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[quote=Anonymous]Good morning!  So.  I'm freaking out.

I am an elementary school teacher in the DMV.  Six years ago, when I was pregnant with my son, I developed debilitating migraines.  My neurologist and MFM and ob gyn consulted no fewer than 10 times, as they tried all sorts of different medications.  I literally was blinded and unable to walk.  Finally the mfm suggested a medication that included a narcotic in it.  The neurologist approved as did the OB, and the perinatologist was the one who suggested it.  I took it, they were gone.  So it was prescribed for the remainder of my pregnancy.  I took it very very very sparingly.  I am a really boring person, haha, like I don't drink and have never smoked anything.  I've never done any illegal drugs whatsoever.  SO.  Flash forward-

Go into labor early.  Go to the hospital.  Give them the bottle of medicine, along with the bottles of my thyroid medicine and vitamins.  They noted what I was prescribed.  I peed in a cup when I changed into the robe.  They come examine. He is breech, and they order an emergency c section.  and we went and he was born.  All was good.  Went back to our room, and was informed that because that narcotic had shown up in my urine, CPS had been notified and would be there shortly.   My MFM was there, and said that he had prescribed it and was aware, approved of it, it is not contraindicated for pregnancy, on and on.  It was not even thought to pass through the placenta.  Sure enough, she was negative for it in her system.  Nope, the nurse said she is a mandatory reporter and had already called.  CPS showed up, and demanded my husband take them for a home visit at that moment.  They made him go pick up our other son from his grandparents and meet at our house so they could interview him.  He was one.  He didn't talk.  She still asked him all sorts of horrifying questions.  She inspected our home, wandering slowly and checking outlets, closets...

So.  She was entirely nasty to us.  I was so sad and shaken - I just bawled for weeks.  She kept doing surprise pop in visits and would frequently say things like "well, if you didn't CHOOSE to do drugs when you were pregnant, this wouldn't be happening" and talk about how anything that ever went wrong with my baby would be my fault.  She demanded that we take the baby to the pediatrician every morning for 3 weeks after being released from the hospital to make sure he wasn't in withdrawal.  Which he never was, because it was never in his system.  The pediatrician was so kind and sympathetic, but.  We still had to go.  The CPS worker would make snide comments about how 'If I take your kids away, hope we can keep them together!'  I tried to file a complaint or get a different worker, but was told no.

She gradually showed up less and less, and about a month and a half later my spouse and I each got a letter in the mail saying that the case was closed and had been ruled "unsubstantiated."  What a relief.

I had absolutely terrifying, debilitating depression and anxiety after this.  My therapist diagnosed me with PTSD.

I am finally doing SO much better.  And.... just found out I'm pregnant again.  I am TERRIFIED of this happening again.  I will not touch any medication even if I'm dying this time, since the perinatologist who approved it being in the room wasn't enough for the hospital, so what will be?  ..... But.  Someone mentioned once that if you have a CPS report done on you in L&D, you are automatically flagged in that state to always show up as a red flag if you come back to give birth again.  Is this true?

Should I try to give birth in a different state?  Or at least a different hospital from where I went last time?

I was never explained this and literally didn't know it until today - but apparently 'unsubstantiated' doesn't mean we were cleared.

Their website says "At the completion of every CPS investigative response, a determination is made as to whether the reported abuse or neglect is “indicated” or “unsubstantiated” or “ruled out”. [b]Anyone believed responsible for an “indicated” or unsubstantiated” finding of child abuse or neglect is entered into a central confidential state database that includes the names of all individuals who have been named as responsible in an indicted or unsubstantiated finding [/b]as well as a person in an unsubstantiated finding who, while not named as a person responsible, is associated with the finding. These individuals are eligible to seek an appeal of the finding."

What?!?  So I am in confidential database?? What does this mean?  I was still able to get a teaching job, in the public school in the same town as the hospital...

I'm terrified now :( [/quote]

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