Sharing a ?!? conversation

SSCmomma · November 2014

Didn't know how else to title this but I had to share. I was speaking with a woman yesterday that I know through work. She is about to become a grandmother and her daughter's due date was Halloween but no baby yet. She said her daughter has been really uncomfortable so she is smoking weed to take the edge off! The part that really blows my mind is that Grandma wasn't upset about her daughter actually smoking up while pregnant but was pissed because when her daughter goes into labor they will drug test her and when the test comes up positive then Child Protective Services will give them a hard time. She said they have gone through this before and that the hospital calling CPS when her daughter's drug test comes up positive is a violation of doctor\patient confidentiality! Her concern is not the fact that her daughter is smoking up while pregnant but instead feels the hospital has no right to report it. SMH!!!!!!!!!

snowbaby1214 · November 2014

I wouldn't even know how to respond to that….

SSCmomma · November 2014

I'm in PA so it's not legal here. I am not against legal marijuana but I still don't think that would make it ok to use while pregnant. Grandma used the excuse that her daughter has just been so uncomfortable. Seriously! We're all uncomfortable! Suck it up buttercup! I'm uncomfortable and would kill to take some aleve or advil but what I ingest isn't about me, it's about the baby for now.

soon2bejp · November 2014

Wow, let me gather my jaw up from the floor. Yes, the hospital/Drs/nurses are mandatory reporters. Once a drug test comes up positive with a pregnant momma law enforcement has to be contacted (I don't know how this works in states where marijuana is legal).

I agree with pp. Research a little, so when and if it comes up again you will be loaded with an educated response.

Good job not punching her in the face.

kellyfo14 · November 2014

What the what?

southernyankeegirl · November 2014

I am actually not overly bothered by the idea of smoking pot while pregnant. I have seen several articles on how there's no proof that recreational light use causes issues for baby - this isn't like meth where the baby comes out addicted and going through detox.

If it's illegal where she lives, then she should know the consequences. Which is reckless - I'd never risk CPS taking my baby. But as for whether smoking pot during pregnancy makes her a terrible parent, I tend to think there's far worse things people do while pregnant that wouldn't lead to CPS taking your kid, and I reserve judgement not knowing much on the effects of marijuana on a fetus.

(Disclaimer: I haven't used pot since college, and that's the only drug I ever used).

LuckyPenny1231 · November 2014

Cigarettes are legal and I would judge a pregnant woman for smoking those too. I'm not sure what I would say if I were in your position! Like you said, all pregnant women are uncomfortable especially when they are overdue!

britb618 · November 2014

How did you even respond to her? I mean I would probably be so surprised I wouldn't know what to say, or I'd be a bitch and regret being that way later. Not really sure.

The fact that she is putting her child at risk of being taken away by CPS blows my mind ...and the fact that she said she's been through this before is unfathomable. How could you smoke pot knowing that in the past CPS has gotten involved when you've smoked pot...I would be petrified and it shows a lack of responsibility on her part and I hope CPS does get involved to make sure she isn't making other decisions that are detrimental to her children.

Samiantha101 · November 2014

I don't smoke weed not do I use any recreational drugs, however I find it very kind of disturbing how upsetting this makes a lot of ladies on the bump, many of whom are prescribed drugs by their doctors, often times narcotics, for uncomforts that pregnancy brings. Consider this my UO.

britb618 · November 2014

To be clear my issue isn't actually with the pot, its with the recklessness of knowing that CPS will get involved and ignoring that issue completely so that you can feel better.

Women who are prescribed drugs by their doctors are told of the risks related to the drugs but they are legal and aren't putting their child at risk of being put in foster care for the first few weeks of their life.

also, who knows what is in that pot you bought that isn't legal....

4littlebears · November 2014

Yeah, I have to agree with britb. Knowing CPS would get involved and still doing it, SMH. I'm not against pot use either, I hope it's legalized here someday. But if I knew something could happen to take my baby away, I wouldn't dream of doing it. I'm scared as it is, with GD that my baby will have trouble with sugars and have to go to NICU. Plus smoking while pregnant, whatever you're smoking, is not loving or responsible. She could take some Tylenol like the rest of us.

Sorry you were put in a weird spot, I wouldn't know what to say! I'd probably just be like, "ok... I'm sorry??"

AlfiesMOM · November 2014

:-/

peggels24 · November 2014

So...my question is - do they automatically do a drug test when the baby is born? It doesn't personally matter to me but I've never heard of this before and I'm curious.

UberBiz · November 2014

peggels24 said:

So...my question is - do they automatically do a drug test when the baby is born? It doesn't personally matter to me but I've never heard of this before and I'm curious.

This is a good point. I mean, even if they draw blood, unless there's reason to, I'm not sure they look for drugs right off the bat?

I'm also not against pot use, but yeah if they're worried about CPS getting involved, that would be reason enough for me to abstain.

Maebb · November 2014

Samiantha101 said:
I don't smoke weed not do I use any recreational drugs, however I find it very kind of disturbing how upsetting this makes a lot of ladies on the bump, many of whom are prescribed drugs by their doctors, often times narcotics, for uncomforts that pregnancy brings. Consider this my UO.

If I recall, aren't you the person who thinks fibromyalgia and other "invisible diseases" are fake? If I'm right about that, I don't really trust your assessment of medical issues for which doctors may or may not prescribe medication.

bustysinclare · November 2014

Why does the hospital drug test? I mean - I am in no way saying she should be smoking weed, especially when there's a lot of brain development going on those last weeks...but if the hospital feels the need to drug test her though, I feel like there has got to be something going on there.

soon2bejp · November 2014

The difference between prescribed meds and medicating yourself is that the Dr considers the pregnancy category and whether or not these meds cross the placenta to the baby. I haven't done research on pot to know the effects on a fetus, but as someone else mentioned, even if you know the source there is no guarantee it isn't laced with something.

soon2bejp · November 2014

And if I remember correctly from nursing school, the mom is drug tested and if it's + then the baby is tested. It's been a while, so don't quote me on that and it is probably different everywhere.

4littlebears · November 2014

I don't know, but I was never drug tested that I know of

thompnia · November 2014

bustysinclare said:
Why does the hospital drug test? I mean - I am in no way saying she should be smoking weed, especially when there's a lot of brain development going on those last weeks...but if the hospital feels the need to drug test her though, I feel like there has got to be something going on there.

Where I live, the urine sample you provide at every prenatal visit is drug tested. If you drop dirty at any point in pregnancy, then they note that.

Samiantha101 · November 2014

saiven said:

Samiantha101 said:

I don't smoke weed not do I use any recreational drugs, however I find it very kind of disturbing how upsetting this makes a lot of ladies on the bump, many of whom are prescribed drugs by their doctors, often times narcotics, for uncomforts that pregnancy brings. Consider this my UO.

When your doctor prescribes a medication, it's a little different than self-medicating because you're overdue and uncomfortable. You are also able to refuse that medication. Your doctor and you, as the patient, weigh the risks to you and your fetus because the medication is even discussed.

Also, this discussion isn't about our opinions about recreational marijuana use. It's about the legality of smoking pot while pregnant when there's a possibility of CPS getting involved. And even if it wasn't, it's okay to be uncomfortable with someone using an illegal or illicit substance while pregnant. That's how I feel when I see pregnant women smoking.

If we want to have a discussion about whether drug use during pregnancy should be criminalized, great! Bring it on. But that's not what's going on here. Also, you don't need to be contrary to ever single thing that's posted here, though I know you seem to enjoy doing so.

Yes, when a doctor prescribes you a drug where it hasn't been found to be completely safe for the baby, it's so much different, because after all, it was prescribed by a doctor! Doctor practices and drug companies aren't for profit, and they always have your best interest in mind too, right?

I had the unfortunate experience of watching a little baby go through withdrawal, despite her mother only taking prescribed drugs. But I am sure that was an isolated experience, right?

Beauxbaton · November 2014

Samiantha101 said:

saiven said:

Samiantha101 said:

I don't smoke weed not do I use any recreational drugs, however I find it very kind of disturbing how upsetting this makes a lot of ladies on the bump, many of whom are prescribed drugs by their doctors, often times narcotics, for uncomforts that pregnancy brings. Consider this my UO.

When your doctor prescribes a medication, it's a little different than self-medicating because you're overdue and uncomfortable. You are also able to refuse that medication. Your doctor and you, as the patient, weigh the risks to you and your fetus because the medication is even discussed.

Also, this discussion isn't about our opinions about recreational marijuana use. It's about the legality of smoking pot while pregnant when there's a possibility of CPS getting involved. And even if it wasn't, it's okay to be uncomfortable with someone using an illegal or illicit substance while pregnant. That's how I feel when I see pregnant women smoking.

If we want to have a discussion about whether drug use during pregnancy should be criminalized, great! Bring it on. But that's not what's going on here. Also, you don't need to be contrary to ever single thing that's posted here, though I know you seem to enjoy doing so.

Yes, when a doctor prescribes you a drug where it hasn't been found to be completely safe for the baby, it's so much different, because after all, it was prescribed by a doctor! Doctor practices and drug companies aren't for profit, and they always have your best interest in mind too, right?

I had the unfortunate experience of watching a little baby go through withdrawal, despite her mother only taking prescribed drugs. But I am sure that was an isolated experience, right?
--------------
Sure, its not an isolated event, but it isn't the norm. And yes most doctors do in fact have your best interests at heart. Otherwise they put themselves in a position for more malpractice and negligence lawsuits. If you don't think your doctor has your health as their first priority you should switch doctors.

britb618 · November 2014

and once again, no one has said anything about the safeness of it against the safeness of prescription drugs. We are talking about CPS taking your kid and treating that nonchalantly.

spoonleg · November 2014

thompnia said:

Why does the hospital drug test? I mean - I am in no way saying she should be smoking weed, especially when there's a lot of brain development going on those last weeks...but if the hospital feels the need to drug test her though, I feel like there has got to be something going on there.
Where I live, the urine sample you provide at every prenatal visit is drug tested. If you drop dirty at any point in pregnancy, then they note that.

Most states drug test all new moms. They test your urine at prenatal visits and at the hospital at time of delivery. OP, please tell your coworker that not only does the hospital have a "right" to report her use, they have a responsibility to do so. And CPS will be all over her ass, especially because she's been on their radar before.

(Source: I'm former nurse case manager who had to call CPS on new moms with positive UDS on a near-daily basis.)

MKateG · November 2014

Ok, first, nice job for not losing your cool with that lady because I would have. I'm not trying to open a can of worms... but I feel that mom is being extremely irresponsible by placing her infant at risk not only from exposing it to an illegal drug but also placing it at risk of being taken away. One can find research for and against smoking weed while pregnant. The bottom line is that it is an illegal drug that contains chemicals, pesticides, and some are laced with other drugs. Since it is illegal in her state she has no idea what she is actually ingesting. Her baby and her body need oxygen not smoke as others have said. Drugs that are prescribed by your dr are approved by the FDA and have been extensively researched. They also have a pregnancy class that not only tells whether they cross the placenta but if they cause harm to the fetus. (Fyi: THC does cross the placenta) Sorry if I said things that have already been mentioned but I didn't finish reading all posts.

SSCmomma · November 2014

peggels24 said:

So...my question is - do they automatically do a drug test when the baby is born? It doesn't personally matter to me but I've never heard of this before and I'm curious.

I'm not sure. Just going by what the grandma told me.

peggels24 · November 2014

SSCmomma said:

peggels24 said:

So...my question is - do they automatically do a drug test when the baby is born? It doesn't personally matter to me but I've never heard of this before and I'm curious.

I'm not sure. Just going by what the grandma told me.

I did a little research and it seems that it varies by area and by hospital.

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