drug testing newborns - Page 2

[kriket]

In general, it depends on the person, how much, how frequently and how long you've smoked. When I was in highschool, I needed to test clean for a job, (which they gave me 30 days notice? so they must not have cared that much) I tested weekly and on the 4th week I was clean. I was partaking a lot in HS, probably about an ounce a month (which is a ton for me, I'm sure more people smoke more)

They can take hair, and pretty much tell what you've done your entire life.

I find it amazing that with real child abuse and real reasons for CPS to be involved, a positive MJ test requires removal of the child. Wouldn't drug counseling and education be more helpful? AND allow the family to stay intact?

I'm in Ohio, which isn't "friendly", but we have a (huge) Meth problem, so maybe things are in a better perspective on what real drugs do to children, pregnant women and families. I was "dirty" most of my pregnancy, and no one said boo. I think I even admitted I smoked pot at my 1st prenatal. I thought there was a patient Dr. confidentiality. Or does MJ constitute child abuse that they have to report.
 

Originally Posted by coyotemist 

So I'm a bit ignorant about such matters, having only smoked a few times.  But I was under the impression that it cleared out in 30 days? 

[Blanca78]

Possession is decriminalized in Ohio, correct? So maybe less strident testing goes along with that?

[greenmulberry]

Goodness I am surprised to hear all of this.

At my first OB appointment I was given a stack of papers about pregnancy and the hospital policies. They had a sheet on why doing drugs/smoking was bad and in bold letters stated that positive drug screens on mothers are NOT reported to anyone, because the hospital wants to work with the mother as a partner to obtain help in the event of a + drug screen. Of course they didn't mention anything about a pos test on the baby.

[coyotemist]

This thread is so interesting to me.  I have a dear dear friend who has suffered with HG through every pregnancy.  She's aborted a couple times because she's so sick she can't get any nourishment in.  Every time she is isolated, doctor's just blow her off, insurance won't cover more than 6 or 8 zofran, she can't work so she can't afford to pay for more out of pocket, and zofran doesn't always work.  Scopalomine patches do absolutely nothing, she can't keep B6 pills down (although if it happens again I'll see if I can find her some B6 spray, that MIGHT help), she's allergic to phenergan (which can be give as a suppository if you aren't allergic and is really cheap).

There aren't a lot of options for someone with HG, and if MJ might help a bit...

Meth is a whole different monster, it's a murderer and a fink.  It ruins families and tears people apart.  But I've never seen MJ do more than make one want more MJ (which is a bad path if it goes the wrong way), and keep people calm.

I wish the best for this OP and her baby.  I don't normally support drugs at all, but if it helps her and there is little harm to the baby, it might just be worth it.

[Blanca78]

That's terrible about your friend. I know Mothering has a pretty extensive article on mj and morning sickness archived somewhere on this site that might be helpful if she gets pregnant again...it's pretty interesting reading. It outrages me that people are tested without their knowledge or even worse, that single parents and Medicare patients are singled out.
 

Originally Posted by coyotemist 

This thread is so interesting to me.  I have a dear dear friend who has suffered with HG through every pregnancy.  She's aborted a couple times because she's so sick she can't get any nourishment in.  Every time she is isolated, doctor's just blow her off, insurance won't cover more than 6 or 8 zofran, she can't work so she can't afford to pay for more out of pocket, and zofran doesn't always work.  Scopalomine patches do absolutely nothing, she can't keep B6 pills down (although if it happens again I'll see if I can find her some B6 spray, that MIGHT help), she's allergic to phenergan (which can be give as a suppository if you aren't allergic and is really cheap).

There aren't a lot of options for someone with HG, and if MJ might help a bit...

Meth is a whole different monster, it's a murderer and a fink.  It ruins families and tears people apart.  But I've never seen MJ do more than make one want more MJ (which is a bad path if it goes the wrong way), and keep people calm.

I wish the best for this OP and her baby.  I don't normally support drugs at all, but if it helps her and there is little harm to the baby, it might just be worth it.

[MamaChef]

Wanted to add one thing.  I was tested without my knowledge even though I specifically asked what tests I would be given because we knew our lab deductible was high and I had just had some panels run a couple weeks before the visit.  When I saw that I had to pay 130.00 for a drug screen out of pocket I was quite upset and actually confronted the doctor about it.  She said she told me they would be testing for "blood levels".  I told her that I specifically clarified that question by saying, you mean.. CBC?  What else.. she told me vitamin D specifically.. but not a word about the 5 panel tox screen they would be running.  Then, when confronted she said they run one every trimester even if you pass the first one.  Likely my lab deductible would have kicked in by then and I wouldnt have even noticed if i wouldnt have picked up on it on my Labs.  It was coded as an SAS - that was it.

Anyway, it's bs and I live in WA state where 70% of the people I know smoke pot.  If you get your healthcare through some type of big group like multicare you are probably being tested at some point in your pregnancy and it is hidden in the fine print.

[major_mama11]

In my state, newborns are drug tested if there are a certain number of "red flags"- including no or late prenatal care, pos test on mom, etc

Where I live, prescription drug abuse is HUGE. MJ, not so much. With MJ use alone, if babe tests pos for only that and nothing else, and mom is honest and admits to use, rather than trying to claim secondhand or something, it is not considered a huge deal. It does mean an automatic social service consult, but in this locale, there has to be a lot more going on than MJ use for kids to be removed, or even for CPS to become involved at all.

[Marissamom]

Originally Posted by MamaChef 

Wanted to add one thing.  I was tested without my knowledge even though I specifically asked what tests I would be given because we knew our lab deductible was high and I had just had some panels run a couple weeks before the visit.  When I saw that I had to pay 130.00 for a drug screen out of pocket I was quite upset and actually confronted the doctor about it.  She said she told me they would be testing for "blood levels".  I told her that I specifically clarified that question by saying, you mean.. CBC?  What else.. she told me vitamin D specifically.. but not a word about the 5 panel tox screen they would be running.  Then, when confronted she said they run one every trimester even if you pass the first one.  Likely my lab deductible would have kicked in by then and I wouldnt have even noticed if i wouldnt have picked up on it on my Labs.  It was coded as an SAS - that was it.

Anyway, it's bs and I live in WA state where 70% of the people I know smoke pot.  If you get your healthcare through some type of big group like multicare you are probably being tested at some point in your pregnancy and it is hidden in the fine print.

huh, I live in WA too. with DD I didn't see any drug test on my prenatal healthcare records (and I think that the OB I saw would have let me know if they were doing it, but you never know), and I'm a young, unmarried mom. The hospital could have drug tested me, I never saw those records. I know they did STD testing, but they were completely up front about it. policy varies so much between states, but also between counties and practices. 

[MamaChef]

Originally Posted by Marissamom 

Originally Posted by MamaChef 

Wanted to add one thing.  I was tested without my knowledge even though I specifically asked what tests I would be given because we knew our lab deductible was high and I had just had some panels run a couple weeks before the visit.  When I saw that I had to pay 130.00 for a drug screen out of pocket I was quite upset and actually confronted the doctor about it.  She said she told me they would be testing for "blood levels".  I told her that I specifically clarified that question by saying, you mean.. CBC?  What else.. she told me vitamin D specifically.. but not a word about the 5 panel tox screen they would be running.  Then, when confronted she said they run one every trimester even if you pass the first one.  Likely my lab deductible would have kicked in by then and I wouldnt have even noticed if i wouldnt have picked up on it on my Labs.  It was coded as an SAS - that was it.

Anyway, it's bs and I live in WA state where 70% of the people I know smoke pot.  If you get your healthcare through some type of big group like multicare you are probably being tested at some point in your pregnancy and it is hidden in the fine print.

huh, I live in WA too. with DD I didn't see any drug test on my prenatal healthcare records (and I think that the OB I saw would have let me know if they were doing it, but you never know), and I'm a young, unmarried mom. The hospital could have drug tested me, I never saw those records. I know they did STD testing, but they were completely up front about it. policy varies so much between states, but also between counties and practices. 

My first pregnancy I was an homebirth transfer and oddly, they didnt test me or if they did, I didnt get billed for it.  It was at the more "upscale" aka expensive hospital in the area.  Ive had friends that were transfered to the local general hospital and they did get tested.

Im sure it depends on who your doc is, what hospital, etc.  But I guess my point is that until this pregnancy I had no idea that they tested during prenatals.  I had kind of chalked up the reports of them testing after transfers as transfer predjudice. 

Like I said, I think it is absolute BS when it comes to marijuana.  I mean, seriously, I can be on a host of antipsychotics, benzos or other prescription medication and nobody bats an eye.  But if a woman uses an herb (and yes, I know it is illegal) then they get a cps visit?  When they ran my labs I was 6 weeks pregnant.  So if I would have tested positive they would have made sure to test my baby at birth.  MJ takes 4 weeks to clear your system so logically, I could have smoked way before I conceived so that result has no bearing on what is in my baby's system.. yet there would have been a red flag.  It pisses me off that women have to deal with this... everyone should be informed about it so that they can make informed decisions. 

Personally, Ill take morning sickness over a CPS visit.  YMMV.
 

[Lisoula]

I am in Ohio, and work in L&D/postpartum, and we basically can test anyone we feel is suspicious.....positive test during pregnancy, hx of abuse of any kind or at any time, "acting" unusual, or my favorite....coming in from "getting some fresh air" smelling like weed :)  If mom's urine comes back dirty, then we usually test baby's urine, and only meconium in severe cases....like mom's last 5 kids were removed by CPS or something like that.

[Evergreen]

I know someone who tested + for MJ at birth. The baby didn't, though, but I think that's because she couldn't get a sample from her. The only reason she was tested to begin with was because her stepmother called the hospital and told them she was using cocaine otherwise they wouldn't have bothered. CPS was called but did not think it was enough to start a case plan.  That's my antecdata.

[simplify4balance]

I am in NY and smoked with my first pregnancy... because I was addicted and for no other reason. I was concerned about it and talked to my OB. She kinda laughed it off and told me to just stop. Then after the birth they tested meand I was pos. for pot.They urine tested DD and SHE WAS NEGITIVE for pot!I am thinking this means it did not cross the placenta?? CPS was called in. They checked us out,visited our home and then closed the case. The case worked was pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. 

[tzs]

Like I said, I think it is absolute BS when it comes to marijuana.  I mean, seriously, I can be on a host of antipsychotics, benzos or other prescription medication and nobody bats an eye.  But if a woman uses an herb (and yes, I know it is illegal) then they get a cps visit? 

i'm with you that calling CPS over MJ seems a little crazy but as a pregnant mama who IS on benzos i hope you are not inferring that people that need similar meds are culpable in any way. 

but seriously, i can't wrap my mind around this...how would they even get their hands on a babe's urine or meconium without your knowledge? the hospital i delivered at had a pretty standard room-in policy and you pretty much go your whole stay without your kiddo ever leaving your side. for a kid to get nursary time you'd have to request it. we even had therapy for jaundice and they brought the bili lights into the room.
 

[Smokering]

Wow. This whole thread surprises me. I'm 99% sure DD and I weren't tested when she was born, either by blood, urine or meconium. I've been tested for things I find a bit offensive before - like STDs after having given my sexual history, which can only mean they think I was lying or DH had lied about his past or cheated on me. But marijuana? Nope, and it's not legal here either (although I think it's decriminalised? Maybe? Maybe not. I don't smoke it...).

ETA: No chance you could get permission for medical marijuana use - maybe even in liquid form or something?

[LionessMom]

they tested my babies by making me give them the first diaper. they would stalk my room until they heard me changing the baby then take it right away without even waiting for me to wrap it up or anything just "we need that". not even a thank you,

to be honest, i have one charge on my record for pot possession. it happened in 1999. havent smoked since 06. still tested the 07 baby but not the 09 baby. the only one i had after i married dh.

[MamaChef]

Originally Posted by tzs 

Like I said, I think it is absolute BS when it comes to marijuana.  I mean, seriously, I can be on a host of antipsychotics, benzos or other prescription medication and nobody bats an eye.  But if a woman uses an herb (and yes, I know it is illegal) then they get a cps visit? 

i'm with you that calling CPS over MJ seems a little crazy but as a pregnant mama who IS on benzos i hope you are not inferring that people that need similar meds are culpable in any way. 

but seriously, i can't wrap my mind around this...how would they even get their hands on a babe's urine or meconium without your knowledge? the hospital i delivered at had a pretty standard room-in policy and you pretty much go your whole stay without your kiddo ever leaving your side. for a kid to get nursary time you'd have to request it. we even had therapy for jaundice and they brought the bili lights into the room.
 

tzs,

Im not inferring anything other then we know that there are interactions or even risks with many drugs that women in pregnancy are on but as long as they are made by a pharma company and the "studies" say the benefits outweigh the risks, docs dont say anything.  But bring in study after study on pot in pregnancy to a CPS case worker and I bet they dont give two hoots.
 

[roslyn]

But bring in study after study on pot in pregnancy to a CPS case worker and I bet they dont give two hoots.

That's because your CPS worker can only operate within the confines of the law. If you have beef with the law regarding marijuana and pregnancy, you need to petition your legislature. There are numerous 420 groups out there engaged in this battle. All your CPS worker can do is comply with the statute as written and interpreted by the judges in her county. That's the logical course for anyone who thinks marijuana should be legalized or de-criminalized. Meanwhile, if you don't want CPS in your life, it is best to comply with the law as written until and unless you can get it changed. As for those who say that they plan to smoke for a certain number of weeks in their pregnancy and then stop, I have to wonder what they'll do if the baby comes early? What if, God forbid, something goes wrong with the baby? I've had cases where the baby died and the mom tested positive. More than one wound up facing a judge on charges. Granted, those moms were using other drugs in addition to marijuana, but we live in a society where there is a great deal of hysteria and outright misinformation about pregnancy and various drugs (and all manner of other behaviors.) Personally, I'd rather err on the side of caution, rather than risk losing custody of my baby to the system, and having a judge rule as to whether or not I have the right to get him back. 

[mamaki]

Wow, I had no idea they drug test in the US.  I live in Canada and I've never heard of routine drug testing for pregnant women. Maybe they do it here and I just don't know about it.  I'm pretty sure they don't though, I'm pregnant with #3 and I'm pretty sure I've never been tested (not that I take any illegal drugs). 

I would think they should tell you that they're going to test you - whatever happened to informed consent?!?!??!

[Evergreen]

Originally Posted by mamaki 

Wow, I had no idea they drug test in the US.  I live in Canada and I've never heard of routine drug testing for pregnant women. Maybe they do it here and I just don't know about it.  I'm pretty sure they don't though, I'm pregnant with #3 and I'm pretty sure I've never been tested (not that I take any illegal drugs). 

I would think they should tell you that they're going to test you - whatever happened to informed consent?!?!??!

As far as I know I haven't been tested in any of my pregnancies or births including the home-hospital birth transfer (got an itemized bill from the hospital so I saw everything on it) so I don't know if it's considered 'routine' but rather that some practices choose to.  But I don't know how much informed consent they give about anything. For instance, I'm looking over my lab bill from my 1st prenatal appointment and there are all sorts of tests on there that they did but didn't tell me they were doing. I would have consented to all of them for the record but I find it irritating that I wasn't specifically asked.

[MamaChef]

roslyn,

I completely agree with you re: why chance it.

I do want to point out that even in states that are friendly.. for instance here in WA.. and even if you have a medical marijuana card... CPS still can become involved if it is decided for whatever reason to test your baby at birth.  That is why all medical marijuana patients should always get and fill atleast one script for marinol pregnant or not.  It doesnt seem right that a woman can still be hassled by CPS even if she has a script.  If a woman's doctor prescribed something pharmaceutical the same doesnt happen.

Now, given, atleast here... most of the time if all you test positive for is MJ CPS is unlikely to open up a case.. but they can and in some areas they are way more likely to.  It's best when you have children or are pregnant to not chance it. 

OP, Im sorry, I know this is not easing your anxiety.. but it's real life and in real life there are sometime repercussions that go way beyond what is fair.