stopping THC use @ 23 weeks...baby positive?

[ckane2]

I quit smoking weed at 23 weeks pregnant....In fact, I wasn't even smoking the entire time...I just actually slipped up and smoked a couple times at around 20-22 weeks pregnant. I then immediately quit again. My question is...If I completely stopped at 23 weeks (never to pick it up again), will the baby test negative on a blood test? From what I have researched, I believe that the baby should test negative at birth....But I would like to get some feedback from someone who many know more about this topic....

Please let me know....

[wanttobeamumagain]

Why quit at 23 weeks? Why didnt you quit the day you found out you were pregnant? Sorry if i sound harsh but think it disgusting pregnant women smoking cigarettes let alone weed. You said you slipped up a couple of times, well to me slipping up is when you eat something like a runny egg when you forgot you weren't aloud to when pregnant. I hope you baby is well and healthy and comes out just fine!

[amandacole]

It's better to quit now than NOT at all! I am sure your baby will be just fine. Congrats on quitting. Good luck to you and your baby!!

[Riot_Queen]

I'm not sure what to tell you but that I know a few women that have smoked pot on several occasions while pregnant.

I will say that you'd better not let it happen again because ppl say that there's nothing in pot that's of any harm to you, but if there's nothing in it, then WHY does it get you high??
One joint equals up to 3+ cigarettes depending on how big it is.

I smoke and I'm asshamed for it.
I understand it's hard to quit something you like. Atleast you've been able to quit. I haven't yet.
I've tried and tried but my environment where everyone in my house uses tobacco products, and alot of stress, makes it hard to give up the only way you know how to deal with stress.
Thankfully though I'll be in the hospital for ATLEAST 2 days when I have this baby, and so I won't be able to smoke. So that's 2 days already handed to me without a cigarette, and it'd be stupid to start back up.

I'm sure your baby will be fine.
My mother did CRACK while she was pregnant with me and I'm pretty normal I guess.
I have a few issues, just like the next guy, but I'm fine.
Women have done worse than you. Don't stress it. Just don't do it again.
=]

[ckane2]

to the first person that replied...I meant slipped up as in I smoked like 2 bowls at 20 weeks because I had horrible morning sickness. I had done research online and discovered that MANY women have used THC as a form for aid through serious HG. I completely quit when I found out I was pregnant...but at 20 weeks when I was still not gaining any weight due to severe HG, I decided to smoke 2 bowls. I don't smoke ciggarettes...I don't drink....and I don't even smoke pot anymore...I am now 37 weeks pregnant....and I haven't smoked any since the one time I did at 20 weeks...

I was just asking if everyone thought my baby would be able to pass the blood test by the time I have her....I believe she will because I didn't smoke much at all....and I hadn't smoked in the beginning and I stopped when I did at 20 weeks...but I tried for years to have this baby and I don't want anything to go wrong...so I was just seeing if anyone had any experience on this topic and if anyone could let me know what their thoughts were and if they thought my baby would test negative by delivery in 3 weeks.

[masonsmomma5708]

Hi I would think you'd be fine.  I'm no expert on pot but isn't it 30 days for it to get out of your system?  I've know people who've passed drug tests for jobs and they smoked it a week earlier.  I doubt the amount that you had in your system was near the same amount that was in your babies.  Conrats on being so close to holding your precious angel!

[ckane2]

yes, that is what i thought as well! I just had been trying for this baby for so long, that it would be awful for something to happen. And yes, I know I shouldn't have done it, I realize that...but I haven't done it since, and I regret it everyday..So I don't need the negative feedback..I just want to make sure I will bea able to bring my baby home from the hospital with no problems...and to make sure she will test negative if they were to blood test her...I think she would, but I had heard someone else say that it takes longer for THC to clear out of the baby's system than it does the mother's, which is why I have been worried. But I thinkkkk 20 weeks should be enough time

[awalone]

ok
so i smoked all the way thru my preg till i reached 24 weeks and my baby tested positive.. i had to deal with the welfare and alot of **** i also had to do random drug testing. they can take the baby away if you dont stop once the baby is born. i know it is hard. but after the bs was over i went back to smoking and then 6 yrs latter and i am prego again. i found out and i stopped right away. there is nothing in the world worth the hell i went thru with the welfare department. im not saying this will happen to you but you should not gamble it. i understand the morning sickness and i also know that the doctors can give you something for this.
you will be able to bring her home. they will just be on you for awhile. just dont do it again and i think you will be alright. but girl let me tell you. if she does test postive that is a mistake you will never make again should you gt prego again.

im not trying to scare you but i dont want to snow blow you either. its not a good thing

[sprarah]

I am a registered nurse and have worked in labor and delivery for a short time (decided I couldnt deal with the still births or drug addicted babies....it broke my heart) But here is the truth.....they do not do blood test to test for blood in babies they check the first stool the baby passes. Any drug done throughout pregnancy will show up no matter how early in the pregnancy. Most women on medicaid that deliver a baby will automatically be tested....thats the government for you. For other women the baby will only be tested if the mother is suspected to be on drugs or if the baby is born with withdrawal symptoms or a defect. As far as its effects on the baby I am sure the baby will be fine. There have been no studies done that marijauana has any negative affects on a baby. However if the baby tests positive your will have problems with protective services. So definately make sure you will test negative when you deliver. I strongly reccoment not smoking any more. Hope this helps and good luck with the new baby!!

[annaleesmom]

I have read that there is no scientific evidence that links thc with harm to fetus.  I think it may cause low birthweight.  However, I wouldn't take any chances when it comes to the baby.  I don't think they test newborns unless there is a suspected reason to.

attn all ladies....  Lets try to be supportive and not judge.  This woman came with a question.  Lets offer the best advise without yelling.  What is common knowledge to some may not be common knowledge to others.

[ckane2]

Hmm yeah, I understand. I didn't smoke at all when I first found out I was pregnant. The ONLY time I smoked was around 20 weeks, and it was only a little bit. maybe a total of 2 joints. I have tried researching it...and I have seen that most people say the baby should not test positive by then...I know many women that smoked right up until 2 months before delivery, and they went right home with their babies...and DSS wasn't even involved at all...

I think I should be okay....but I just want to make sure I get to go home with my baby. I have not smoked past that...I think some of the people posting are a little confused....I didn't smoke AT ALL in the beginning of my pregnany...and I only smoked the one time at 20 weeks, and then I immediately panicked and realized something could go wrong, so I have not smoked AT ALL since then...I think the baby should be okay...

As for the woman who posted about the meconium...I have also read that that should be fine as well because the meconium doesn't start producing until somewhere around 24-26 weeks I believe? The hospital here BLOOD tests the babies...therefore I was just trying to figure out if her BLOOD would test positive. I don't think it will, But it's hard to find anything on this subject...it says the mother should not test positive, but it doesn't say much about the baby.

I am just so panicked, I want this baby more than anything, and I don't want to come home empty handed when I just smoked one time in my pregnancy, I can safely say I will never smoke again...it's not worth it...

[ckane2]

**Update** I have actually found information online from other women that have gone through this...because of the amount that I smoked, my baby should test negative on a blood test....I also hadn't smoked before that, and so only the one time use at 20 weeks...everything should be fine. I now am resting a bit more at ease seeing that. One woman said she smoked up until 30 weeks here and there, they drug tested both her and the baby, and her baby was negative with no problems.

I have been beating myself up about it since the day I smoked and I just pray that I get to bring my baby girl home from the hospital :) thanks for everyones help, and like i said, if anyone else has any experience on this...feel free to post...but if you are going to post to be hateful or tell me that I am a horrible person, then please just moveon. I already know I made a mistake and that is why I didn't do it again after that, thankkks!

[sprarah]

It may be true the blood test will be negative but like I said before most hospitals dont test the blood usually they test the meconium and it will come up positive. I have seen it happen many times. Not sure what research your doing but it is inaccurate. My sister quit smoking the day she found out she was pregnant....she was 8 weeks...the baby tested positive at birth. The baby will be fine I am sure of it. Even if the baby tests positive as long as you test negative there shouldnt be a problem. Besides they shouldnt be testing for drugs unless they have a reason to or if you are on government assistance. Try not to stress about it....to much stress isnt good. You'll be holding your beautiful baby soon enough. Best of wishes.

[sprarah]

Did a little more research for you to ease your mind further.... meconium begins formation at 12-16 weeks. The reason the meconium test may come out positive if marijuana is smoked before that is because it is excreted in the baby's urine which is mostly what amniotic fluid is and the baby ingests this fluid and it may pass into the meconium. For this reason it is usually a very small amount they will find and they usually do not report it because they will know the drug was only used in the first trimester. Any time after 12-16 weeks the amount detected will be greater depending on how much you smoked. You smoked a very small amount so there would only be a small amount in the meconium. My sister didnt have any problems the social worker did come and talk to her and they ran a drug test on her that came back negative and nothing was done. She went home with my perfectly healthy nephew. If they only test the blood your in luck because it will only show up in the babys blood as long as it is in your blood.....30 days or less. The babys blood will only detect drugs done within the last 30 days of pregnancy depending on the drug (ex: cocaine only shows up in the blood for 3 days). So see your perfectly fine.

[GRose]

Unless the hospital or dr. has a reason to test (suspected drug use) it isn't standard procedure.

[ckane2]

Well actually...a part of the reason I have been a bit worried...is because my mom is the head of the nursery at the hospital I am delivering at...Therefore...I know how they do the drug testing on the babies. They do a BLOOD test on all of the babies no matter what....so my research is not inaccurate at all. I have first hand knowledge seeing as my mother works IN the nursery. Which is part of the reason I was worried because if anything was to show up, it would make my mother look horrible...not to mention it was only a one time thing and I have beaten myself up over it ever since. YES they do test the meconium on certain babies...but that is only if they have reason to, like you said. They don't have reason to test my baby's so I should be fine. Which is why I was asking about the blood test...because I do know that it is standard procedure to do blood tests.

Anyways, Thank you so much ladies for all your help! I should have my beautiful baby girl here within the next 2-3 weeks...and I will definitely come back and let you know how everything works out...Im sure I will be fine, as will my baby.

[martikadragoon]

Depending on how frequent the person uses, for a single use weed takes from 4-10 days to show negative in a blood test, if the person smokes repeately then it doubles the halflife of weed.

Eventually it will max out at about 42 days from what I've read, meaning it would take about 42 days at most after you last smoke to get a negative test. This is just going off stuff I've read but I am no doctor.

sprarah is right, even if baby tests positive (muconium (sp?) )  they will talk to you and retest you and baby with blood tests and as long as it's negative you'll both be fine.

[ckane2]

thank you guys so much. I just didn't want to not be able to bring my baby home due to ONE time of use. I just didn't know what to do and I had heard from so many women that there are actually no known affects on the fetus from marijuana use during pregnancy, and the severe HG made it so I couldn't do anything...I couldn't even get out of bed. I was barely a weed smoker even before I got pregnant. But at 20 weeks I just didn't know what else to do so I said **** it...I will smoke ONE joint. I have seen so many women smoke throughout their entire pregnancy and all have beautiful healthy babies, so I figured one time wouldn't hurt..

But, I am also the paranoid type, so as SOON as I smoked it, I felt absolutely down right horrible about it. I have also heard that even if it was to test positive (which I know the blood test won't be positive), that I would STILL probably be able to bring baby home because I have no prior history with DSS. This is my first baby. But I think Iam honestly just stressing out about it wayyyy too much. I'm almost positive I will be able to bring my baby home, and now that I know the blood tests will come back negative I have even more help! thank you so much for all your advice...and women, feel free to keep posting ifyou have had a similiar situation..I love seeing what everyone has to say about it...

I am now 37 weeks as of this last friday...I don't have too m uch longer to go! I am 1 centimeter dilated (which isn't much...but hey, it's progress!) so I think the closer I get to labor, the more i started to panic about whether or not I would be able to bring my daughter home...now i have a peace of mind :) !