Recently, my experience became the subject of a local news story that gained national attention: “Poppy Seed Bagel Behind Woman’s Ordeal at Towson Hospital.” As the headline suggests, I tested positive for opiates while in labor with my second child. I appreciate the coverage, but several important aspects of my story were omitted in the brief two-and-a-half-minute report.
To clarify, I only consumed half of an everything bagel—half—with strawberry cream cheese, though the flavor is not the crux of the matter. That morning, I was focused on finding a quick breakfast that my sensitive stomach could tolerate after nine months of pregnancy challenges. I had my three-year-old to entertain, a 40-week appointment with my midwife to prepare for, and an air conditioning repair crew to accommodate. My mind was also occupied with picking up groceries like orange juice and character-themed Band-Aids from the Trolls movie.
At no point was I considering a drug test or the possibility of a false positive from poppy seeds. In fact, it was perplexing to discover that my initial test revealed a morphine level of 30 ng/mL, while the hospital’s stated threshold for a positive result was 300 ng/mL. Many employers set their thresholds even higher, at 2,000 ng/mL, and the military sets theirs at 3,000 ng/mL. These thresholds are designed to prevent false positives.
But from my understanding of the unmarked chart presented by the hospital’s OBGYN head, any trace of morphine was treated as a positive result. Dr. Judith Rossiter-Pratt explained that while identifying true positives is essential, the hospital’s effective threshold seemed to be zero. This cautious approach, while well-intentioned, led to a deeply distressing experience for me, a collateral damage of the ongoing opioid crisis.
The hospital’s response has been dismissive and condescending. I worry that this could happen to another new mother. Dr. Rossiter-Pratt acknowledged, “We don’t typically educate patients, and it’s a really good point that people probably should know that if you use poppy seeds before you have a toxicology screen, it could result in a false positive test.” Since going public with my story, I’ve connected with numerous mothers who have encountered similar false positives. While I understand the need for vigilance in our current drug epidemic, better education for expectant mothers could alleviate much unnecessary stress.
However, the responsibility shouldn’t rest solely on mothers. Before this ordeal, I wouldn’t have questioned the hospital’s testing protocols. I had faith in the system, and even after my experience, I assumed it was an anomaly. Yet, if the stories I’ve heard are representative, many mothers are facing undue anxiety during a critical time. A healthy and happy mom is vital for a healthy baby, and it’s time for hospitals to improve their practices.
What’s the Real Issue Here?
Beyond being placed on a mandatory five-day hold, I was separated from my three-year-old for a week. I endured one of the most challenging nights of my life in the pediatric ward, caring for my four-day-old daughter while recovering from a C-section. I felt isolated, as only one parent was allowed to stay overnight. My feet were swollen with edema, and I was struggling emotionally. Compounding the stress was an investigation by Child Protective Services and the looming threat of losing my baby.
How could I trust a system that deemed me a potential drug addict based on a flawed test? Now, I have a closed case file that I will need to seek legal counsel to expunge. All of this seemed an enormous price to pay for half of an everything bagel with strawberry cream cheese.
If you’re interested in learning more about at-home insemination options, you can check out this article on home insemination kits. It’s an excellent resource, alongside this blog on pregnancy and home insemination which offers valuable insights. Also, if you’re on a journey of starting a family, consider this at-home insemination kit for your needs.
In summary, my experience with the poppy seed bagel has highlighted the dire need for better communication and education in hospitals regarding drug testing, especially for new mothers. We must ensure that the focus remains on the well-being of both mother and child, free from unnecessary stress and misjudgments.
Leave a Reply