Pre Natal Drug Testing

sammibee33

hi everyone!

Today at my 30 week appointment, my doctor told me they want to random drug test me a few times from now until the end of my pregnancy because at my first visit I admitted to marijuana use. I, of course, agreed because I haven't smoked since I've been pregnant. When I asked why she said so that the nurses at the hospital won't question me about it, which has me concerned. I'm hoping the negative tests will put any question to rest, but will the hospital want to get child services involved because I admitted to using marijuana before I got pregnant? I'm of course really stressed and concerned about this. Any comments or advice would be appreciated ☺️ no judgment or negativity please!

SoonToBeGenao

As long as your drug screens are negative through delivery- and they will likely test the baby's urine for drugs as well, if everything is negative you have nothing to worry about

sammibee33

That's a relief! Thank you! Everything will be negative for sure, but it made me really nervous that they said they wanted to test me because I admitted to marijuana use before becoming pregnant - I just wanted to be honest at my first visit to make sure it wouldn't affect the baby.

twindlej

Typically if mom is screened several times by the OB and all results are negative then they won't test mom or baby at the hospital. No need for social services if all is negative. Good for u for quiting for your baby! I wish all mom's to be were as wise!

sammibee33

Thank you very much!! This is helpful ☺️

zmombie

No CPS won't be notified unless they had a positive tox screen. With my first I had told them I had used some recreational drugs, so they tested me every visit from that moment on up until she was born and then someone from the hospital pulled my mother aside (she was the one in the birthing room with me) and asked my mom if I had been doing drugs. I was annoyed that they didn't believe me but I fully understand. But don't stress it, if your not smoking now, then your doing nothing wrong by your baby.

sammibee33

Thank you!! I just got so nervous because hey haven't mentioned anything until now and the only time I mentioned smoking was at my first visit, but I stopped as soon as I found out. But they never said a word until now! So I was so shocked and it made me nervous. But I'm more than happy to do the tests at the OB if it will clear up any suspicions.

zmombie

Yea, that's the thing, if you weren't worried about your child's health you most likely wouldn't have mentioned it the first visit! Lol. But there just doing there jobs. It is weird they waited till now to do tests.. Like I said they tested me every visit.. It was positive the first visit because it hasn't gotten out of my system yet of course.. But after at least 30 urine tests (plus her blood work at birth that came back negative) you would think they didn't need to question my mom.. Protocol I guess

Knottie99627423

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

CANTW82BMOM

Knottie99627423 said:

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

I was wondering the same thing!

PreggerBarto

I find it crazy they can get social services involved even if it comes up positive. Only because in some states you can still have the baby aborted. But o no you can't have any drugs but you can still kill him if you want. Gee this country.

sammibee33

I live in CT, it's not legal for recreational use here. But I have to agree! I stopped as soon as I found out, I was just was surprised they never mentioned anything about it until now.

sammibee33

I think it's only about legality though as far as CPS goes. I've read a lot of doctors will allow it during pregnancy to help cope with severe morning sickness. I've read a lot of threads online where women say they're open with their doctor about marijuana use during pregnancy and the doctors don't have a problem with it generally - the government does. Either way I haven't done it during pregnancy! So hopefully I won't run into any problems.

Miz_Liz

CANTW82BMOM said:

Knottie99627423 said:

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

I was wondering the same thing!

Yes, they can/will still test the baby and report it to CPS if it comes back positive.

Knottie99627423

I think it is bs that a woman could get shit faced drunk throughout her whole pregnancy and that doesn't show up but smoke a little reefer and you can have CPS called. I am not saying, "Smoke drugs, no biggie!" but it sort of seems bunk.

hendS731

CANTW82BMOM said:

Knottie99627423 said:

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

I was wondering the same thing!

I would think so since it's still illegal under federal law but I'm not sure!

babysiers

hendS731 said:

CANTW82BMOM said:

Knottie99627423 said:

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

I was wondering the same thing!

I would think so since it's still illegal under federal law but I'm not sure!

They actually just put it through Congress and decriminalized it on a federal level (to an extent). But since it is still a drug they can obviously still report an infant with it in their system.. This being said it is based on state, doctors and hospitals to decide if they want to test you and baby for drugs. Most of the time it is with reasonable cause that they actually decide to do that test, especially with the price of testing

Ckorines

am I the only one that finds it admirable that the doctor's care that much about the new baby? No disrespect to mom, but I appreciate the fact that they are protecting little one as much as they can. Besides, if it's negative than this whole conversation is null and void. I would never oppose a random drug test, especially for the well being of my family. You will be fine. In fact, I'd be thankful to have such caring medical professionals.

zmombie

Knottie99627423 said:

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

Yea it's just like alcohol... It still harms the baby even if it's legal. But they don't do it over cigarette smoke? Makes a world of sense right?

Miz_Liz

zmombie said:

Knottie99627423 said:

So, I wonder.....if you lived in a state where recreational pot use was legal (Colorado for example) could they still test you?  Sorry you are dealing with this. 

Yea it's just like alcohol... It still harms the baby even if it's legal. But they don't do it over cigarette smoke? Makes a world of sense right?

If you scroll up, I answered this for you. Even though pot is legal in Colorado, they can and will still drug test the baby if they have reason to believe (or probably hospital policy in some places) that there may be a risk. If the baby tests positive for marijuana, they will report it to CPS. If you drank like a fish during pregnancy and your baby had obvious signs of fetal alcohol syndrome, they would be required to report that too. There are plenty of things that are "legal" for adults that are still not sanctioned for use during pregnancy and using things that harm your baby will still result in CPS becoming involved and possibly taking your child.

sammibee33

No I completely agree and I agreed to the testing and have no problem with it. But I wasn't sure if the negative tests would put everything to rest or not. I don't want CPS involved simply because I said I used to smoke before I got pregnant. But the common consensus seems to be that if the tests are negative there will not be a problem - so I'm completely fine with it. I was just very shocked it hadn't been brought up until now at 30 weeks.