Hospitals gave patients meds during childbirth, then reported them for drug use

In recent investigations, it has been revealed that hospitals across the U.S. are reporting women to child welfare authorities after they test positive for drugs that were administered during childbirth. Medications such as morphine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines, routinely given for pain relief or anxiety management, have led to positive drug tests in newborns and mothers. This practice has raised concerns about the criminalization of pregnant women, particularly in the wake of increased surveillance since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Cases like that of Amairani Salinas, who was reported after receiving midazolam during an emergency cesarean, and Victoria Villanueva, who tested positive for morphine given during labor, illustrate the distressing consequences of these policies. Many hospitals lack adequate protocols to review patient medication histories before making reports, leading to wrongful accusations and the potential removal of children from their parents. Experts argue that the current system is flawed, with many healthcare providers lacking the necessary training to interpret drug tests accurately. The situation highlights the urgent need for policy reform to protect birthing individuals from undue scrutiny and to ensure that medical practices do not inadvertently harm families.

- Hospitals report women to child welfare after positive drug tests from medications administered during childbirth.

- Medications like morphine and benzodiazepines, commonly used for pain relief, often trigger these positive results.

- Increased surveillance of pregnant women has led to fears of criminalization and wrongful accusations.

- Many hospitals lack protocols to review medication histories before reporting, resulting in potential harm to families.

- Experts call for policy reforms to protect birthing individuals and improve medical practices regarding drug testing.