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Dilemma: Vicodin @ 37WKS-Will baby show positive?

As of Thursday, I am 37 weeks pregnant. My doctor prescribed me Flexeril around 25WKS for pain, as needed. I took them as prescribed, however it never helped the pain-only left me with horrific headaches after I had woken up. Therefore, I stopped taking them & notified my doctor, who then told me to just 'rough it out with Tylenol'. I had this conversation with my Aunt around 32WKS (who is an RN) and she gave me 5 Vicodin (who has been prescribed for migraines). She told me only take when needed, & that they are safe to take during pregnancy (because she, as well took them during her last pregnancy) She's family-& a nurse so I trust her. I am on Medicaid, however & was recently informed that by state, upon receiving government assistance you give consent to a drug test (Mom & baby) upon birth. I did not take these for leisure, & now I am concerned about the outcome of the situation. I have never taken ANY drug for leisure & I'm usually extremely cautious when it comes to medication, this has just been a cluster mess of stress on me. It would settle my nerves, though to know if I am at risk for any opiates to be in my unborn baby's system? Or if anybody knows how they go about testing after birth?
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Avatar universal
I have taken none perscribed pain meds for most of my pregnancy. I havent failed my drug tats that my dr has given me and was just given a script of meds by a dr. i have been honest with my obgyn and told her i was taking these meds before they were perscribed. will i loose custody of my child?
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
I honestly think you have nothing to worry about, and I'm SURE your doctor will understand, it takes a lot for a doctor to think a mother is a druggie, and you sound far from it! I can understand your worry though, you'll be fine! :)
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Avatar universal
I also found on this Alabama Medicaid website:
http://medicaid.alabama.gov/news_detail.aspx?ID=6042

Where it states "Medicaid will cover medically necessary qualitative drug screens as follows:"..." High risk pregnancy only when the documented patient history demonstrates that the procedure is medically necessary.  Medicaid does not consider a qualitative drug screen as a routine component of assessment."

But I'm not sure as to what this means specifically, such as "routine". This could just mean Dr. appointments? Either way, I'll mention it & get to the bottom of this. I think the stress from this is causing more damage at this point. But thanks again.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your input. I do intend on telling my doctor about this with my next check up this Tuesday. I'm just a little anxious about this because if it's not necessary-I don't want to bring any negative attention our way. I especially don't want to make it difficult to continue with Medicaid assistance for me & my child. I honestly just didn't think this one through enough. I neglected to inform my Aunt I was on assistance. she just assumed my job had insurance to cover & 6 years ago they didn't have mandatory testing on Mom/Baby. It was all with good intent. & I also don't want her to get into any issues with her profession. Hence why I turned to this site in the first place.
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
I agree KJ2112, boy24, they may have just skipped you, sometimes people and things fall through the cracks, it could have been a busy day or someone that wasn't concerned with you being a druggy, but I'm absolutely the farthest thing from a person who takes drugs, I don't even like to take tylenol, and I didn't take any medicines during labor, and my son was tested, due to the state insurance. I don't know if it's certain states, or a bill waiting to be passed, but as of right now, you can be tested without consent.
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Avatar universal
Just curious how come they didnt test me? Not trying to agrue at a cuz alot of women are saying the same thing about the whole drug testing on state insurance thing but if u read my post from above...im just curious how I fell through the cracks with my daughters delivery?
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Avatar universal
They dont tell you they drug test.. When your at the hospital they will do a urine sample on you like usual and they will check the baby in the nursery... and no issues will be talked through with you, and its mandatory in all states if your receiving govt assistant..
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Avatar universal
Also like I said I was on state insurance when I was pregnant with my daughter and also my current pregnancy...n was never drug tested...i didnt want to say this...but with my daughter when I went into labor...i was so afraid of the pain that I took a perocet that day (it was presribed to me the pervious yr from a broken hand) I was never tested nor did any1 in the hosptail say anything about it being in my system...which def would have shown up on a test since I took it that day! Soo no they do not drug test every1 on state insurance...
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Avatar universal
I came back to this post after I looked up some information after reading lovelyglover's post n I have read that it is absoutly true that  u can NOT be drug tested without knowledge or consent...but however if u do test postive for any drug during or after birth they do not need consent to test the infant...Also I read u could have signed consent on drug testing when u applied for state asstitant....point is read everything before signing ur name! B
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
You can, and do get tested without consent, two of my cousins are OB nurses, and they do random drug tests, especially if they believe the mother may have been taking anything, they do drug tests on any mother that has state insurance.
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Avatar universal
Yu can't be tested without first being informed...I read an article about this online last week.and.they have passed a law requiring consent of a drug test and.if yu do not consent they will retrieve a warrant but they can no longer test without yer permission as it is an invasion of privacy...
Helpful - 0
187316 tn?1386356682
The best thing to do would be to tell your doctor that you took one. As far as it being in the baby's blood its doubtful. I believe it only says in your system for a couple days.

Also, I had a friend who was addicted to oxycontin 30's during her pregnancy. She spoke to her doctor and he helped her cut back and then stop completely by her last 2 months. At the hospital because she had taken them CPS did come to talk with her and check in but the baby didn't show positive for drugs and no one took her baby away.
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
I'm not sure, I'm sure they skip a few, or forget a few, or maybe the hospital was too busy? They may have also tested a urine sample you left at your doctors office before you had your baby, if that was negative, they may have called that good. You can ask them if they ever did, they have to tell you. I was very close with my nurse, and I asked her after why I wasn't informed about it, not that I cared, but I was just curious, she said anyone with state insurance was required a drug test, and a signature or approval was required. Ridiculous, maybe, but I'm sure it's just for the best interest of the child.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I said in a pervious post...im on state insurance and never once was tested for drugs by my obgyn or the hosptail with my daughter or this current pregnancy...so im just lil confused why ppl say that? Personally I think that is diiscrimnating...how can u they can ur goin be drug tested just because u need medical insurance...im not saying its not true but its crazy to me!
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
Especially if you're on state insurance, they can test you without you knowing. In NY, if you're on state insurance, it's a requirement to test the baby for drugs, I was on state insurance with my son, and they told me AFTER he was tested (when they were doing his "hearing tests") that he was negative for drugs, so I didn't even know they were testing him til after. It's best to just be honest with your doctor instead of having it pop up on you, they can test the baby's blood or BM, or they can test you, and they can do this without asking for your consent. If there's any amount, CPS will be called, because if it wasn't prescribed to you during your pregnancy, who's to say you're not doing it for recreation? (NOT saying you are, but I'm sure there are plenty of addict mothers that say ohh it was just for pain) I'm sure it will be out of your system before the baby is born though, good luck!
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Avatar universal
I agree with babyboy12...u will be fine...n dont worry bout it ...also how canur hosptail prove that these vicidin wasnt prescribed to u before pregnancy? If ur not an addict dont worry...n if anything comes back be honest and tell them u were in pain! I dont even think they will drug test u if ur obgyn isnt drug testing u...if ur obgyn was testing u he has to u if ur postive for anything he cant hold that info from u!
Helpful - 0
1999115 tn?1332265324
most doctors drug test you without you even knowing , hospitals also. if your on any kind of state assistance. that's what I've been told anyways. and if you let ur doctor know you've been taking then, if they do do a random drug test when your baby's born you'll be fine since you mentioned it to your doctor. I'm sure nothing will happen, but better safe than sorry.

not 100% sure of this info, in just passing along what I've been told and heard.
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Avatar universal
U will be fine dont  worry..
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Avatar universal
Never heard of them testing your water... &if that is the case alot of ppl will be in trouble...
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Avatar universal
As far as I know my OB/GYN has not tested me for drugs. I do know I have to have a urine sample before each visit-which I believe is a standard procedure. I am not taking them anymore, due to the fact of my neighbor scaring me about the risks of the state being involved. I would not have taken them if I had known otherwise. It's just that, technically I am full term & for never doing recreational drugs, I'm worried I'm just going to have crappy luck. I know it can stay in my system for up to 5 days & that's not really my concern. I'm just more so worried about my daughter having it in hers. Which hopefully, like you said they will not test if it is out of mine, prior.  I'm not due for almost 3 weeks-but still would like a straight forward answer without having to come across as an addict :(
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Avatar universal
I work with social workers* im sry im not social worker...i work with and around social workers...that was written wrong sry!
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Avatar universal
Also Im sure ppl will tell u cps will take ur child away from u...dont let any1 scare u with that! Im a social worker myself and we strive to keep families together and the ones who do get their babies taken away r the ones that use illicit drugs like herion and cociane...
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Avatar universal
Also my dentist prescribed me both viciodin and tylonel 3s for a abcesed tooth...n both my dr and dentisit told me it is safe in moderate use and aslong as ur not absuing them..
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Avatar universal
Maybe that a requirement in ur state...i live in Pa n dont think that is required here...did ur obgyn drug test u also? But im also confused about the water bag? When ur water breaks u could not even be at the hosptail and if u are are the hosptial they usually pop ur water n its all over the bed...lol so im lil confused how they could possible."sample" that...but as far as i know viciodin is usually outta of ur system within 3 to 5 days...so stop taking it now...maybe if u show no drug they will have no reason to test baby...not sure how long it takes for babys system though...
Helpful - 0
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