maternal drug abuse

My grandaughter is now three months old and I just got temp custody of her on Monday.After cps remove her from her mother and the mother tested positive. It has been brought to my attention that her mother had smoked pot during her prenancy and when she was born full term she was only 5' 12 lbs if i had a hair follicle test done on my grandaughter now would it show that their was drug abuse durging the pregnancy. Please help I am despreat to keeping her from ever hurting her again. Her doctors said she shows side affects of a baby going through with draws but we did a urine test and it was negitive.

[kikicoates78]

CPS removed the baby over smoking pot? I would say if thats all they found you will have a hard time keeping her. Not that I'm condoning it, but I have been a nurse in the psych, rehab, feild for years, there are no withdraw symptoms for pot? That is just a mental thing. If it were narcotics or heavy street drugs than yes, but not pot. I understand your concearn for your grandaughter but the reality is most likely if the mother wants her back, she will get her if she follows the steps, Is this your daughter's baby. You should be wanting her to get her life together that baby needs her mommy, you should offer help to her, not turn your back with her child. If there is more involved maybe I talk out of line, but pot smoking is easily over come, she just needs guidance.

[spade22]

A standard hair follicle test will detect drug use/exposure during the last 3 months and is more sensitive than a urine test.  It is possible to look at an even longer history (depending on how much hair is available) but 3 months is the norm.

It is also possible to have your daughters hair tested if there are concerns about drug use during pregnancy.

[AndiJ78]

I disagree with Kiki, I do believe it is a serious matter and like it or not, marijuana is illegal and partaking in the use of illegal drugs during pregnancy is a CPS issue. It is more of an issue as this is not a matter of being addicted to a drug and being unable to quit without treatment, but rather willfully using it despite known consequences.

A drug, is a drug, is a drug. The laws in this country speak clearly on this issue. Until that changes, the law states that maternal marijuana use is treated the same as maternal crack cocaine use.

I agree that hair follicle testing should reveal more.

[mami1323]

I agree with Andi on this one.  She was knowingly pregnant and smoking pot.  The harms it had on her baby are evident, now she has had her child removed from her home.  So the consequences are extreme.  Her baby is showing signs of withdrawal from a drug.  Selfish to say the least.  I would get a hair follicle test done as well.  Even if it shows nothing, at least you tried.

[hkenny]

I do not agree with any kind of drug use during pregnancy.
I can tell you that my husbands mother smoked pot with both of her kids and there was never anything wrong. Being 27 and 30 you would think by now if the pot use had caused issues they would have arrisen by now. The only thing I can say is that pot now and pot 30 yrs ago could be completly different.
As a pregnant women i cant understand why any mother would be willing to be there baby at risk for anything, even is pot as a drug isnt a "bad" drug during pregnancy ( and compared to what) the fact that she willing smoked it while pregnant is something I think the courts should look at when deciding custody. If she was willing to smoke it while pregnant what is she willing to do after? I do beleive that we are much more educated in this day and age about adverse affects from a lot of things during pregnancy and pregnant women owe it to their babies to be responsible and selfless. My mom smoked with me 25 years ago, back then it wasnt looked at as a big deal, now it is and I know she never would have.
I pray that your granddaughter doesnt have any side affects from this and that the law will side with you and give you custody of that baby.
Good luck.

[pamdaz]

I will soon be a new grandma and if I have any doubt that my daughter is doing drugs now or after the birth, I would do all i can to try and help my daughter get help and grandchild.   People have no shame these days on anything.   I would be so worried back when i was young to ever think about smoking even a cigaretts while being pregnant.   Drugs and alcohol are such a problem and watching the celebraties on TV does not help.........I wish you luck and hope the best for you and your family.  Where is your daughter now?  Does she need help?  That baby will want and need mom at some point in her life so mom needs to get help soon....

[findinghumility]

I agree with kikki and I don't think she is saying pot is no big deal I think she's just trying to say that if the mom follows the steps they provide she will probably get her baby back.  We're foster parents and I majored in Criminology.  My understanding is that with drug use where the child was uninvolved the parents usually get them back assuming they follow the courts guidelines and get their act together.  Now if she has a history that can be proven or if when she was brought in she was incapacitated where they could go from the angle of neglect then they might have some footing.  I think a LOT of it will depend on what conditions the baby was currently living in and what mom does now in regards to what the court asks of her.  It can be SOOO complicated. Hang in there it's a tough position you are in.  Usually the social workers and pretty good about the type of questions you have....if they are resistant or just too busy, one person you might find helpful to talk to would be whomever is assigned as your granddaughters "guardian at litem" They are the person who is independently present to advocate for your granddaughters well being and make sure that her voice is heard. They may be able to give you some advice as well.  Take care though, my thoughts are with you!

[kikicoates78]

Just to clarify : I never meant to sound like I thought it was Okay for her to smoke pot while pregnant or smoke it period for that matter, I am 21 weeks and have a problem taking tylenol, just because. I was just stating that she ( the childs mother) will probly attain custody back if she truley wants it. She will need counciling and treatment, but there are far worse things that children are not being taken for. I think any one my age has heard their parents stories, I know mine openly addmitted smoking pot during pregnancy, once again.. NOT saying it is OK... Just that I didn't have any damage. I am educated and very successful, I also think if this is her daughter she should be more involved in getting her help, not just taking her child.