Hospitals report new mothers to child welfare over drug tests positive from labor medications, leading to investigations and child removals.

Hospitals across the U.S. are administering medications like fentanyl and morphine to laboring women, but later reporting them to child welfare authorities when drug tests show positive results, often due to these same medications. This has led to police calls, child welfare investigations, and even child removals. Despite warnings that these tests can't confirm drug abuse, many hospitals lack policies to review patient medication records before reporting, leaving new mothers vulnerable to unwarranted scrutiny and consequences.

3 months ago
10 Articles

Further Reading