, etc. They all tell me what great parents we are.  I think they get more concerned when people seem 'off' on the surface. We seem like normal folks, and then they find out afterward that we aren't mainstream.  I do understand the fear. I have been there, and just wanted to give a different viewpoint.

[gossamerwindweb]

OH! And I also wanted to say that I had an internet friend have her children taken away supposedly for bogus claims... that she had a UC. The truth was (and I didn't find out until much later) that her house was FILTHY.  After she showed some pics of her house when it was 'clean' enough for them to give the kids back, I was still appalled by the grossness. 

My friend who is an attorney has seen some of these homes where children are taken out of and the parents swear it is for no good reason. When in reality there is animal feces all over, rotten food, filthy diapers only being changed once a day, horrid diaper rashes that aren't treated, etc. They really normally don't go after folks just to go after them.  I didn't believe it until just this last year, but from what I see, that is the truth.

[mitintraining]

I agree that some claims are not bogus, that people are truly living in unclean housing, but is I think it comes down to what is considered filthy and clean is an opinion.  I am a huge neat freak who grew up in a cluttered unclean house.  I have a place for everything and everything in its place attitude but as my family has grown I have given in on a lot of areas.  So if I were to be investigated during the day, my daughters booster may have crusted food on it- we wash it after dinner every night, there may be food on the rug under the table, and dirty dishes in the sink.  A basket of clean unfolded laundry may be sitting on the counter of the kitchen next to a jar of fermenting kefir.  The counter may be dusted in flour because I am making bread and there may be a mountain of coloring books and colors on the dining room table and my daughters cache of my lil ponies on the living room floor at any given time.  Is this filthy or just the fact that we live in the house and therefor there are projects going on.  At night and in the morning the house looks normal, because I have a method for maintaining chaos, but it is very opinion oriented!SUBMIT