ORN Webinar Fall 2021 #5 - Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy and the Perinatal Period-Event Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Davida Schiff presented a webinar on treating opioid use disorder in pregnancy and the perinatal period. She emphasized the importance of understanding how substance use impacts the health of children and families. Dr. Schiff discussed the limitations and biases in presenting national prevalence data, as well as treatment considerations for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. She explored the unique stigma and discrimination surrounding pregnancy and substance use disorder treatment, and identified opportunities for improved engagement, care, and collaboration in preparation for delivery. Dr. Schiff also discussed the risks to substance-exposed families in the early postpartum period and the need for ongoing support. She mentioned that the rate of opioid-affected deliveries continues to rise, and that the current rate is more than four times higher than it was two decades ago. Dr. Schiff highlighted the importance of non-pharmacologic care and the benefits and risks of pharmacologic treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. She also discussed the impact of language and media on shaping public perception and advocated for reducing stigma and providing trauma-informed care. Dr. Schiff addressed the challenges of transition and relapse postpartum, and the need for ongoing support and collaboration among professionals, agencies, and communities. She shared her approach to addressing relapse and substance use recurrence while parenting, and emphasized the importance of trust and non-punitive responses in order to promote disclosure and engagement in treatment. Overall, Dr. Schiff provided valuable insights and recommendations for improving the treatment and care of opioid use disorder in pregnancy and the perinatal period.

Keywords

opioid use disorder

pregnancy

perinatal period

substance use

treatment considerations

stigma and discrimination

postpartum period

opioid-affected deliveries

non-pharmacologic care

trauma-informed care