TONAWANDA, NY (CNN NEWSOURCE) – Baby Carter and mom, Elizabeth Dominguez, are enjoying time at their town of Tonawanda, New York home a week after Carter was brought into the world.
But it’s the journey here and what Dominguez ate before she gave birth that’s made this new mom’s experience anything but easy.
“And I just want everyone to know that this could happen like this is like such a terrible thing and I don’t want it to happen to anyone,” Dominguez said.
When Dominguez got to the hospital she was asked for a urine sample.
“And it came back they tested positive for opiates. So I called my husband freaking out. I was like What. How is this how is this possible? I don’t do drugs. This is not ok,” Dominguez said.
Her husband Mark asked her what she had to eat.
“Bagel and I had a sub. I was like that’s all I pretty much ate, and he’s like it’s – it was from the bagel, and I’m like no way,” Dominguez said.
A bagel that was covered in poppy seeds. Poppy seeds derived from the opium plant but can eating them flip a drug test positive?
“Depending on how well the poppy seeds are washed because they come from that same plant, they can contain some residue of either morphine or codeine on the exterior,” Dr. Michelle Rainka said.
Dr. Michelle Rainka, a clinical pharmacist at Dent Neurologic Institute, says it’s entirely possible and anyone who will be taking a drug test should know this.
“Anywhere from one to three bagels with poppy seeds can produce positive tests on a urine toxicology,” Rainka said.
Dominguez gave birth later that day and her baby’s tests for opiates came back negative.
Still, the hospital monitored Carter for withdrawal and because of Dominguez’s failed drug test, hospital staff followed protocol and called Child Protective Services.
“Questioning me like asking me all sorts of questions saying like if we are to take your baby and your kids away from you where would you like them to go?” Dominguez said.
Dominguez was discharged but Carter had to stay, separating mom and baby less than 24 hours after birth.
“Absolutely horrible. I felt like a terrible mother leaving him,” Dominguez said.
Reports show Dominguez did have a false positive because of the poppy seed bagel.
“Well, my kids are my everything. You know I mean I live for my children. I love my children. And it’s just like how are you going to threaten to take my kids away from me,” Dominguez said.
