I am pregnant and getting ready to give birth, will CPS be involved if I am smoking marijuana?
If you are pregnant and getting ready to give birth or have just given birth and you have smoked marijuana in these recent days, then likely yes, Child Protective Services (CPS) will become involved. This is dependent of which county you are in and which hospital, but most hospitals report any and all drug use, including marijuana.
Child Protective Services (CPS) is a governmental agency tasked with ensuring the safety of children. CPS becomes involved with children and families when they are referred by the DFPS Investigations division or another agency (like the hospital where you give birth). CPS investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect to include drug use while pregnant.
Upon receipt of a call from a health-care provider involved in delivery or care of infants reporting an infant born and affected by substance exposure, CPS will be contacted for assessment. CPS involvement could mean involuntary termination of your parental rights – which means they could take your child away and place them with the state, in foster care.
What happens if I take drugs during my pregnancy?
When CPS intervenes and removes a child from the home, his/her parents are usually allowed to complete a reunification plan to regain custody of their children before their parental rights are terminated. However, if the parent is unable to complete the reunification plan, their rights may be terminated so their child can be adopted by new parents. This means that the biological parents have essentially no say in foster care adoptions.
On the other hand, when you choose to place a child for adoption, this is a private adoption. With your consent, Adoption Choices of Texas will be involved, and you will have more say over the process – nearly full control! You will choose the adoptive family, the level of communication, and the opportunity to have a future relationship with them and your child.
If I am smoking marijuana, can I make an adoption plan?
If this is a likely situation and CPS is negatively involved in your life, creating an adoption plan might be an option. Choosing adoption for your newborn allows you to have control over the adoption process. Unlike when CPS is involved in placing children in foster care, this is your decision. You make the adoption plan!
Smoking Marijuana While Pregnant
It is illegal to take marijuana during pregnancy?
If you’d like to talk to me about your situation, I’m here for you! Please text or call Jennifer at 945-444-0333
