is a pregnant women tested for drugs at any point during pregnany or at delivery?

Question

My friend claims she was tested for drugs while pregnant but i never have been and I can't imagine they could test you for that without your permission or just cause.

Answer 1

No they dont test for drugs during pregnancy or delivery unless there is cause for concern at the hospital when the baby is born.. but even then, the mother either has to give permission or a court order for the bloodwork to be done. Most pregnant women are tested for HIV but they have to give written permission for this test to be done.

Someone said that the hospital tests for it but doesnt tell you: if they did do this your friend wouldnt know she was tested for it. It's also very illegal. You sign a waiver when you get your blood drawn, on the waiver it tells you what they are testing for: example: CBC, thyroid, etc. The exception is babies: most hospitals test babies for drugs but some only do it when there is just cause to be concerned.

Answer 2

Your doctor can test you without your permission. there are many reasons why they may test you. Baby isn't growing, moving, preterm labor, etc. If the patient has a known history of drug use they will also be tested. Many people may have been tested routinely for drugs during their pregnancy and never known. It can be done with urine or blood. If a patient is suspected of drug use then they will test the baby's first bowel movement at the hospital for drugs.

Answer 3

In the military, pregnant women got tested all the time because of the random computer system and they still gave a sample. You just never know with different people, and sad to say, but I do know of a couple of cases that came up positive. One can always refuse to take a drug test, but that just makes them pursue a way to get one done legally.

Answer 4

If the Dr. has reason to test they will. It is usually done with all the standard blood tests that they do. They also check for HIV.
At the hospital they will test though and you usually don't know because they do a lot of random testing along with another HIV test. How else do you think they know when babies are going through withdraw and stuff.

Answer 5

Not normally.
It happens in cases where the mother is or was a user.
This is to ensure that she will not harm the baby. If drugs were present they could take steps to confirm the mother so as to prevent any harm to the baby.

I have also heard that women or spouses in the military service corp do drug testing but they must have signed some type of waiver because it would be considered against free rights.

Answer 6

I have never been tested for anything w/o my permission. The Dr's have never even given me a blood test w/o asking me. When I had my third child, she came so fast, 23 minutes, they tested her b/c they said that was sign of drug-related birth. Of course, she tested negative, all my children were born under 5 hours. I'm sorry for those that are hating me. lol

Answer 7

Yes they test you. Several times. It is a public health practice.

Edited:

I am a healthcare management professor and former NICU charge nurse. My viewpoint may not cooincide with the rest of you BUT I do know what I am talking about.

EVERYONE is tested during pregnancy for drugs and STD"s, at least twice. They are standard prenatal blood tests. All infants are tested at birth.

Answer 8

I have 3 kids and have never been tested for drugs. Is she a known drug addict or something? If she was tested it would be because children services or the court made her.

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

I do believe they need your consent to test u but once the baby is born they could test the baby. I do know in Canada if you refuse any tests( hiv,aids, hepatitis ect..) your doctor can refuse to have you as a patient.