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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
It is actually often considered extremely harmful to withdraw during pregnacy. I could share all kinds of horror stories about it, particularly when women do it on their own.
Any attempt to withdraw during pregnancy should only EVER be done under medical supervision. And methadone is often used during pregnancy and is considered the lesser of two evils. I mentioned that our agency has a Women's Health Clinic. This is staffed by OB's and OB nurses and while we cater to all low income women, it's primarily a supportive, non judgemental clinic for pregnant low income women. However, we do all the methadone in our city for pregnant women, regardless of income level. And there are a lot of them. There are actually very few treatment clinics that will withdraw pregnant women as it's quite tricky.
Any attempt to withdraw during pregnancy should only EVER be done under medical supervision. And methadone is often used during pregnancy and is considered the lesser of two evils. I mentioned that our agency has a Women's Health Clinic. This is staffed by OB's and OB nurses and while we cater to all low income women, it's primarily a supportive, non judgemental clinic for pregnant low income women. However, we do all the methadone in our city for pregnant women, regardless of income level. And there are a lot of them. There are actually very few treatment clinics that will withdraw pregnant women as it's quite tricky.
My daughter in law, went to the clinic to get meth while pregnant. Said withdrawal would harm the baby more than the meth would. So how contradictory is that compared to this article? In fact she did it with two pregnancies.
Smoking a joint is hardly the same as being on crack cocaine.
I agree, to a point. While the act itself may not be as harmful to the fetus, it shows lack of good judgement and blatant disregard for the safety of the fetus. A poitive result should initiate an investigation. Investigations can yield many different outcomes. I definitely feel strongly about there being a fair system in place that dooes TWO things in an investigation...ensures a child is not at risk, and works toward a universal goal of the child remaining at home. Removal from the home should not be taken lightly.
And I can tell you that removing a child from their parents should never be automatic.
I agree!
A child should have to be in danger of neglect or abuse and using drugs doesn't make that so.
I think the act of using drugs while pregnant is abusive, and warrants further investigation.
I tend to agree..though it must include the wealthy moms too
Totally agree...testing should be universal.
It IS somewehat hypocritical to go after women who abuse drugs, and not alcohol or tobacco. All of those substances can be harmful...because some are legal shouldn't make a difference. That's a shame. It's hard to draw those lines though, I suppose...as women are potentially going to make all kinds of poor decisions while pregnant that could harm her baby. You cannot police pregnant women.
I agree, to a point. While the act itself may not be as harmful to the fetus, it shows lack of good judgement and blatant disregard for the safety of the fetus. A poitive result should initiate an investigation. Investigations can yield many different outcomes. I definitely feel strongly about there being a fair system in place that dooes TWO things in an investigation...ensures a child is not at risk, and works toward a universal goal of the child remaining at home. Removal from the home should not be taken lightly.
And I can tell you that removing a child from their parents should never be automatic.
I agree!
A child should have to be in danger of neglect or abuse and using drugs doesn't make that so.
I think the act of using drugs while pregnant is abusive, and warrants further investigation.
I tend to agree..though it must include the wealthy moms too
Totally agree...testing should be universal.
It IS somewehat hypocritical to go after women who abuse drugs, and not alcohol or tobacco. All of those substances can be harmful...because some are legal shouldn't make a difference. That's a shame. It's hard to draw those lines though, I suppose...as women are potentially going to make all kinds of poor decisions while pregnant that could harm her baby. You cannot police pregnant women.
I should add though...my son was drug tested at birth. I wasn't asked for consent, but was informed. I have never used drugs (except tried pot about a gazillion years ago), so I wasn't worried, but it was a bit of a nervewracking experience. Just uncomfortable. But, they did it because he was low birth weight and they aren't sure what happened (my placenta stopped functioning). That is one of the things that can happen with drug use during pregnancy. I understood why they did it, but it was intimidating.
I couldn't agree with you more. Truth be told, although it's all horrible, babies born addicted to drugs (even drugs like crack, etc.) tend to do better long term then those born on the FASD Spectrum. FASD is brain damage, and it's forever. While there are intereventions that can be done, there is nothing that can repair the damage. Drug addicted babies have a better chance once properly withdrawn and under proper care.
As always though, I don't feel laws are the answer with issues like this. Increased level of education (you would be amazed at how many intelligent, middle and upper class women think it's perfectly fine to drink during pregnancy) and easier access to help are. Women who are addicted and find themselves pregnant often want to get help - the pregnancy can be a huge motivator - yet are absolutely terrified to seek it for fear of losing their child. So they will attemp to self wean, and that is downright dangerous in a pregnancy.
And unfortuantely (again, at least where I live), low income are far more likely to be both tested and have their children removed then the wealthy. It's just the way it is.
As always though, I don't feel laws are the answer with issues like this. Increased level of education (you would be amazed at how many intelligent, middle and upper class women think it's perfectly fine to drink during pregnancy) and easier access to help are. Women who are addicted and find themselves pregnant often want to get help - the pregnancy can be a huge motivator - yet are absolutely terrified to seek it for fear of losing their child. So they will attemp to self wean, and that is downright dangerous in a pregnancy.
And unfortuantely (again, at least where I live), low income are far more likely to be both tested and have their children removed then the wealthy. It's just the way it is.
And I can tell you that removing a child from their parents should never be automatic. A child should have to be in danger of neglect or abuse and using drugs doesn't make that so.
Glad to hear it..There are enough kids in foster care without adding more who could be from relatively good homes. Smoking a joint is hardly the same as being on crack cocaine.
Alcohol is legal but that fetus is drinking when mom drinks so it seems to me if they are going to be testing for drugs they ought to include alcohol and prescription drugs that are being misused.
Glad to hear it..There are enough kids in foster care without adding more who could be from relatively good homes. Smoking a joint is hardly the same as being on crack cocaine.
Alcohol is legal but that fetus is drinking when mom drinks so it seems to me if they are going to be testing for drugs they ought to include alcohol and prescription drugs that are being misused.
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