M36 Found out pregnant girlfriend F33 has been taking hydrocodone the entire pregnancy. Do I inform CPS?
Finding out your partner is pregnant should be a moment of joy — but what happens when that joy turns to horror after discovering they’ve been using prescription opioids throughout the entire pregnancy? One man, who fought his own battle with addiction and got clean, is now facing this nightmare.
His girlfriend admitted she continued hydrocodone to avoid withdrawal risks, skipping prenatal care beyond the first ultrasound. With the baby due soon and potential neonatal withdrawal looming, he’s torn between protecting the child and the guilt of reporting her. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
‘M36 Found out pregnant girlfriend F33 has been taking hydrocodone the entire pregnancy. Do I inform CPS?’
The background reveals shared addiction history and his successful recovery.
The discovery came through suspicion and evidence from phone records.
The update shows a small step toward treatment.
Opioid use during pregnancy carries serious risks, including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), low birth weight, preterm birth, and developmental issues. Abrupt withdrawal is dangerous and can cause miscarriage or fetal distress, so medical supervision (like Suboxone or methadone) is the standard approach for pregnant women with opioid use disorder.
The girlfriend’s choice to self-manage without prenatal care is extremely concerning — regular monitoring, ultrasounds, and specialized addiction treatment are essential to protect both mother and baby. Her recent move to seek Suboxone is positive, but it’s late in the pregnancy and must be consistent.
Child welfare expert Dr. Richard Barth has stated that “reporting prenatal substance use to CPS is not automatically punitive; in many jurisdictions, it triggers supportive interventions like treatment plans rather than immediate removal.” The goal is family preservation when parents engage in recovery.
The father’s instinct to protect the child is valid. Consulting a family law attorney first is wise — they can advise on paternity, custody options, and hospital reporting protocols. Hospitals routinely drug test newborns in high-risk cases, often leading to CPS involvement automatically. Being proactive (with legal guidance) allows him to demonstrate readiness to provide a safe environment.
Prioritize the baby’s safety. Support her treatment if possible, but prepare for sole custody if recovery falters. Recovery is possible, but the child’s well-being comes first.
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
The online community overwhelmingly urged the father to prioritize the baby’s safety, seek legal advice immediately, and prepare for possible CPS involvement at birth — with most agreeing he would not be the asshole for reporting or protecting the child.
Most readers focused on the medical risks to the baby and advised consulting professionals rather than acting alone:
Many strongly recommended getting a lawyer first and preparing for hospital/CPS involvement at birth:
A smaller group emphasized the urgency of choosing the baby’s safety over the relationship:
This situation is heartbreaking: opioid use during pregnancy puts the baby at serious risk of withdrawal, developmental issues, and long-term challenges. The girlfriend’s decision to self-manage without prenatal care was dangerous, even if motivated by fear of withdrawal.
The father’s instinct to protect the child is completely valid. Hospitals routinely test newborns in suspected cases, often leading to automatic CPS reports — being prepared with legal advice and proof of paternity can help secure custody. Her recent step toward Suboxone is positive, but it must be consistent and monitored.
You’re not wrong for prioritizing the baby’s safety. Recovery is possible for her, but the child can’t wait. Would you report to CPS now, or wait for hospital involvement? How do you balance supporting a partner’s recovery while ensuring the newborn’s immediate protection?
