Models of care for opioid dependent pregnant women

Abstract

As the opioid crisis continues to exist in the United States, opioid use in pregnancy is becoming a more common occurrence. Left untreated, it may result in an increased risk for adverse outcomes for both the mother and her unborn child. Unfortunately, women with opioid use disorders often face numerous barriers when trying to access prenatal care services including limited availability or treatment options, stigma, legal consequences, co-morbid psychiatric disorders, and trauma exposure. A care model that integrates prenatal care, medication assisted treatment and behavioral health services delivered in a trauma-informed environment can improve prenatal care attendance and thus have far-reaching positive implications for both the woman and her newborn child.

Keywords: Medication assisted treatment; Opioid use disorder; Pregnancy; Prenatal care.