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Avatar universal

drug testing

I want to start by saying...no I dont do drugs or drink.

I just keep seeing posts that say they drug test mothers and babies at birth. I never saw any paperwork or lab results with my first nor was it ever mentioned. Is this a secret thing they do or random maybe? I would think you would have to sign some kinda papers? I mean i dont care if they test me and baby or not...we're clean...but i just never really even thought about it. I would think if they suspected the baby having withdraws in the first 24hrs. Is it maybe a hospital specific or region specific thing?
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2165247 tn?1349299523
I have a neighbor who smoked marijuana, cigarettes, and drank alcohol through her whole pregnancy with both of her children and they never drug screened her obviously because she has both of her children and she has a history of drug use.
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
Like FactoryMomma said, depends on what means they have, urine, blood, stool, my son just happened to have a BM before I got back to my recovery room and I didn't get to change his first diaper, sadly! :(
Helpful - 0
1926656 tn?1334970201
Um ok the censored word was A.SSES as in figure out not as in multiple bootys
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Avatar universal
My daughter never left my side and they never asked for a stool sample...the one and only time she lwft the room was to go two doors down for a bath...but my hubby went and he gave her the bath while the lady watched. My mom video taped it. They pricked her heel for the bilirubin test...maybe they checked her blood??
Helpful - 0
1926656 tn?1334970201
When I worked at a hospital as a patient care tech (nurses aide) we never told our adult patients that the doctor ordered a urine drug screen.  We just always were instructed to say,"the doctor has ordered a more sensitive urine test to rule out anything extra going on on your system".  We weren't lying, but never told the blatant truth.  If they asked flat out what it looked for we were supposed to get the nurse to explain why we were drug testing them.
So no.  as soon as you sign the papers saying,"i allow the doctors and medical professionals to  run any medical tests necessary to *****, diagnose, and treat me" any non-invasive test is free game.  Blood draws are considered non-invasive also.
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2020005 tn?1628125976
I wasn't on state insurance when my son was drug screened, but I do live in the US, so maybe there's a difference, I also have no history of drugs, at all, and I got tested multiple times (everyone does) through my urine samples throughout pregnancy.
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
I'm not sure how it works in the US, but I can tell you how it works in Canada.  Here they do not necessarily test every baby.  When a baby is born addicted, it will begin going through withdrawals.  Symptoms of withdrawals will prompt a test.  Also, if there is a known history of drug use with mom, or Child Services involvement with past children for this reason.  They do not require your permission, but typically will let you know.  I can also tell you that if mom is using drugs, it's pretty likely it's going to come out.  It is always always in babies (and mom's) best interest to talk to her OB and be honest about it.   They do not necessarily remove babies from their moms for drug use, it's just one part of several factors that go into making that decision.  Hope that helps answer your question.
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Avatar universal
Oooooh...so if you have health insurance thru the state...well that makes a little more sense...
Helpful - 0
2020005 tn?1628125976
Most every hospital does it, and you don't have to sign any consent, here, they will test the baby's BM, and they did it in private for my son, my doctor is very honest with me and told me AFTER they did it that they did it and everything was good, but I don't think they usually tell you that, unless they have to, haha!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you're on Medicaid they do test for it since its state paid. It's a mandatory part I believe.

I was given an std test without being asked. I was told, "they just did your std test and if something shows up they will call. If not then that means you're clean."

I'm assuming they will test my babys blood for drugs. I dont know for sure but I'm clean, always have been so its all good!
Helpful - 0
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