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Outrage as hospitals test pregnant moms for drugs near low-income neighborhoods
Expecting moms in New York are being drug tested in hospitals near low income neighborhoods. But pregnancy advocates are calling the practice racist and discriminatory.
“You cannot tell from a drug test if someone is fit to parent,” said Lynn Paltrow of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women.
More than a dozen pregnancy wards across the city administer a marijuana test, without the mother’s consent. According to the Daily News, the number of tests given to pregnant women varies from hospital to hospital. St. Barnabas Hospital in the South Bronx requires all mothers to agree to testing. If they refuse, the babies are tested.
But Lenox Hill Hospital on the ritzy Upper East Side only tests if a mother is clearly under the influence.
If a mother fails the pot test, the results are sent to child-protection services. In one case, a Bronx mother smoked a joint at a party during her pregnancy and failed. The Administration for Child Services ordered her to ‘Mommy Probation’ until they agency dropped the case earlier this year.
Hospitals that do random drug testing say their first priority is the child’s health. An argument Paltrow does not support. She says scientists believe marijuana poses less risk to the fetus than alcohol or cigarettes. Yet turning over results to the government can destroy a family.
“Low income families expect privacy. Yet, they have less of a guarantee than job applicants do,” said Paltrow.
We reached out to the ACS to see how many neglect cases stem from failed pregnancy ward drug tests. The agency did not have an accurate number.
SOURCE: http://pix11.com/2012/12/26/pregnant-women-in-low-income-areas-more-likely-to-be-drug-tested/?hpt=us_bn7
“You cannot tell from a drug test if someone is fit to parent,” said Lynn Paltrow of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women.
More than a dozen pregnancy wards across the city administer a marijuana test, without the mother’s consent. According to the Daily News, the number of tests given to pregnant women varies from hospital to hospital. St. Barnabas Hospital in the South Bronx requires all mothers to agree to testing. If they refuse, the babies are tested.
But Lenox Hill Hospital on the ritzy Upper East Side only tests if a mother is clearly under the influence.
If a mother fails the pot test, the results are sent to child-protection services. In one case, a Bronx mother smoked a joint at a party during her pregnancy and failed. The Administration for Child Services ordered her to ‘Mommy Probation’ until they agency dropped the case earlier this year.
Hospitals that do random drug testing say their first priority is the child’s health. An argument Paltrow does not support. She says scientists believe marijuana poses less risk to the fetus than alcohol or cigarettes. Yet turning over results to the government can destroy a family.
“Low income families expect privacy. Yet, they have less of a guarantee than job applicants do,” said Paltrow.
We reached out to the ACS to see how many neglect cases stem from failed pregnancy ward drug tests. The agency did not have an accurate number.
SOURCE: http://pix11.com/2012/12/26/pregnant-women-in-low-income-areas-more-likely-to-be-drug-tested/?hpt=us_bn7
but if they're going to do testing it should be across the board and not just in poor or non-white neighborhoods.
And there in lies the problem. We know for absolute certain that a women who seeks care in our clinic is always always red flagged for testing at delivery. It seems that no matter that we KNOW that addiction crosses all socio economic lines (and in fairly equal numbers I might add), those who are low income, on welfare, etc. seem to be targeted. They are also significantly more likely to have a full scale investigation done should there be a complaint over their wealthier conterparts. And that is where I have an issue. I would be ok if everyone was tested (although again, it would make more sense to me to be tested early in pregnancy before the harm is really done) or if there is an indicator. But financial resources are not an indicator of addiction, and I don't know why the authorities so often think that is the case. Research study after study proves that not to be the case. It confounds me.
Nursegirl, I wish we knew why some can give it up and others cannot. Just as some can have a few drinks and walk away and others can't stop once they've started. Some people just are more prone to addiction.
Some interesting new research into addiction (I'll see if I can find a link or copy of the study) that our head OB nurse told me. DNA testing has turned up a link to FASD. So, two women can drink the same amount of alcohol at the same time during their pregnancy and one have an FASD baby and the other not. So it seems there is a genetic component to all this. Some believe that this also will prove their is a genetic link to addiction. Not sure how exactly as I am no scientist, but it is interesting stuff. I know some believe addiction to be a genetic disease (that is my pesonal belief) and others believe it has more to do with lifestyle choices, etc. It would be nice to have evidence proving this one way or the other - maybe we could actually begin working to solving the problem as it does destroy lives. No question there.
And there in lies the problem. We know for absolute certain that a women who seeks care in our clinic is always always red flagged for testing at delivery. It seems that no matter that we KNOW that addiction crosses all socio economic lines (and in fairly equal numbers I might add), those who are low income, on welfare, etc. seem to be targeted. They are also significantly more likely to have a full scale investigation done should there be a complaint over their wealthier conterparts. And that is where I have an issue. I would be ok if everyone was tested (although again, it would make more sense to me to be tested early in pregnancy before the harm is really done) or if there is an indicator. But financial resources are not an indicator of addiction, and I don't know why the authorities so often think that is the case. Research study after study proves that not to be the case. It confounds me.
Nursegirl, I wish we knew why some can give it up and others cannot. Just as some can have a few drinks and walk away and others can't stop once they've started. Some people just are more prone to addiction.
Some interesting new research into addiction (I'll see if I can find a link or copy of the study) that our head OB nurse told me. DNA testing has turned up a link to FASD. So, two women can drink the same amount of alcohol at the same time during their pregnancy and one have an FASD baby and the other not. So it seems there is a genetic component to all this. Some believe that this also will prove their is a genetic link to addiction. Not sure how exactly as I am no scientist, but it is interesting stuff. I know some believe addiction to be a genetic disease (that is my pesonal belief) and others believe it has more to do with lifestyle choices, etc. It would be nice to have evidence proving this one way or the other - maybe we could actually begin working to solving the problem as it does destroy lives. No question there.
I am so glad I had a home birth !
Not that these issues were even mentioned back in the good old days.
I smoked a little pot for my morning sickness. Just a puff and not for long. I think it's better than a lot of the chemical pharmaceutical drugs they give women.
My kids had no birth defects, no problems.
I don't like the idea of any mandatory testing for anything, but if they're going to do testing it should be across the board and not just in poor or non-white neighborhoods.
Not that these issues were even mentioned back in the good old days.
I smoked a little pot for my morning sickness. Just a puff and not for long. I think it's better than a lot of the chemical pharmaceutical drugs they give women.
My kids had no birth defects, no problems.
I don't like the idea of any mandatory testing for anything, but if they're going to do testing it should be across the board and not just in poor or non-white neighborhoods.
Good idea, Amanda. Absolutely.
It IS very sad. I have had several people close to me VERY deeply tangled in addiction...GOOD people, people with a lot to lose, smart people, caring people. It's amazing what an addict will sacrifice, and the lines they will cross in the name of addiction. Certainly, exposing an unborn child to dangerous or addictive drugs is on top of that list (IMO anyway).
I DO have a lot of compassion...but at the same time, it's HARD not to scratch my head. While it's hardly a comparison, I quit smoking during my pregnancies. It wasn't easy...but it was a no brainer for me. It just wasn't an option. I'm not using that example as a judgement...but why can some do it and not others? Million dollar question I suppose. I also always drank my 2 "doctor approved" cups of regular coffee a day...I knew people who thought that was terrible. It's all relative.
I just wish these women would try to really reach out for help more. I know the fear of being in trouble, or losing their child is a big deterrant. That's why your idea is a good one.
Very very sad for all involved.
It IS very sad. I have had several people close to me VERY deeply tangled in addiction...GOOD people, people with a lot to lose, smart people, caring people. It's amazing what an addict will sacrifice, and the lines they will cross in the name of addiction. Certainly, exposing an unborn child to dangerous or addictive drugs is on top of that list (IMO anyway).
I DO have a lot of compassion...but at the same time, it's HARD not to scratch my head. While it's hardly a comparison, I quit smoking during my pregnancies. It wasn't easy...but it was a no brainer for me. It just wasn't an option. I'm not using that example as a judgement...but why can some do it and not others? Million dollar question I suppose. I also always drank my 2 "doctor approved" cups of regular coffee a day...I knew people who thought that was terrible. It's all relative.
I just wish these women would try to really reach out for help more. I know the fear of being in trouble, or losing their child is a big deterrant. That's why your idea is a good one.
Very very sad for all involved.
I would even take it a step further and say test early in the pregnancy. And my preference would be to offer treatment. I think more women would come forward for help if not so terrified of the authorities. For me, this is yet another reason to decriminalize drug usage. Again, not to encourage use, but to remove fear of admitting usage if help is desired. I can't help but think this might go a long way in helping to solve the drug abuse issue. Just basing this on women I talk to and what they tell me. It's so sad.
My daughter in law, went to the clinic to get meth while pregnant. Said withdrawal would harm the baby more than the meth would.
That's true...w/d can definitely be very risky. Someone obviously on maintenence methadone or subutex would be on it through a doctor, with the OB aware of the medication. In those cases, usually no action is taken, along the lines of CYS that is.
Education is definitely important...if a pregnant woman has a drug problem, the very best thing she could do is be honest and upfront with her OB...so they can determine the best course of action. Obviously, if a woman tests + at the time of delivery, and the OB has NO knowledge of the abuse, then the woman was not honest...therefore measures would have to be taken to protect the baby by investigating further.
In the SA forum, when pregnant women post a question, the advice is always to contact their OB ASAP, but NOT to stop taking the drugs (in respect to opiates).
I still think an accross the board, universal drug test at delivery for all women/babies would be an awesome idea. Not only would children be better protected, but maybe more women could get help.
That's true...w/d can definitely be very risky. Someone obviously on maintenence methadone or subutex would be on it through a doctor, with the OB aware of the medication. In those cases, usually no action is taken, along the lines of CYS that is.
Education is definitely important...if a pregnant woman has a drug problem, the very best thing she could do is be honest and upfront with her OB...so they can determine the best course of action. Obviously, if a woman tests + at the time of delivery, and the OB has NO knowledge of the abuse, then the woman was not honest...therefore measures would have to be taken to protect the baby by investigating further.
In the SA forum, when pregnant women post a question, the advice is always to contact their OB ASAP, but NOT to stop taking the drugs (in respect to opiates).
I still think an accross the board, universal drug test at delivery for all women/babies would be an awesome idea. Not only would children be better protected, but maybe more women could get help.
It should be a mandatory test for ALL women..Not just lower income.....
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