Do all hospitals drug test the babies when they are born?

Question

I was just reading someone elses question about weed staying in the system, and didn't want the baby to test positive. I never knew they do drug testing at birth is that common?

for those of you who were alittle judgemental i do not smoke, and was concerned that i didn't want my kids tested for something i wasn't aware of, it seemed odd for me to hear about drug testing on newborns that s all.

Answer 1

No, they don't do it. Only when the mother has had earlier problems with drugs.
Weed stays in your system for a couple of months only.

You probably know this, but you shouldn't smoke or drink alcohol when you're pregnant, as it affects your baby's health and growth...

Answer 2

I don't think anyone ever said that you smoke weed......they were just saying.

It is pretty common for a hospital to test the babies first bowel movement if the child is showing signs of drug withdrawal or if the mother has a history of substance abuse or PS history.

As a general rule, they do not...it is not a common test like hearing or eyes!

Answer 3

My wife frequently smoked weed when she was pregnant (I seriously objected, but it's "her body", so what could I really do?). Although they do take blood samples at the hospital to check the baby's health, the tests they perform are done "in-house" and do not include drug-testing. To my knowledge, drug testing usually requires consent or a court-order, is expensive, and requires sending the sample to a special lab for analysis.
Forget about these haters who are scolding you and calling you names. They're just D.A.R.E. dropouts who don't know any truth about drugs and like to jump to conclusions.
The truth is, not surprisingly, BOTH of my daughters are extremely bright, focused, inquisitive, energetic and healthy. My oldest just turned 5 and she acts as the "teacher's assistant" in her preschool class. Her teacher literally RAVED about her progress in school, and confided in me that she is "one of her favorites". She can already read "Cat in the Hat", tell time, and play V-Smile like a pro. My youngest is right behind her, and progressing at a faster rate than my oldest did (she's learning from her sister, though). The fact that my wife smoked while pregnant never hurt anything. And I'd certainly prefer that she did THAT rather than drink alcohol. Alcohol IS bad for baby.
The myth that weed makes people dumb is nothing but a load of B.S. If you want proof, you should meet my child prodigies 1 and 2. Myself, I like to smoke, and do so regularly. I'm also a SELF-TAUGHT, full-time computer programmer with a handsome salary. Did I mention that I'm self-taught? Did I also mention that even while I was learning, I was smoking the cheeba? The truth is, cannabis does NOT hurt your intelligence in the long run. In the short-run? Sure. I've forgotten where I left my keys when I was high. But that's temporary. Is it bad for your health? Well, only in the sense that you're SMOKING something, breathing it into your lungs. But when you consider the harmful additives that Big Tobacco puts in their cigarettes, you're probably safer smoking a joint than a Marlboro.

Okay, so I rambled on quite a bit. Sorry, the other answers here got on my nerves a little. America needs a better education.

Answer 4

No, I've never known of anyone's baby being routinely tested for drugs at birth. Unless it's a children's services case and there is some reason for concern. I've had 3 and I would have raised heck if they tested them for something I did not approve of.

Answer 5

Generally speaking it is illegal to preform any procedure or test on a minor child without the permission of the parent or guardian.

However certain countries and states have laws that override this basic fundamental right to security of person. These laws should be challanged wherever they are. We all deserve basic human rights, even the smallest of us with no voice of their own.

Answer 6

They only do a drug test if there is a history or a suspicion. You are pregnant, you should not be doing drugs. You are going to make your baby have learning disabilities. It may LOOK fine when it is born, but it will have problems when it reaches school age and has to learn things. I also knew a girl (acquaintance, sort of) that had a baby, and she supposedly HAD a drug problem a long time ago. She had her baby and then the hospital called child services after her the drug test they gave it and they took it from her. She told me this when I saw her at store later on, and she still doesn't have the kid now. THINK about more then yourself next time you want to get high.

Answer 7

They will do drug testing if they feel there is a reason to

Answer 8

Just because your kids came out fine doesn't mean that all will.

FWIW my MIL toked it up during the later half of all of her pgs (including my dh). She lost a baby at 6 months; stillbirth.

My mom smoked weed early on with a pregnancy after me and before my brother and lost that baby at 3 months. I didn't know this til just last year (knew about the m/c when it happened though).

There's a reason they say don't do it.

Answer 9

as far as i know they only drug test a newborn when the suspect something. that mom needs to be honest with the doctor. weed causes birth defects and very low birth weight the will know at birth

Answer 10

I don't think so, but they do take blood. Drug tests are expensive and I can't imagine them just testing willie nillie. Perhaps if they felt the baby was at risk they would test. How about this... dont take drugs while youre pregnant and there is nothing to worry about! Docs can tell what you've done while pregnant anyway by just looking at the placenta after that comes out, so if you think your hiding something, youre' not.