Marijuana use in CA when pregnant

[tinkie]

Hello. I have a question for the community. I have smoked marijuana since I was 15. I have Neurofibromatosis and have constant pain in my nerves and severe back pain. Pills either throw me into hives or aniflixas or I pass out and sleep for hours and hours.

I found out I am pregnant, and saw my doctor. Now this OBGYN I was honest with she asked after my first blood test if I smoke marijuana. I said yes, but I quit when I found out I was pregnant. This is true mind you. She said she has to file a report with CPS here in CA and that I will be tested at each appointment, and again at birth of my child. The child will be tested and if positive the child will be taken away.

Since I have stopped smoking I have severe pain, can barley use my hands due to Glomus Tumors on the nerves of every finger. It kills me to sit here and type this even.

My question is in CA can they really take my child away because of a positive MJ test? I mean we are good parents, I have another child who is so well behaved and we provide a wonderful loving home. I am never "stoned" around my kid to the point I can not care for him. I take a few hits in the AM to help with pain and at night to help with pain.

What is going to happen? Anyone else ever have this happen? I never drink, never pop pills, and never use any other drug other than MJ. Is my kids really going to be taken away? Are they that serious and my Dr is so demeaning to me and treats me like a herion addict.

[sydlou]

Hmmm, from what I've found it doesn't look like they can remove for a positive test, but if a CPS case is opened they can investigate.

If you're in CA and using MJ do you have a card?

If you have a card it would look a LOT better, if you don't it will turn up as illegal substance use if they file any charges. Even if you have a card though, I'm not sure how it would look if you smoked while pregnant. There is much conflicting studies on MJ in pregnancy from no adverse reactions to low birth weight and fetal abnormalities, so it might depend on the information the judge went with if it were to get that far.

I'm sorry for the pain you're in momma, but I would try to find an alternative pain reliever while you're pregnant.

[tinkie]

I did have my card but it expired and my doc will not renew it because I am pregnant and he can lose his license by giving me a card if he has knowledge of my pregnancy. There is really no altertanitive pain releiver for nerve and spinal pain. If I take pain pills that is bad for baby, and for me since I break out in hives or have to use an epi pen to stop an allergic reaction, or some pills make me just sleep all day. I've smoked daily for 19 years and they expect me to quit cold turkey with no kind of help. Well hell, I have stoped smoking ciggs and pot, and lets just say I am in so much pain I really can't take it anymore. No one seems to understand what pain Neurofibromatosis brings upon your body. I am in pain 24/7 and everyone looks at me like a drug addict when in fact weed does not even get me high and giggly and all that good stuff. I've been smoking so long all it does is help take the pain down to a tolerable level.

[nkintzel]

I am not in California, but I do have a SMALL bit of experience with this. My SIL had a CPS case opened on her when my niece was born with THC in her system. It was quickly closed after she and my brother passed some drug tests.

Anyway...you are not going to find what you need here. It sounds to me like you need to consult an attorney.

[newsolarmomma2]

I'm sorry to tell you that what CPS is suppose to be able to do, and what they actually do are two very different things. All it takes is one Social worker that doesn't like what you are doing to cause you hassle. no matter what you do, find a lawyer that knows the system. You don't have to hire them, but have their info at all times.

I do have experience with this in San Diego, different drug (opiates) prescribed and under tight regulations, but slightly different situation. In order to take the med I am on while pregnant (if you quit, it's likely you will miscarry, pleasant!) you have to be drug tested every week, you only get one week of meds at a time (I got a months worth usually), you have to see their doc once a month and your counselor a few extra times. As long as you follow the rules, you are suppose to be safe.Suppose to be- it isn't illegal at all, and CPS isn't suppose to get involved.

I was lucky, had my baby in August, no problems. But two girls from my clinic had their babies (late July and October) and they were taken and they still haven't gotten them back. They followed the rules too, but some LSW had a bug up their ass. Yeah, this is a prescribed drug! We ALL followed the strict rules and no one used drugs while pregnant, or even for 5-10 years prior. but two babies were removed from their moms. Everyone at the clinic is freaked out, as this med is the standard for any opiate user while pregnant (legal and not).

I DO have practical advice for you. If you quit smoking and put up with being miserable, and follow the rules you should be OK. I would still get a doc to write that you were prescribed but he couldn't renew because of the pregnancy. it's important. Switching to Opiates will NOT help you. They are not too bad for the baby, I am on a super duper high dose and my baby is fine, but it can make your baby dependent and need detoxed, which is miserable and expensive (6 weeks in NICU was 145k!!!). But not dangerous. I say it won't help because you would get in just as much BS with CPS with prescribed opiates as pot. (this is what Im on)

If you don't want to suffer, and you shouldn't have too, get a new OB that understands what's going on and is sympathetic, and find a good pain doc to prescribe your meds. The hospital you pick is of UTMOST importance! I chose a good one, in a nice neighborhood, the other two girls went to not so nice neighborhood hospitals where they had more attitude about these things. they are also non white and poor, which didn't help them. I'm white, 34 and have a great career and money. it matters, even though it shouldn't. The hospital, if its in a big enough city, will have it's own social worker. she can call CPS or NOT.

In San Diego, Sharp Mary Birch is your best bet, I had a good experiene there. If you PM me I will send you the name of the LSW there, she is GREAT and very reasonable. Talk to her, or the LSW at the hospital you chose, BEFORE you go into labor, so there will be no surprises. The one at Mary Birch won't get you in trouble if you are honest, she's a great lady. I can give you the name of my OB who was very good about the whole medication situation, not judgemental and NO drug testing.

Both my OB and everyone at The hospital was amazing, they ask permission for every thing, explain and get consent for every last detail, and NO ONE treated me poorly, or differently because of my past or current medication or diagnosis. This is HUGE, trust me. Also, the OB has a shared practice with a great midwife, a CNM. you can choose her or him for prenatal, and see them every time.

You should be FINE, but I wanted to share the info I have with you and anyone else in this situation. if anyone want info PM me or post.

I would also appreciate not being judged for my choices. I only shared this story to help, not to be critisized. THANKS

[tinkie]

Thank you your advice is great. I live in Corona, CA... yeah good old Riverside County where MJ is a big deal. The CPS report is already drawn up, and if I test positive on Jan 18th they report me to CPS. I've not used since Thanksgiving, but have used for 19 years for the nerve pain I am in. I am in such daily horrid pain it is unberable. Really, I want to chop off my fingers, I have even thought about going to the hospital and asking for them to do this. I am as well 34 yrs old, a great mom, a smart 4 yr old boy, and well behaved too. Very loving family, but none of that matters. I have CA AIM insurance because as my husband is a Vet Tech, they get no insurance. The only doc close to me is here in Corona, the others are like in Long Beach...a hell of a drive. The hospital I am required to deliver at is Corona Regional Hospital and already they treat me like a druggie. I mean women use meth and coke but never get their kids taken away becasue it clears your system so fast, but MJ stays for freaking ever. I know I will test dirty on the 18th even though I have not used since Thanksgiving, just becasue it stays in my system for so long. I even talked to the nurse and told her that I know it will still be there, and she said even if there is less in my system I am still commiting a felony. I am commiting Felony Child Endangerment and the reoport will be filed. They will more than likely take my son and then the baby as soon as it is born. I freak out daily and just don't know what else to do. If I hold off on my appointment it looks suspicious. If I am even able to change doctors they will wonder why I never got prenatal till now, or if I tell them I did, they will want the records from this doc and of course I will deal with the same thing. It is a neverending circle of people thinking I am a druggie, when they have no idea what Neurofibromatosis can do to a person, how it riddles their nerves and organs, bones with tumors and can eventually kill you. They have no idea of what severe nerve pain is. I wish I could shove needles under their nails and pound them in with a hammer to give them a slight taste of the pain I am in so maybe they would understand how I feel and why I smoke.

Again thanks for the advice. I will keep you posted after my appointment and know what else is going to happen.

[CalmCenter]

Wow. I feel really bad for you. That is a very unfortunate situation. I live in Nor Cal and had my baby with a midwife. Both of our local midwives don't recommend smoking during pregnancy, but would NEVER report a woman for doing so. That is so wrong!!!! There is no solid scientific evidence that smoking MJ causes birth defects. My only advice would be to look deep down, and see if you felt able to do an unassisted birth or to find a homebirth midwife who would support you in a homebirth, who would take a payment plan, and would not report you or test you for smoking. 

I don't know your area, but I think there are a lot of homebirth midwives all over CA and many will travel up to 2 hours for a birth. 

My personal feeling is that it would be good not to smoke during critical development times, like the first 6 wks, and then to smoke as minimally as you could to still have your medicinal needs met. I know a lot of moms who have smoked during preg and while nursing. I don't think it is wise to smoke indiscriminately during preg or nursing, but there is no real evidence that it is harmful. You have to use your own judgement here. 

If cps took kids away because their moms smoked during pregnancy or while nursing a ton of kids would be taken away in northern ca. That is not practical. I honestly didn't even know it was an issue. Please find out about homebirth. I know a lot of moms who did it, who never thought they could. 

[jeminijad]

Wow.

I'm not a big HB advocate, but in your shoes, I would be looking for a HB midwife who would take a payment plan.

So sorry you are dealing with this. If you stay w/this doctor, get that lawyer ASAP.

[tytysmama]

Honey, you need to find another doctor who is legitimate!! It is NOT illegal to use while pregnant thats a fabrication. They have added it to the list.... but only to help with morning sickness. Sweetie I applaud you many many times for not using those chemicals and opiates to help with your pain cause they are proven bad for your fetus and bad for your milk if you choose to breatsfeed. Check out the study done on Jamaican pregnant mothers.... All the "Proof" they have is b.s. Just like the research they did with monkeys. They make them inhale cannabis for 15 mins STRAIGHT with no oxygen then it caused brain cells to die so that is where u get marajuana kills brain cells.... well if we smoke it like that then yea!!! stupidness..... The research has shown that it absolutly doesn't affect birthweight.

You are not a druggie do not listen to them and dont let them make you feel like that. I personally watched a wonderful friend ween herself off opiates and it has taken 1 year and the last med she has to get off of will kill her if she doesnt do it very very slowly...... not what u need as a mother. She has fibromyalga. YOU HAVE RIGHTS!! There are a lot of mmj docs that are totally legit and will give u your rec. You need it now more than ever. I am so sorry u have to go thru this. Saddens me what the world is today.... It IS YOUR body!

My brother is the same way. He has chrons disease and the pain is so excruciating that he doesnt get high or giggly or any of the fun stuff anymore. It is all just to get your pain at a controlable level.

I personally know many women who have smoked while pregnant and 7 out of 10 have been over 7 lbs.... 4 over 8lbs... 2 over 9lbs.... when have u seen someone smoke and not eat??? Ridiculos to say it causes low birthwieght. Also never seen one abnormailty or disorder.... actually all have been very healthy!

Just wanted to add that and good luck honey!!

[dinahx]

IMHO Get a vaporizer, a new doctor/mw & a lawyer! It is pretty indefensible to 'smoke' anything while pregnant (altho CPS has no problem with additive laden tobacco smoking!), but the research doesn't conclusively show ANY definite (as in not vauge & theoretical) adverse effects from THC alone in pregnancy. (Smoking itself can lead to a thin amniotic sack/increased risk of abruption) I have studied it exhaustively. There is some suggestion of an increased incidence of m/c but less, way less than caffine! I would not allow Babylon to make me switch to Opiates, that is just loco. Cannabis is indisputably safer. Antidepressants ARE conclusively risks of birth defects and those are clearly subject to the 'risk/benefit analysis', please tell me WHY Cannabis should be treated differently except for ignorance & superstition!

[Cassie Kowalik]

I am in the exact situation as you were. I live in San Diego and go to a clinic as well. I go to progressive medical specialists. I also am on a super high dose (190)! I am also a cannabis patient and even worked at the dispensary here in Ob! I am seeing Kelly van den heuvel for my Ob, but she said that's report mightbe filed if I keep smoking! Even though my clinic supports my cannabis use and doesn't test me for it! I called cps yesterday and was told just so long as your legal (cannabis card) and didn't show up dirty ever at the clinic, and there are no other substances in your system, then normally they won't take your newborn. It is important to note, however, that she ALSO said that a report most likely will be filed, but they don't take the child away unless other drugs are present, OR you can't provide adequate living for yur baby. In other words, someone from cps WILL come and investigate the situation, but as long as you keep your meds out of site then there shouldn't be a problem. I'd like to know the name of the Ob who is sympathetic to cannabis...? plz and thank you
Cas

[rightkindofme]

I used through my second pregnancy with the knowledge of my midwife. She knew it wasn't "the best choice in the whole world" but it was a choice I needed to make in order to make it through the pregnancy.

I am very sorry you are being threatened. I'm afraid that within the medical community--once you are a known target--they are going to give you a very hard time.