The Sinister Side of Drug Testing in Pregnancy

Drug testing of pregnant people, during pregnancy or at birth, is examined as a practice with uneven effects. The video argues that testing affects BIPOC and lower-income people far more than wealthier white people. It notes that positive results can stem from legal substances used in other states or from hospital medications, and describes cases where a report to child protective services led to a baby being separated from a parent. The discussion covers false positives, implicit bias in testing, treatment of substance use, and possible ways to improve the system. The creator, Mama Doctor Jones, shares personal experience from Texas and answers questions. Linked sources include studies, news reports and a Do No Harm podcast episode.

• Racial and socioeconomic disparities in prenatal and birth drug testing
• False positives from legal substances and hospital medications
• Child protective services reports and family separation
• Treatment of substance use and ways to do better

Drug testing pregnant people during pregnancy or at birth is…complicated, and my feelings on it are complicated. But what’s NOT complicated is the ways in which drug testing affects BIPOC people and lower socioeconomic status people a whole lot more than it does wealthier white people. A positive drug test could be due to partaking legally in other states or even from medications given to the pregnant person while they’re in the hospital, but I’ve seen cases where this happens, CPS is called, and the baby is separated from its parent. The fact that his happens at all, let alone frequently across the US, is a travesty. Let’s talk about why and how we can do better. 00:00 - Intro 00:17 - Background [TX Experience] 2:13 - Calling CPS 2:49 - False Positives 5:17 - Implicit Bias in Testing 8:37 - Separating Babies/Parents 10:06 - More Resources 10:36 - Treating Substance Abuse 13:16 - Q&A 16:01 - Do No Harm Podcast Resources: Scientific Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859171/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37769307/, Axios: https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/study-bias-drug-testing-pregnant-patients Texas Medical Association: https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=54015 ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/article/how-some-alabama-hospitals-drug-test-new-mothers-without-their-consent Alabama story: https://www.al.com/news/2020/02/false-positive-shines-light-on-alabama-hospital-drug-testing-policies.html Killing the Black Body: https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Black-Body-Reproduction-Meaning/dp/0679758690 Crack Babies Ep. of You’re Wrong About: https://youtu.be/C4zT351MvMI?si=cPSXFtPxw4sT4RYV Do No Harm Podcast: https://wondery.com/shows/do-no-harm/ Watch next: Making a Global Impact on Maternal Mortality: https://youtu.be/hJFTkY50YVk?si=_FLi4HeE-f5rp8CL The Shocking Story of Octomom’s CORRUPT Fertility Doctor: https://youtu.be/CkKo7QQoDXc?si=qpY3TapazNnjUp6p The Hormone Balancing Hoax: https://youtu.be/LJUxL5uytW4?si=Q68ZTFjEpLi7UMXb Become a channel Membryo to connect & access perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPhcbDwqWRc-3tteE2BS6g/join MDJ Secret Second Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkrMPc856DvoxX99IyGYmw I stream on Twitch weekly (usually Sundays): https://www.twitch.tv/mamadoctorjones - Playlist of full-length Twitch streams for channel membryos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVH2Gpf8wKeRO7TL3vfzJkfsF9eHmQGkP FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamadoctorjones Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mamadoctorjones TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamadoctorjones ** The information in this video is intended to serve as educational information and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/advanced practice provider. ** ++++