pregnancy/drug testing you/your newborn?

Question

I recently heard that when you have your baby they can drug test you, and your baby to make sure no drugs have been used. Under what circumstances would you qualify to be tested?

Is it true that they always test minors/their baby's after they give birth, simply due to the fact that they're minors?

I am not pregnant, or doing drugs, I am just wondering; no rude comments please.

Answer 1

Usually when you sign your hospital paperwork you give consent to any "necessary" testing, which is determined by the hospital. Women who have substance abuse issues and are pregnant really need to seek help through treatment centers specializing in this population.

I have had the blessing and opportunity to assist women in substance abuse treatment in labor and delivery. Most were asked about their drug use and were tested at the hospital. Since the facility I worked at was residential, there was on-going random testing at the center and it would have been hard to be using. The babies were not taken away. The women were provided parenting classes and 24 hour assistance as needed with their babies.

Treatment will help you to have a healthier pregnancy, you will receive the appropriate medications to help you emotionally and physically, and you will give your baby the chance to be born healthy. I have seen that women who are in treatment and working through their program have been able to parent successfully. Of course, success is in direct relation to the amount of effort you are willing to put into your life to make a difference.

If you know someone who is pregnant and using, please encourage them to call the local mental health agency in your area to ask for referrals to treatment centers in your area. Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I didn't think the testing was automatic, but rather done when there is suspicion of maternal drug use. At least that is what I read from the Department of Health's web site, which also notes that there is inconsistency among the various states on whether testing is mandatory v. discretionary. Either way, I don't see a problem with testing, especially when there is a reasonable suspicion. Hopstials and health care providers have a duty to report suspected abuse of children, and I would have to say that drug use during pregnancy qualifies. Additionally, the child would need some kind of treatment if found to be positive. Really, considering the gravity of potential consequences it is in the best interest of the child to just test. Wow...I read your additional details. Where is the paranoia coming from? I agree we have constitutional rights, but the constitution itself doesn't explicitly say the government can't mandate drug testing in newborns. There are those who argue that is implied within the constitution, but again it is not explicitly there.

Answer 3

Ask your OB, very casually, if your state tests everyone.
If he/she asks why, say a friend in another state told you about it [ me!]
If he/she says yes, say " Good! Now they can get those people some help." You don't need to give your doctor bad vibes.
All states do not test everyone. It would be horribly expensive.
They don't have to test the moms - if the baby is positive, guess what? So are you.
Some states/docs will get a court order if they can't get consent for a test, and will alert Social Services.
I have seen babies taken from their parents in the hospital,
babies abandoned in the hospital, and babies go home to be abused or killed.
Any experience with these will make you bless drug tests and suspicious hospital staff.

Answer 4

It depends on the state. I believe right now every state in the US drug tests every baby born. However different states have different laws on what is done when a babys drug test is positive. In New york the baby is taken from the mother. In maryland the baby is not taken and actually nothing is done. they say that although the mother used during pregnancy and had a baby born on drugs that it doesnt prove abuse and they must actually hurt the child for the state to take custody. i personally think any baby born dug positive has already been abused and should be taken away.

Answer 5

When you are pregnant, every time they take a urine sample at your dr app it test for anything abnormal in your urine (including drugs) and yes when the baby is born and you sign a consent form to any necessary testing you are consenting to ALL of it. No if ands or buts about it. They will test the baby, if the baby has drugs in its system then you will have to go thru DHS and keep taking htese drug tests. It is kinda like a probation period from what I understand.
My brother and sister in law just adopted a 3 month old because the mother always had crystal meth in her system, the baby was bron with it in her system, and DHS gave her a trial period to clean herself up. She had to take 2 drug tests per month. If half or more of them were positive for drugs then she loses custody of her baby. Guess what? She lost custody. Now my brother and sister in law have adopted the baby. It is a serious matter when a baby is in the picture. In my opinion a girl who uses drugs has no right to even have a baby. A child does not need to be born to that type of lifestyle. It is dangerous. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 6

NO! you have to consent to every test our baby goes through. not everyone has their baby at a hospital. my son was born 6 weeeks ago and i can asure you he wwas not drug tested. They can order a drug test in suspision of drug abuse to the baby or social services can order it, they just can't go around testing someone else's baby because they are a hospital. like i said not eveyone has tehir baby in a hospital anyways and the minor thing is not true either, that's called diiscrimination

Answer 7

yes- they can and will screen pregnant mothers for drugs. If drugs are found in a pregnant woman's system or in an infants then they can and probably will revoke custody of the child. Pregnant women who use drugs during pregnancy usualy have to give their child up to the state.

Answer 8

I recreationally smoked marijana and quit as soon as I discovered my pregnancy. I told my midwife and it came back on my standard blood screen. When my baby was born they asked me if I would consent to a test so that it could be put behind us. I never checked the legality but at the time it didn't seem like a big deal, I know they just cared about the health of my baby.

Answer 9

All babies are tested for drugs & if they find any they call cps & you most likely lose your baby.