Opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy contributes to maternal death and poor birth outcomes. Although prenatal care can reduce these effects, pregnant individuals may delay care due to concerns about stereotyping and stigmatizing by providers. The relationship between a physician and their patient may also be strained by mandated reporting of substance use to law enforcement or social services, and related fears of parent-child separation and criminalization. Such fears may present additional barriers to receiving prenatal care.

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Kanter, the current state health official of Louisiana, and Dr. Amy Ladley, Program Manager for the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, discuss Louisiana’s approach to reducing stigma and fears of criminalization around opioid use in pregnant and postpartum individuals. They also highlight the importance of partnerships in these efforts.

Resources:

Stigma Reinforces Barriers to Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Substance Use Disorder

Supporting Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Opioid Use Disorder: An Infographic Series

Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit: Supporting the Public Health Response in Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health