Substance use disorders in pregnancy: clinical, ethical, and research imperatives of the opioid epidemic: a report of a joint workshop of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Society of Addiction Medicine

Biological Testing and Interpretation of Laboratory Results Associated with Detecting Newborns with Substance Exposure

BACKGROUND

Substance use during pregnancy is common, as is biological testing that is intended to help identify prenatal exposures. However, there is no standardized requirement for biological testing with either maternal or newborn specimens, nor is there standardization related to when testing occurs, how frequently testing occurs, what specimen(s) to test, what substances to test for, or how to perform testing.

CONTENT

We review common specimen types tested to detect maternal and newborn substance exposure with a focus on urine, meconium, and umbilical cord tissue. We also review common analytical methods used to perform testing, including immunoassay, and mass spectrometry platforms. Considerations regarding the utilization of testing relative to the purpose of testing, the drug analyte(s) of interest, the specific testing employed, and the interpretation of results are emphasized to help guide decisions about clinical utilization of testing. We also highlight specific examples of unexpected results that can be used to guide interpretation and appropriate next steps.

SUMMARY

There are strengths and limitations associated with all approaches to detecting substance exposure in pregnant persons as well as biological testing to evaluate a newborn with possible substance exposure. Standardization is needed to better inform decisions surrounding evaluation of substance exposures in pregnant people and newborns. If biological sampling is pursued, testing options and results must be reviewed in clinical context, acknowledging that false-positive and -negative results can and do occur.

Neonatal outcomes of pregnant women attending integrated and standard substance use treatment programs in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

Substance use in pregnancy raises concern given its potential teratogenic effects. Given the unique needs of parenting people and the potential impact for developing children, specialized substance use treatment programs are increasingly being implemented for this population. Substance use treatment is associated with more positive neonatal outcomes compared with no treatment, however treatment models vary limiting our understanding of key treatment components/modelsFew studies have explored the influence of treatment model type (i.e., integrated treatments designed for pregnant clients compared with standard treatment models) and no studies have examined the influence of treatment model on neonatal outcomes using Canadian data.

METHOD

We conducted a population-based cohort study of clients who were pregnant when initiating integrated (n = 564) and standard (n = 320) substance use treatment programs in Ontario, Canada.

RESULTS

Neonatal outcomes did not significantly differ by treatment type (integrated or standard), with rates of adverse neonatal outcomes higher than published rates for the general population, despite receipt of adequate levels of prenatal care. While this suggests no significant impact of treatment, it is notable that as a group, clients engaged in integrated treatment presented with more risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes than those in standard treatment. While we controlled for these risks in our analyses, this may have obscured their influence in relation to treatment type.

CONCLUSION

Findings underscore the need for more nuanced research that considers the influence of client factors in interaction with treatment type. Pregnant clients engaged in any form of substance use treatment are at higher risk of having children who experience adverse neonatal outcomes. This underscores the urgent need for further investment in services and research to support maternal and neonatal health before and during pregnancy, as well as long-term service models that support women and children beyond the perinatal and early childhood periods.

Implementation of perinatal quality collaborative statewide initiative improves obstetrical opioid use disorder care and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Maternal deaths resulting from opioid use disorder have been increasing across the United States. Opioid use disorder among pregnant persons is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, along with racial disparities in optimal opioid use disorder care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate whether the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative implementation of the Mothers and Newborns affected by Opioids - Obstetric quality improvement initiative was associated with improvement in opioid use disorder identification, provision of optimal opioid use disorder care for birthing patients, and reduction in racial gaps in optimal opioid use disorder care.

STUDY DESIGN

Using a prospective cohort design, hospitals reported monthly key measures for all patients with opioid use disorder at delivery between July 2018 and December 2020. The Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative facilitates collaborative learning opportunities, rapid response data, and quality improvement support. Generalized linear mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate improvement in optimal opioid use disorder care, including increases in linkages to medication-assisted treatment, recovery treatment services, and naloxone counseling across time, and to determine whether optimal opioid use disorder care was associated with positive outcomes, such as lower odds of preterm birth.

RESULTS

A total of 91 hospitals submitted data on 2095 pregnant persons with opioid use disorder. For the primary outcomes, the rates of patients receiving medication-assisted treatment and recovery treatment services improved across the initiative from 41% to 78% and 48% to 67%, respectively. For the secondary outcomes, the receipt of recovery treatment services and both recovery treatment services and medication-assisted treatment provided prenatally before delivery admission was associated with lower odds of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio: 0.67 [95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.91] and 0.49 [95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.75], respectively). During the first quarter of the initiative, Black patients with opioid use disorder were less likely to be linked to medication-assisted treatment than White patients (23% vs 48%, respectively); however, an increase in medication-assisted treatment rates across the initiative occurred for all patients, with the greatest improvement for Black patients with an associated reduction in this disparity gap with >70% of both Black and White patients linked to medication-assisted treatment.

CONCLUSION

The Mothers and Newborns affected by Opioids - Obstetric initiative was associated with improvement in optimal opioid use disorder care for pregnant patients across Illinois hospitals, additionally racial disparities in opioid use disorder care was reduced across the initiative. Our findings implicate how optimal opioid use disorder care can improve pregnancy outcomes and close persistent racial gaps for pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder.

Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the Parent-Child Assistance Program: a case management and home visiting program for people using substances during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Perinatal substance use can have significant adverse effects on maternal and child health and family stability. Few interventions are specifically designed to address this significant public health problem. The Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP) is a 3-year case management and home-visiting intervention that seeks to help birthing persons with at-risk substance use during pregnancy to achieve and maintain substance use disorder recovery and avoid exposing future children to substances prenatally. At-risk refers to a level of substance use that creates problems in the individuals' lives or puts them or their children at risk of harm either prenatally or postnatally. Although the program has consistently shown substantial pre- to post-intervention improvements in its participants, PCAP remains to be tested with a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study protocol describes a randomized controlled trial that aims to examine the effectiveness of the intervention compared to services as usual in affecting primary outcomes related to substance use and family planning. Secondary outcomes will concern connection to recovery support services and family preservation.

METHODS

Using an intent-to-treat design, the study will recruit from two metro areas in Oklahoma and enroll 200 birthing individuals who are pregnant or up to 24 months postpartum with at-risk substance use during their current or most recent pregnancy. Participants will be randomly assigned, stratified by location, to receive either PCAP or services as usual for 3 years. Participants in the PCAP condition will meet with their case manager approximately biweekly over the course of the intervention period, in their local communities or in their own homes whenever possible. Case managers will assist with goal setting and provide practical assistance in support of participants' goals. Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12, 24, and 36 months post-baseline using the Addiction Severity Index interview and a self-administered survey.

DISCUSSION

Results from this trial will help to gauge the effectiveness of PCAP in improving parent and child well-being. Results will be reviewed by federal clearinghouses on home-visiting and foster care prevention to determine the strength of evidence of effectiveness with implications for federal financing of this program model at the state level.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05534568. Registered on 6/8/2022.

Pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder in pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy has significantly increased in the last decade, impacting 8.2 per 1000 deliveries. OUD carries significant risk of morbidity and mortality for both the birthing person and neonate, but outcomes for both are improved with opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Here, we describe the recommended forms of OAT in pregnancy, updates to the literature, and alternate OAT strategies, and share practical peripartum considerations for patients on OAT.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies comparing buprenorphine and methadone have reaffirmed previous findings that buprenorphine is associated with superior outcomes for the neonate, without clear differences in morbidity or mortality for the birthing person. Optimal initiation and dosing of OAT remains unclear, with several recent studies evaluating methods of initiation, as well as a potential role for higher and more rapid dosing in the fentanyl era. Alternative products such as buprenorphine-naloxone and extended-release buprenorphine are of significant research interest, though randomized prospective data are not yet available.

SUMMARY

Buprenorphine and methadone are standard of care for treatment of OUD during pregnancy, and multiple patient factors impact the optimal choice. Insufficient data exist to recommend alternative agents as a primary strategy currently. All patients with OUD in pregnancy should be counseled regarding OAT.

VIDEO

http://links.lww.com/COOG/A94.

Interprofessional Care Models for Pregnant and Early-Parenting Persons Who Use Substances: A Scoping Review

Introduction

Use of substances during pregnancy is a global health concern. Interprofessional care teams can provide an optimal care approach to engage individuals who use substances during the perinatal period. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide a comprehensive summation of published literature reporting on interprofessional care models for perinatal individuals who use substances.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search for articles from health-related databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was followed. Data were extracted and synthesized to identify the interprofessional care team roles, program and/or provider characteristics, and care outcomes of these models.

Results

We screened 645 publications for full text eligibility. Eleven articles met full inclusion criteria and were summarized. Programs were built on co-location of services, partnership with other agencies, available group/peer support and approaches inclusive of cultural care, trauma informed care, and harm reduction principles.

Discussion

There is growing evidence supporting integrated care models that are inclusive of relational care providers from multiple health care professions to achieve wraparound care.

Conclusions

Many of the interprofessional care models studied have successfully blended social, primary, pregnancy, and addictions care. The success and sustainability of programs varies, and more work is needed to evaluate program and patient outcomes.

The Impact of Social Vulnerability on Substance Use Detection Practices in Pregnancy

This study aimed to synthesize current literature regarding the impact of social vulnerability on pregnancy-related substance use detection in the United States and highlight disparities in substance use detection practices. Clinicaltrials.gov, Google Scholar, PubMed (includes MEDLINE), and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): (["pregnancy" or "prenatal"] AND ["substance use screening" or "urine toxicology testing" or "toxicology testing" or "urine drug screening" or "CRAFFT" or "4P's" or "4P's Plus" or "NIDA Quick Screen" or "DAST-10" or "SURP-P" or "WIDUS"], AND ("bias" or "disparities" or "social vulnerability"]). The search included systematic reviews, prospective and retrospective studies, randomized controlled trials, case studies, and qualitative and quantitative research from January 2014 through November 2023. Selected literature was limited to studies published in English, which included a study population of either pregnant individuals or pregnancy health care providers in the United States, and that were focused on inequities in pregnancy substance use detection. Using Covidence, three authors screened abstracts, and two screened full articles for inclusion. The included studies were evaluated for quality of evidence using the mixed methods appraisal tool. The search yielded 4,188 manuscripts; 37 were eligible for full review. A total of 18 manuscripts were included based on the relevancy of the topic. The most common social vulnerability domain identified was minority status (17/18), followed by socioeconomic status (11/18), household characteristics (8/18), and housing type (1/18). Social vulnerability plays a role in substance use detection among pregnant individuals. Most notably, race and ethnicity, age, and public insurance lead to increased rates of detection, though most individual factors need to be studied in greater depth. This study was registered with PROSPERO (PROSPERO ID CRD42022352598), the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. KEY POINTS: · Socially vulnerable pregnant individuals are more likely to receive substance use screening or urine toxicology testing.. · Race, ethnicity, age, and insurance influence substance use detection disparities.. · More research is needed to understand how other characteristics influence disparities in substance use detection..

Strategies to improve delivery of equitable and evidence-informed care for pregnant and birthing people with a substance use disorder in acute care settings: A scoping review protocol

This protocol outlines a proposed scoping review to characterize evidence on implementation and quality improvement (QI) strategies that aim to improve equitable, evidence-informed care delivery for pregnant and birthing people with substance use disorder (SUD) in acute care. Untreated SUD during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of overdose and severe maternal morbidity. Acute care settings are one important place to deliver equitable, evidence-informed clinical care. While clinical practice guidelines for substance use treatment and care of pregnant and birthing people with SUD exist, there are gaps in implementation. Our population of interest is pregnant and birthing people with SUD in an acute care setting. We will include US-based studies that describe or evaluate implementation or QI strategies, including experimental, observational, and descriptive studies published from 2016 to 2023. The proposed scoping review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews and registered at OSF (registration number: BC4VZ). We will search MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), Scopus (Elsevier), and APA PsychInfo (Ovid) for published studies. Conference proceedings and Perinatal Quality Collaborative websites will be searched for grey literature. Two reviewers will independently screen then extract studies that meet inclusion criteria using a data extraction tool. The completion of this scoping review will help illuminate strengths and gaps in research and practice that aim to inform substance use treatment and care in acute care settings for pregnant and birthing people with SUD.

The Pressing Need to Integrate Mental Health into Obstetric Care

Mental health and substance use conditions are prevalent among perinatal individuals. These conditions have a negative impact on the health of perinatal individuals, their infants, and families, yet are underdiagnosed and undertreated. Populations that have been marginalized disproportionately face barriers to accessing care. Integrating mental health into obstetric care could address the perinatal mental health crisis. We review perinatal mental health conditions and substance use, outline the impact associated with these conditions, and describe the promise and potential of integrating mental health into obstetric settings to improve outcomes for patients receiving obstetric and gynecologic care.

Substance Use in Pregnancy and Its Impact on Communities of Color

Stigma toward pregnant and postpartum people who use drugs is common and seeks to define addiction as a moral weakness rather than a chronic medical illness that requires resources and treatment. More concerning is the additive impact of substance use and racial discrimination, whose intersections present particularly challenging circumstances. In this article, the authors review the history of substance use in the United States and focus on 3 substances of abuse that illustrate the inequity faced by pregnant person of color who use drugs.

Addressing Perinatal Substance Use: A Triad Approach Led by the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative

Unintentional overdose is a leading driver of maternal death in Colorado. The high volume of maternal deaths from preventable causes lends questions to failures in our clinical and community-based care for pregnant and postpartum people. The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee identified 3 main contributors including stigma in the community and health care system, fragmentation of the health care system, and the need for more clinician training. The Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative led a 3-pronged intervention to address these challenges and improve perinatal care. The first intervention, the Colorado Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Substance Use Disorder quality improvement initiative, partnered with birthing hospitals statewide to institute universal screening and timely referral for individuals at risk of substance use disorder (SUD) and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The second intervention, the Improve Perinatal Access, Coordination, and Treatment for Behavioral Health initiative, established a perinatal support network within communities. This program assists individuals with SUD, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or social needs to navigate the perinatal period. The third intervention, the Colorado Maternal Overdose Matters Plus program, has enhanced in-hospital access to pharmacotherapy for pregnant and postpartum individuals with SUD through training and technical support. These collaborative initiatives aim to minimize barriers to care by integrating inpatient screening, treatment referrals, pharmacotherapy access, and community care support to mitigate maternal mortality in Colorado.

The Psychiatrist's Role in Treating Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder and Reducing Maternal Mortality

Drug overdose is a leading cause of maternal mortality. Psychiatrists can play a critical role in reducing these deaths by delivering effective evidence-based treatments for perinatal opioid use disorder (POUD), including the use of buprenorphine. Medications for POUD (i.e., buprenorphine, methadone) are life-saving treatments, but only half of those who are diagnosed as having POUD will receive this treatment, which can result in an increased risk for return to opioid use, overdose, and death. Psychiatrists are well positioned to prescribe buprenorphine given the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) removal of the requirement to submit a Notice of Intent to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorders. Psychiatrists who have a current DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority may now prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorders; the training requirements to do so are outlined herein. This article reviews the standard of care for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of POUD, and prescribing buprenorphine for POUD, as well as shared decision-making for medication selection, induction, and maintenance of buprenorphine during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum year.

Increasing access to quality care for pregnant and postpartum people with opioid use disorder: Coordination of services, provider awareness and training, extended postpartum coverage, and perinatal quality collaboratives

INTRODUCTION

Fifteen states participating in the Opioid Use Disorder, Maternal Outcomes, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Initiative Learning Community (OMNI LC) developed action plan goals and activities to address the rise in opioid use disorder (OUD) among birthing persons. In a separate initiative, Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) from 12 states participating in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-supported activities hosted trainings to improve the provision of OUD services and implement protocols for screening and treatment in delivery facilities.

METHODS

This descriptive study synthesizes qualitative data extracted from 15 OMNI LC state action plans, excerpts from qualitative interviews conducted with OMNI LC state teams, and quantitative data from quarterly project performance monitoring reports from 12 CDC-funded PQCs implementing quality improvement activities to address clinical service gaps for pregnant and postpartum people with OUD. Qualitative data were deidentified, coded as barriers or facilitators, then aggregated into emergent themes. Count data are presented for quantitative results.

RESULTS

The OMNI LC states identified a lack of coordinated care among providers, stigma toward people with OUD, discontinued insurance coverage, and inconsistencies in screening and treating birthing people with OUD as barriers to accessing quality care. State-identified facilitators for access to quality care included: 1) improving engagement and communication between providers and other partners to integrate medical and behavioral health services post-discharge, and facilitate improved patient care postpartum; 2) training providers to prescribe medications for OUD, and to address bias and reduce patient stigma; 3) extending Medicaid coverage up to one year postpartum to increase access to and continuity of services; and 4) implementing screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) in clinical practice. PQCs demonstrated that increased provider trainings to treat OUD, improvements in implementation of standardized protocols, and use of evidence-based tools can facilitate access to and coordination of services in delivery facilities.

CONCLUSION

State-identified facilitators for increasing access to care include coordinating integrated services, extending postpartum coverage, and provider trainings to improve screening and treatment. PQCs provide a platform for identifying emerging areas for quality improvement initiatives and implementing clinical best practices to provide comprehensive, quality perinatal care for birthing populations.

Pregnancy- and parenting-related barriers to receiving medication for opioid use disorder: A multi-paneled qualitative study of women in treatment, women who terminated treatment, and the professionals who serve them

BACKGROUND

Women face unique barriers when seeking treatment for substance use disorders, often related to pregnancy and parenting.

OBJECTIVES

This study adds to the extant literature by elucidating the pregnancy- and parenting-related barriers women face when initiating or continuing medication for opioid use disorder, specifically.

DESIGN

This study is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews.

METHODS

Three subgroups participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences (N = 42): women with current or past opioid use disorders who have used or were presently using medication for opioid use disorder, professionals working in substance use disorder treatment programs, and criminal justice professionals.

RESULTS

Three parenting-related subthemes were identified: (1) insufficient access to childcare to navigate appointments and meetings, (2) fear of losing custody of, or access to, one's children, and (3) prioritizing one's children's needs before one's own. Three subthemes were identified with regard to pregnancy as a barrier: (1) hesitancy among physicians to prescribe medication for opioid use disorder for pregnant patients, (2) limited access to resources in rural areas, and (3) difficulty navigating a complex, decentralized health system.

CONCLUSION

Systemic changes are needed to reduce pregnant and parenting women's barriers to seeking medication for opioid use disorder. These include improved childcare support at both in-patient and outpatient treatment programs, which would assuage women's barriers related to childcare, as well as their fears of losing access to their children if they spend time away from their children for treatment. An additional systemic improvement that may reduce barriers for these women is access to comprehensive, integrated care for their prenatal care, postpartum care, pediatric appointments, and appropriate substance use disorder treatment.

Drivers of variation in postpartum opioid prescribing across hospitals participating in a statewide maternity care quality collaborative

BACKGROUND

We describe variation in postpartum opioid prescribing across a statewide quality collaborative and assess the proportion due to practitioner and hospital characteristics.

METHODS

We assessed postpartum prescribing data from nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex births between January 2020 and June 2021 included in the clinical registry of a statewide obstetric quality collaborative funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Mixed effect logistic regression and linear models adjusted for patient characteristics and assessed practitioner- and hospital-level predictors of receiving a postpartum opioid prescription and prescription size. Relative contributions of practitioner and hospital characteristics were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Of 40,589 patients birthing at 68 hospitals, 3.0% (872/29,412) received an opioid prescription after vaginal birth and 87.8% (9812/11,177) received one after cesarean birth, with high variation across hospitals. In adjusted models, the strongest patient-level predictors of receiving a prescription were cesarean birth (aOR 899.1, 95% CI 752.8-1066.7) and third-/fourth-degree perineal laceration (aOR 25.7, 95% CI 17.4-37.9). Receiving care from a certified nurse-midwife (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48-0.82) or family medicine physician (aOR 0.60, 95%CI 0.39-0.91) was associated with lower prescribing rates. Hospital-level predictors included receiving care at hospitals with <500 annual births (aOR 4.07, 95% CI 1.61-15.0). A positive safety culture was associated with lower prescribing rates (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15-0.88). Much of the variation in postpartum prescribing was attributable to practitioners and hospitals (prescription receipt: practitioners 25.1%, hospitals 12.1%; prescription size: practitioners 5.4%, hospitals: 52.2%).

DISCUSSION

Variation in postpartum opioid prescribing after birth is high and driven largely by practitioner- and hospital-level factors. Opioid stewardship efforts targeted at both the practitioner and hospital level may be effective for reducing opioid prescribing harms.

Buprenorphine use and setting type among reproductive-aged women self-reporting nonmedical prescription opioid use

INTRODUCTION

Screening for opioid misuse and treatment for opioid use disorder are critical for reducing morbidity and mortality. We sought to understand the extent of self-reported past 30-day buprenorphine use in various settings among women of reproductive age with self-reported nonmedical prescription opioid use being assessed for substance use problems.

METHODS

The study collected data from individuals being assessed for substance use problems using the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version in 2018-2020. We stratified the sample of 10,196 women ages 12-55 self-reporting past 30-day nonmedical prescription opioid use by buprenorphine use and setting type. We categorized setting types as: buprenorphine in specialty addiction treatment, buprenorphine in office-based opioid treatment, and diverted buprenorphine. We included each woman's first intake assessment during the study period. The study assessed number of buprenorphine products, reasons for using buprenorphine, and sources of buprenorphine procurement. The study calculated frequency of reasons for using buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder outside of a doctor-managed treatment, overall and by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Overall, 25.5 % of the sample used buprenorphine in specialty addiction treatment, 6.1 % used buprenorphine prescribed in office-based treatment, 21.7 % used diverted buprenorphine, and 46.7 % reported no buprenorphine use during the past 30 days. Among women who reported using buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder, but not as part of a doctor-managed treatment, 72.3 % could not find a provider or get into a treatment program, 21.8 % did not want to be part of a program or see a provider, and 6.0 % reported both; a higher proportion of American Indian/Alaska Native women (92.1 %) reported that they could not find a provider or get into a treatment program versus non-Hispanic White (78.0 %), non-Hispanic Black (76.0 %), and Hispanic (75.0 %) women.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate screening for nonmedical prescription opioid use to assess need for treatment with medication for opioid use disorder is important for all women of reproductive age. Our data highlight opportunities to improve treatment program accessibility and availability and support the need to increase equitable access for all women.

Factors associated with perinatal substance use among Ethiopian women: an institutional-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: Substance use during the perinatal period is a significant public health concern, as it can have potential adverse effects on maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Unexpectedly, no previous studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of substance use during the perinatal period among Ethiopian women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of substance use and its determinant factors during the perinatal period. Method: We conducted a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study among a systematically selected sample of 418 women who attended perinatal care between May and July 2022. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, with a 95% confidence interval and p-values less than 0.05, was employed to identify factors associated with substance use behavior. Result: The prevalence of perinatal substance use was found to be 38.3% (95% CI: 33.5-43.5). Of the women who used substances, 109 (26.1%) reported using chat, 46 (11.0%) reported alcohol consumption, and 5 (1.20%) reported using shisha. Factors significantly associated with substance use behavior during the perinatal period included a history of obstetric complications (AOR = 1.722, 95% CI: 1.022-2.902), the presence of chronic medical conditions (AOR = 3.784, 95% CI: 2.164-6.615), experiencing physical abuse (AOR = 5.323, 95% CI: 2.171-13.050), depression (AOR = 1.963, 95% CI: 1.028-3.749), and experiencing sleep disturbances (AOR = 2.016, 95% CI: 0.975-4.168). Conversely, giving birth to a live baby was found to be a protective factor against substance use behavior (AOR = 0.389, 95% CI: 0.187-0.810). Discussion: This study highlights a high prevalence of substance abuse among women during the perinatal period. In light of these findings, a comprehensive approach is recommended to address perinatal substance use among Ethiopian women. This should include the integration of preventive educational programs into perinatal care.

Partnering for the future clinic: A multidisciplinary perinatal substance use program

OBJECTIVE

The current model of obstetric care does not integrate multiple subspecialty services for high-risk pregnancies with substance use disorder (SUD), resulting in fragmented care. We describe the framework of our multidisciplinary and integrated perinatal substance use clinic and provide recent clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We detail the Partnering for the Future (PFF) clinic, which integrates numerous subspecialty and support services for patients with SUDs and complex mental health needs. Additionally, a retrospective chart review of patients receiving care in the PFF clinic from 2017 to 2021 was completed.

RESULTS

Seven integrated services are detailed with a focus on reducing stigma, providing trauma-informed care and mitigating harm. During the study period, 182 patients received care in PFF clinic, with opioid use disorder the most common indication for care. Co-occurring mental illness was common (81%). NICU admissions and severe NOWS diagnosis declined after the implementation of Eat-Sleep-Console. Social services identified care coordination, transportation assistance and adjustment counseling as the most common needs. A novel virtual behavioral health consultation service was successfully launched.

CONCLUSIONS

Our integrated care model supports the holistic care of pregnant people with SUD and mental health disease. Patient-centered care and co-located services have improved perinatal outcomes, particularly for opioid-exposed pregnancies.

Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation: Jointly developed with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The objective of this Clinical Recommendation is to review relevant literature and provide evidence-based recommendations for medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation, with a focus on mifepristone-misoprostol and misoprostol-only regimens. We systematically reviewed PubMed articles published between 2008 and 2022 and reviewed reference lists of included articles to identify additional publications. See Search Strategy for more details. Several randomized trials of medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation demonstrate that mifepristone 200 mg orally before misoprostol increases effectiveness (complete abortion at 24 or 48 hours) compared to misoprostol only. Studies continue to evaluate different doses, routes, and dosing intervals for misoprostol. If mifepristone is unavailable, several misoprostol regimens with individual doses of at least 200 mcg or more are effective. Adjunctive osmotic dilators are of limited benefit. It is important to individualize care, with consideration to reducing misoprostol dose in low-resource settings or at 24 0/7 weeks of gestation or later (or equivalent uterine size). Misoprostol in the setting of two or more previous cesarean sections is associated with increased risk of uterine rupture compared to one or none, but risk remains low. Most contraceptives can be started during or immediately following abortion. Appropriately trained and credentialed advanced practice clinicians can provide medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation with appropriate backup within the confines of local regulations and licensure.

In our responses to the overdose epidemic, we cannot forget pregnant and postpartum people

In 2021, there were over 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States (US). Death rates have increased faster among women than men, particularly among Black and Indigenous people. Although drug overdose is a leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths, birthing people are rarely emphasized in discussions of overdose and research and services remain limited. Data show increases in drug use and deaths among women of child-bearing age, with risks continuing in the postpartum period. Harms experienced by birthing people who use drugs occur in the context of broader inequities in maternal morbidity and mortality that lead to disparate reproductive health outcomes. Shared structural antecedents (e.g. intersecting sexism and racism, stigma, and punitive policies) underlie overlapping epidemics of overdose and maternal morbidity and mortality. Here we discuss the unique challenges placed on birthing people who use drugs and make recommendations on how to mitigate harms by improving access to and delivery of quality care and addressing unjust policies and practices. We highlight the need for integrated health services, clearer guidelines rooted in equity, and the need for changes to policy and practice that support rather than punish. To better serve individuals and families impacted by substance use, we need multilevel solutions that advance gender equity and racial justice to reshape and/or dismantle the systems that undergird oppression.

Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation: Jointly developed with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The objective of this Clinical Recommendation is to review relevant literature and provide evidence-based recommendations for medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation, with a focus on mifepristone-misoprostol and misoprostol-only regimens. We systematically reviewed PubMed articles published between 2008 and 2022 and reviewed reference lists of included articles to identify additional publications. See Search Strategy for more details. Several randomized trials of medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation demonstrate that mifepristone 200 mg orally before misoprostol increases effectiveness (complete abortion at 24 or 48 hours) compared to misoprostol only. Studies continue to evaluate different doses, routes, and dosing intervals for misoprostol. If mifepristone is unavailable, several misoprostol regimens with individual doses of at least 200 mcg or more are effective. Adjunctive osmotic dilators are of limited benefit. It is important to individualize care, with consideration to reducing misoprostol dose in low-resource settings or at 24 0/7 weeks of gestation or later (or equivalent uterine size). Misoprostol in the setting of two or more previous cesarean sections is associated with increased risk of uterine rupture compared to one or none, but risk remains low. Most contraceptives can be started during or immediately following abortion. Appropriately trained and credentialed advanced practice clinicians can provide medication abortion between 14 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks of gestation with appropriate backup within the confines of local regulations and licensure.

The Fall of Roe v. Wade : The Addiction Specialist's Role in Championing Reproductive Rights

Reproductive age-pregnant individuals who use substances are disproportionately impacted by the US Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade . Because of historic and ongoing discrimination against pregnant individuals who use substances, this group is at high risk for inadequate pregnancy options counseling and lack of access to safe and legal abortions. Fetal rights laws set a concerning precedent that further criminalize and penalize substance use in pregnancy. As addiction specialists, we have the professional responsibility to champion the reproductive freedoms of pregnant individuals who use substances. There are several ways that addiction specialists can uphold the reproductive rights of patients on an individual, state, and federal level, including the following: incorporate reproductive healthcare into addiction practices, help those seeking abortion navigate barriers, partner with perinatal healthcare clinicians to provide evidence-based addiction treatment during pregnancy, and support decriminalization and destigmatization of substance use, especially in pregnancy.

Office-Based Management of Perinatal Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder for the General Obstetrician-Gynecologist

This is a review of substance use and substance use disorder in pregnancy, intended for the generalist obstetrician-gynecologist. Herein, the authors discuss legal considerations, outline definitions, review screening tools, introduce special considerations and harm reduction, caution the use of urinary toxicology testing, and touch on the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment model. Furthermore, the authors provide a brief overview of the prevalence, maternal and neonatal risks, and treatment approaches for commonly used substances.

Disparities in Maternal-Infant Drug Testing, Social Work Assessment, and Custody at 5 Hospitals

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate for disparities in peripartum toxicology testing among maternal-infant dyads across a hospital network and subsequent child protective services (CPS) involvement.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of 59,425 deliveries at 5 hospitals in Massachusetts between 2016 and 2020. We evaluated associations between maternal characteristics, toxicology testing, and child welfare involvement with disproportionality risk ratios and hierarchical logistical regression.

RESULTS

Toxicology testing was performed on 1959 (3.3%) dyads. Younger individuals and individuals of color were more likely to be tested for cannabis use or maternal medical complications compared to white non-Hispanic individuals. Among those without a substance use disorder, age <25 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.43-3.26), race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic Black (aOR 1.80; 95% CI, 1.52-2.13), Hispanic (aOR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.05-1.45), mixed race/other (aOR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04, 1.87), unavailable race (aOR 1.92; 95% CI, 1.32-2.79), and public insurance (Medicaid [aOR 2.61; 95% CI, 2.27-3.00], Medicare [aOR 13.76; 95% CI, 9.99-18.91]) had increased odds of toxicology testing compared to older, white non-Hispanic, and privately insured individuals. The disproportionality ratios in testing were greater than 1.0 for individuals under 25 years old (3.8), Hispanic individuals (1.6), non-Hispanic Black individuals (1.8), individuals of other race (1.2), unavailable race (1.8), and individuals with public insurance (Medicaid 2.6; Medicare 10.6). Among dyads tested, race and ethnicity was not associated with CPS involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripartum toxicology testing is disproportionately performed on non-white, younger, and poorer individuals and their infants, with cannabis use and medical complications prompting testing more often for patients of color than for white non-Hispanic individuals.

A comparison of postpartum opioid consumption and opioid discharge prescriptions among opioid-naïve patients and those with opioid use disorder

BACKGROUND

Management of patients with opioid use disorder during the acute postpartum period remains clinically challenging as obstetricians aim to mitigate postdelivery pain while optimizing recovery support.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate postpartum opioid consumption and opioids prescribed at discharge among patients with opioid use disorder treated with methadone, buprenorphine, and no medication for opioid use disorder, as compared with opioid-naïve counterparts.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients who underwent delivery at >20 weeks' gestation at a tertiary academic hospital between May 2014 and April 2020. The primary outcome of this analysis was the mean daily quantity of oral opioids consumed after delivery while inpatient, in milligrams of morphine equivalents. Secondary outcomes included the following: (1) quantity of oral opioids prescribed at discharge, and (2) prescription for oral opioids in the 6 weeks after hospital discharge. Multiple linear regression was used to compare differences in the primary outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 16,140 pregnancies were included. Patients with opioid use disorder (n=553) consumed 14 milligrams of morphine equivalents per day greater quantities of opioids postpartum than opioid-naïve women (n=15,587), (95% confidence interval, 11-17). Patients with opioid use disorder undergoing cesarean delivery consumed 30 milligrams of morphine equivalents per day greater quantities of opioids than opioid-naïve counterparts (95% confidence interval, 26-35). Among patients who underwent vaginal delivery, there was no difference in opioid consumption among patients with and without opioid use disorder. Compared with patients prescribed methadone, patients prescribed buprenorphine, and those prescribed no medication for opioid use disorder consumed similar opioid quantities postpartum following both vaginal and cesarean delivery. Among patients undergoing cesarean delivery, opioid-naïve patients were more likely to receive a discharge prescription for opioids than patients with opioid use disorder (77% vs 68%; P=.002), despite lower pain scores and less inhospital opioid consumption.

CONCLUSION

Patients with opioid use disorder, regardless of treatment with methadone, buprenorphine, or no medication for opioid use disorder consumed significantly greater quantities of opioids after cesarean delivery but received fewer opioid prescriptions at discharge.

A mini review of what matters in the management of NAS, is ESC the best care?

As the use of opioids and polysubstance by pregnant women has increased over the years, there has also been a sharp increase in cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Classically, infants affected by NAS have been cared for in neonatal intensive care units resulting in an increase of healthcare expenditure and resource utilization as well as separation from the families. Consequently, the Eat, Sleep, and Console (ESC) tool was developed and promoted as a novel method that focuses on maternal/infant dyad during hospital stay while decreasing the use of pharmacological interventions and therefore decreasing the length of stay and healthcare expenditure. Thus, it has been implemented in several hospitals in the United States. Although the training of staff has been proposed and the interventions of sleep, eat, and console are defined, there still exists a lack of standardization of this practice specifically in regard to the type of associated non-pharmacological practices as well as the reports of its short- and long-term outcomes.

Interventions to Support Engagement in Addiction Care Postpartum: Principles and Pitfalls

There is a fundamental disconnect between the optimal management of addiction in general and care delivery in pregnancy and postpartum. Addiction is a chronic condition requiring some degree of management across the life course. Yet, in the US, reproductive care is episodic and centers more on pregnancy than at other stages of the reproductive life course. Pregnancy is prioritized in access to insurance as almost all pregnant people are Medicaid eligible but access ends at varying points postpartum. This results in a structural mismatch: the episodic management of the chronic condition of addiction only within gestational periods. Though people with substance use disorder (SUD) may access care in pregnancy, treatment attrition is common postpartum. Postpartum is a time of increased vulnerabilities where insurance churn and newborn caretaking responsibilities collide in a context of care withdrawal from the health system and health providers. In part in consequence, return to use, SUD recurrence, overdose, and overdose death are more common postpartum than in pregnancy, and drug deaths have become a leading cause of maternal deaths in the US. This review addresses interventions to support engagement in addiction care postpartum. We begin with a scoping review of model programs and evidence-informed interventions that have been shown to increase continuation of care postpartum. We then explore the realities of contemporary care through a review of clinical and ethical principles, with particular attention to harm reduction. We conclude with suggestions of strategies (clinical, research, and policy) to improve care postpartum and highlight potential pitfalls in the uptake of evidence-based and person-centered services.

Mental health and substance use disorders at delivery hospitalization and readmissions after delivery discharge

BACKGROUND

The objective was to assess mental health and substance use disorders (MSUD) at delivery hospitalization and readmissions after delivery discharge.

METHODS

This is a population-based retrospective cohort study of persons who had a delivery hospitalization during January to September in the 2019 Nationwide Readmissions Database. We calculated 90-day readmission rates for MSUD and non-MSUD, overall and stratified by MSUD status at delivery. We used multivariable logistic regressions to assess the associations of MSUD type, patient, clinical, and hospital factors at delivery with 90-day MSUD readmissions.

RESULTS

An estimated 11.8% of the 2,697,605 weighted delivery hospitalizations recorded MSUD diagnoses. The 90-day MSUD and non-MSUD readmission rates were 0.41% and 2.9% among delivery discharges with MSUD diagnoses, compared to 0.047% and 1.9% among delivery discharges without MSUD diagnoses. In multivariable analysis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, stimulant-related disorders, depressive disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, alcohol-related disorders, miscellaneous mental and behavioral disorders, and other specified substance-related disorders were significantly associated with increased odds of MSUD readmissions. Three or more co-occurring MSUDs (vs one MSUD), Medicare or Medicaid (vs private) as the primary expected payer, lowest (vs highest) quartile of median household income at residence zip code level, decreasing age, and longer length of stay at delivery were significantly associated with increased odds of MSUD readmissions.

CONCLUSION

Compared to persons without MSUD at delivery, those with MSUD had higher MSUD and non-MSUD 90-day readmission rates. Strategies to address MSUD readmissions can include improved postpartum MSUD follow-up management, expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage, and addressing social determinants of health.

Principles of care for pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorder: the obstetrician gynecologist perspective

Substance use in pregnant and parenting persons is common, yet still underdiagnosed. Substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the most stigmatized and undertreated chronic medical conditions, and this is exacerbated in the perinatal period. Many providers are not sufficiently trained in screening or treatment for substance use, so gaps in care for this population persist. Punitive policies towards substance use in pregnancy have proliferated, lead to decreased prenatal care, do not improve birth outcomes, and disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other families of color. We discuss the importance of understanding the unique barriers of pregnancy-capable persons and drug overdose as one of the leading causes of maternal death in the United States. We highlight the principles of care from the obstetrician-gynecologist perspective including care for the dyad, person-centered language, and current medical terminology. We then review treatment of the most common substances, discuss SUD during the birthing hospitalization, and highlight the high risk of mortality in the postpartum period.

The Influence of Mediators on the Relationship Between Antenatal Opioid Agonist Exposure and the Severity of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

(1) To evaluate the direct (un-mediated) and indirect (mediated) relationship between antenatal exposure to opioid agonist medication as treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and the severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), and (2) to understand the degree to which mediating factors influence the direct relationship between MOUD exposure and NOWS severity.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study includes data abstracted from the medical records of 1294 opioid-exposed infants (859 MOUD exposed and 435 non-MOUD exposed) born at or admitted to one of 30 US hospitals from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. Regression models and mediation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between MOUD exposure and NOWS severity (i.e., infant pharmacologic treatment and length of newborn hospital stay (LOS)) to identify potential mediators of this relationship in analyses adjusted for confounding factors.

RESULTS

A direct (un-mediated) association was found between antenatal exposure to MOUD and both pharmacologic treatment for NOWS (aOR 2.34; 95%CI 1.74, 3.14) and an increase in LOS (1.73 days; 95%CI 0.49, 2.98). Delivery of adequate prenatal care and a reduction in polysubstance exposure were mediators of the relationship between MOUD and NOWS severity and as thus, were indirectly associated with a decrease in both pharmacologic treatment for NOWS and LOS.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

MOUD exposure is directly associated with NOWS severity. Prenatal care and polysubstance exposure are potential mediators in this relationship. These mediating factors may be targeted to reduce the severity of NOWS while maintaining the important benefits of MOUD during pregnancy.

An unexpected path to addiction medicine

The field of Addiction Medicine needs dedicated reproductive healthcare specialists who are motivated to move the field forward to provide optimal patient care.

"A Lot of Things Stopped with COVID": Screening Pregnant Patients for Opioid Use and Related Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

We explored the impact of COVID-19 on universal screening programs for opioid use and related conditions among practicing clinicians or staff who work with pregnant patients.

METHODS

Semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews (n = 15) were conducted with practicing clinicians or staff in West-Central Florida between May and October 2020, representing both a range of professions and clinical settings that serve pregnant patients. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed for accuracy. Independent coders conducted thematic content analysis iteratively in MaxQDA to identify emergent themes.

RESULTS

Four main themes were identified: worsening health and life conditions of pregnant patients, impaired patient-provider interactions, lack of priority and resources, and conducting opioid screening remotely. Pregnant patients often faced worsening mental health, lack of connection with health care providers, and socioenvironmental factors that increased the risk of overdose and intimate partner violence. Health care providers and facilities faced an infectious disease pandemic that simultaneously increased mental burden and reduced resources. Telehealth improved access to health care for many, but also came with implementation challenges such as inadequate technology, the need to address barriers to developing rapport with patients, and difficulty with certain social screens.

CONCLUSION

These themes describe facilitators of and barriers to implementing opioid and related screening programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the increasing urgency of screening because of socioenvironmental factors. Patients, health care providers, and health practices may benefit from emergency plans that anticipate screening challenges given their increased importance during times of heightened risk, including disasters and epidemics.

CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain - United States, 2022

This guideline provides recommendations for clinicians providing pain care, including those prescribing opioids, for outpatients aged ≥18 years. It updates the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain - United States, 2016 (MMWR Recomm Rep 2016;65[No. RR-1]:1-49) and includes recommendations for managing acute (duration of <1 month), subacute (duration of 1-3 months), and chronic (duration of >3 months) pain. The recommendations do not apply to pain related to sickle cell disease or cancer or to patients receiving palliative or end-of-life care. The guideline addresses the following four areas: 1) determining whether or not to initiate opioids for pain, 2) selecting opioids and determining opioid dosages, 3) deciding duration of initial opioid prescription and conducting follow-up, and 4) assessing risk and addressing potential harms of opioid use. CDC developed the guideline using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Recommendations are based on systematic reviews of the scientific evidence and reflect considerations of benefits and harms, patient and clinician values and preferences, and resource allocation. CDC obtained input from the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (a federally chartered advisory committee), the public, and peer reviewers. CDC recommends that persons with pain receive appropriate pain treatment, with careful consideration of the benefits and risks of all treatment options in the context of the patient's circumstances. Recommendations should not be applied as inflexible standards of care across patient populations. This clinical practice guideline is intended to improve communication between clinicians and patients about the benefits and risks of pain treatments, including opioid therapy; improve the effectiveness and safety of pain treatment; mitigate pain; improve function and quality of life for patients with pain; and reduce risks associated with opioid pain therapy, including opioid use disorder, overdose, and death.

A Systematic Scoping Review of Peridelivery Pain Management for Pregnant People With Opioid Use Disorder: From the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine

The prevalence of pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD), including those receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), is increasing. Challenges associated with pain management in people with OUD include tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and risk for return to use. Yet, there are few evidence-based recommendations for pain management in the setting of pregnancy and the postpartum period, and many peripartum pain management studies exclude people with OUD. This scoping review summarized the available literature on peridelivery pain management in people with OUD, methodologies used, and identified specific areas of knowledge gaps. PubMed and Embase were comprehensively searched for publications in all languages on peripartum pain management among people with OUD, both treated with MOUD and untreated. Potential articles were screened by title, abstract, and full text. Data abstracted were descriptively analyzed to map available evidence and identify areas of limited or no evidence. A total of 994 publications were imported for screening on title, abstracts, and full text, yielding 84 publications identified for full review: 32 (38.1%) review articles, 14 (16.7%) retrospective studies, and 8 (9.5%) case reports. There were 5 randomized controlled trials. Most studies (64%) were published in perinatology (32; 38.1%) journals or anesthesiology (22; 26.2%) journals. Specific areas lacking trial or systematic review evidence include: (1) methods to optimize psychological and psychosocial comorbidities relevant to acute pain management around delivery; (2) alternative nonopioid and nonpharmacologic analgesia methods; (3) whether or not to use opioids for severe breakthrough pain and how best to prescribe and monitor its use after discharge; (4) monitoring for respiratory depression and sedation with coadministration of other analgesics; (5) optimal neuraxial analgesia dosing and adjuncts; and (6) benefits of abdominal wall blocks after cesarean delivery. No publications discussed naloxone coprescribing in the labor and delivery setting. We observed an increasing number of publications on peripartum pain management in pregnant people with OUD. However, existing published works are low on the pyramid of evidence (reviews, opinions, and retrospective studies), with a paucity of original research articles (<6%). Opinions are conflicting on the utility and disutility of various analgesic interventions. Studies generating high-quality evidence on this topic are needed to inform care for pregnant people with OUD. Specific research areas are identified, including utility and disutility of short-term opioid use for postpartum pain management, role of continuous wound infiltration and truncal nerve blocks, nonpharmacologic analgesia options, and the best methods to support psychosocial aspects of pain management.

Urine drug screening on labor and delivery

BACKGROUND

Substance use including opioids, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates during pregnancy is harmful for the pregnant person and the fetus. Routine screening using validated questionnaires is recommended, but often biologic sampling is done instead. There is often bias in urine drug screening on labor and delivery units.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare characteristics of people who did and did not receive urine drug screening during labor and delivery and to examine the relationship of maternal results to neonatal results.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective chart review examining all people in 2017 who delivered in the labor and delivery unit at our institution. We collected urine drug screening result information, maternal demographic data, follow-up after positive maternal tests, and neonatal test results. Individual characteristics and obstetrical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 6265 deliveries, 297 urine drug screening tests were ordered. People who were tested identified most commonly as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (P<.0001). The most common indications for ordering tests were a history of substance use and insufficient prenatal care (P<.0001). People who tested positive were more likely to self-identify as White (P=.03) and have history of substance use (P<.0001). Among the positive test results, 24 (24%) were caused by a provider-ordered medication. Self-identification as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander was not predictive of a positive result. Of the tested people, 36% (108/297) had a positive result on preliminary testing, and 33% (98/295) on confirmatory testing.

CONCLUSION

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were more likely to undergo testing, whereas White people were more likely to have a positive result. Maternal results were not reliable for predicting neonatal drug test results and vice versa. With rising rates of substance use disorders in the pregnant and reproductive-age population, standardized unbiased race-neutral guidelines for urine drug screening should be implemented using laboratory test results that include preliminary and reflex confirmatory results.

Midwifery Care of Pregnant Individuals Experiencing Opioid use Disorder: Changing Regulations, Complexities, and Call to Action

Opioid use disorder (OUD), overdose, and death have exploded in the United States in the past 2 decades. The number of pregnant and birthing people reporting opioid use and misuse is also rising. Co-occurring mental illness, multisubstance use, and associated medical comorbidities often complicate care for pregnant individuals with OUD. Neonates who are exposed to opioids in utero are at risk for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and other short- and long-term sequelae. Recent changes to the Department of Health and Human Services Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder have now provided a pathway for midwives to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) for up to 30 individuals at one time without further training or certification of ancillary services. Midwives have a key role to play in expanding the availability and quality of interprofessional care provided to individuals with OUD. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and American Society of Addiction Medicine, along with other professional organizations, provide toolkits and guidelines for the provision of MOUD for pregnant people. Midwives who care for individuals with OUD should be familiar with the unique needs of this population and resources to guide their care. This case study highlights midwives' essential role in treating OUD and co-occurring mental disorders.

Impact of prenatal substance use policies on commercially insured pregnant females with opioid use disorder

INTRODUCTION

States' approaches to addressing prenatal substance use are widely heterogeneous, ranging from supportive policies that enhance access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment to punitive policies that criminalize prenatal substance use. We studied the effect of these prenatal substance use policies (PSUPs) on medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, including buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone, psychosocial services for SUD treatment, opioid prescriptions, and opioid overdoses among commercially insured pregnant females with OUD. We evaluated: (1) punitive PSUPs criminalizing prenatal substance use or defining it as child maltreatment; (2) supportive PSUPs granting pregnant females priority access to SUD treatment; and (3) supportive PSUPs funding targeted SUD treatment programs for pregnant females.

METHODS

We analyzed 2006-2019 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters data. The longitudinal sample comprised females aged 15-45 with an OUD diagnosis at least once during the study period. We estimated fixed effects models that compared changes in outcomes between pregnant and nonpregnant females, in states with and without a PSUP, before and after PSUP implementation.

RESULTS

Our analytical sample comprised 2,438,875 person-quarters from 164,538 unique females, of which 13% were pregnant at least once during the study period. We found that following the implementation of PSUPs funding targeted SUD treatment programs, the proportion of opioid overdoses decreased 45% and of any OUD medication increased 11%, with buprenorphine driving this increase (13%). The implementation of SUD treatment priority PSUPs was not associated with significant changes in outcomes. Following punitive PSUP implementation, the proportion receiving psychosocial services for SUD (12%) and methadone (30%) services decreased. In specifications that estimated the impact of criminalizing policies only, the strongest type of punitive PSUP, opioid overdoses increased 45%.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that supportive approaches that enhance access to SUD treatment may effectively reduce adverse maternal outcomes associated with prenatal opioid use. In contrast, punitive approaches may have harmful effects. These findings support leading medical organizations' stance on PSUPs, which advocate for supportive policies that are centered on increased access to SUD treatment and safeguard against discrimination and stigmatization. Our findings also oppose punitive policies, as they may intensify marginalization of pregnant females with OUD seeking treatment.

"You have to take this medication, but then you get punished for taking it:" lack of agency, choice, and fear of medications to treat opioid use disorder across the perinatal period

INTRODUCTION

Medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) during pregnancy and in the postpartum period remain underutilized. A need exists to enhance our understanding of modifiable factors, facilitators, and barriers to MOUD utilization and adherence in the perinatal period to improve maternal and child outcomes.

METHODS

The study conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with recently pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD) to explore experiences as a pregnant and/or parenting person with OUD, perceptions of enabling factors and barriers to treatment utilization, incentivizing factors for maintaining adherence, and acceptability of ongoing supports to sustain treatment adherence. The study team used constant comparative methods to analyze transcripts and develop the codebook. The team double coded the transcripts, with an overall kappa coefficient of 0.88.

RESULTS

The study team interviewed twenty-six women on average 10.1 months after delivery. All women had some prior experience using MOUD. Four unique themes emerged as barriers to medication utilization and adherence in the perinatal period: 1) Lack of agency and autonomy surrounding medication decisions because pregnancy or parenting status affected treatment adherence; 2) Hesitancy to use MOUD to minimize risk of newborn withdrawal; 3) Concern about increased scrutiny and potential loss of custody due to mandated child protective services reporting for opioid-exposure at delivery in Massachusetts; and 4) Perception that treatment environments, particularly methadone clinics, did not provide gender-responsive or equitable care, and standardized, inflexible visit regulations were particularly difficult to comply with in the early postpartum period.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with OUD experienced a double bind when making perinatal treatment decisions, describing pressure to use MOUD with negative consequences after delivery. Key areas for possible intervention emerged from interviews. These areas include improving uptake of shared decision-making to increase patient autonomy and agency, particularly among those in the earliest stages of recovery during pregnancy; ongoing education around perinatal MOUD safety and efficacy; detangling MOUD and neonatal withdrawal signs from mandated child protective services reporting; and improving gender-responsive and equitable care in substance use disorder treatment programs, including incorporating the utilization of home visiting services for dosing assessments and administration in the early postpartum period.

Redefining Child Protection: Addressing the Harms of Structural Racism and Punitive Approaches for Birthing People, Dyads, and Families Affected by Substance Use

There has been growing attention on the effect of substance use, including opioid use disorder, on pregnant and birthing people and their infants. Although effective medication treatment for opioid use disorder is the standard of care, racial disparities are evident in access during pregnancy. Structural racism affects treatment access and approaches to reporting to child welfare services. Black people and their newborns are more likely to be drug tested in medical settings, and Black newborns are more likely to be reported to child welfare services. Child welfare models often focus on substance use as being the dominant issue that drives risk for abuse or neglect of a child, and current reporting practices, which vary by state, contribute to these disparities. This commentary proposes an alternate way of thinking about family-based support. We suggest changes to law, institutional policy, clinical care, and ideology. Specifically, we propose realigning around shared goals of supporting the birthing person-infant dyad and recognizing that substance use is not synonymous with abuse or neglect; creating an anonymous notification process outside of the child welfare system to meet federal data-collection requirements; limiting perinatal drug testing and requiring written, informed consent for parental and neonatal testing; and developing integrated care teams and hospital settings and policies that support dyadic care.

Outcomes of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Within the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry 2007-2020: Opportunities Within Midwifery-Led Care

BACKGROUND

Healthcare providers require data on associations between perinatal cannabis use and birth outcomes.

METHODS

This observational secondary analysis come from the largest perinatal data registry in the United States related to the midwifery-led birth center model care (American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry; N = 19 286). Births are planned across all birth settings (home, birth center, hospital); care is provided by midwives and physicians.

RESULTS

Population data show that both early and persistent self-reports of cannabis use were associated with higher rates of preterm birth, low-birth-weight, lower 1-minute Apgar score, gestational weight gain, and postpartum hemorrhage. Once controlled for medical and social risk factors using logistic regression, differences for childbearing people disappeared except that the persistent use group was less likely to experience "no intrapartum complications" (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.76; P < .01), more likely to experience an indeterminate fetal heart rate in labor (aOR = 3.218; 95% CI, 2.23-4.65; P < .05), chorioamnionitis (aOR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.58-5.0; P < .01), low-birth-weight (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.08-3.05; P < .01), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (aOR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.30-4.69; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Well-controlled data demonstrate that self-reports of persistent cannabis use through the third trimester are associated with an increased risk of low-birth-weight and NICU admission.

Informed consent is poorly documented when obtaining toxicology testing at delivery in a Massachusetts cohort

BACKGROUND

Positive toxicology testing at delivery can have enormous consequences for birthing persons and their families, including charges of child abuse or neglect and potential loss of custody for the birthing parent. Therefore state and national guidelines stipulate that, clinicians must obtain consent before toxicology testing at delivery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed (1) to determine clinician documentation of patient consent for peripartum toxicology testing and (2) to characterize the extent to which patient and hospital characteristics were associated with documented consent.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort of individuals who underwent toxicology testing within 96 hours of delivery between April 2016 and April 2020 at 5 affiliated hospitals across Massachusetts. Medical records were reviewed for documentation of clinician intent to obtain maternal toxicology, testing indication, verbal consent to testing, and child protective services involvement. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between patient and hospital characteristics and documentation of verbal consent.

RESULTS

Among 60,718 deliveries, 1562 maternal toxicology tests were obtained. Verbal consent for testing was documented in 466 cases (29.8%). Documented consent was lacking across most demographic groups. Consent was no more likely to be documented when a report was filed with child protective services and less likely in cases where the birthing parent lost custody before discharge (P=.003). In our multivariable model, consent was least likely to be documented when a maternal complication (abruption, hypertension, preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or intrauterine fetal demise) was the indication for testing (adjusted odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.76). Verbal consent was twice as likely to be documented in delivery hospitals with established consent policies (adjusted odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.37).

CONCLUSION

Consent for toxicology testing at delivery seemed to be infrequently obtained on the basis of clinician documentation. Provider education and hospital policies for obtaining informed consent are needed to protect the rights of birthing individuals.

Expanding Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Priority Areas: The Role of Certified Nurse-Midwives

INTRODUCTION

Perinatal opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity, and treatment has been definitively shown to improve outcomes for both. As of 2018, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) can prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD by obtaining a Drug Addiction Treatment Act waiver. This research aims to identify the number of CNMs who are waivered to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD and who practice in priority areas for treatment expansion.

METHODS

Through a descriptive study design, authors collected and analyzed publicly available data from August 2020 to January 2021. Using the software GeoDa, authors identified priority counties in the United States and the number of waivered and nonwaivered CNMs in these areas. Counties were designated as priority if they had drug-poisoning mortality rates in the top 20th percentile of all US counties and no health care providers waivered to treat OUD or had a waivered health care provider per population rate in the bottom 20th percentile.

RESULTS

Analysis identified 141 priority counties in 23 states concentrated in rural areas throughout the Appalachian region of the United States. Tennessee had the most priority counties of any state. As of 2020, only 26 CNMs in the United States were waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, none of whom practiced in priority counties. Of the CNMs practicing in priority counties and without waivers, 59% (39 of 66) practiced in states where CNMs have independent practice authority.

DISCUSSION

CNMs are uniquely positioned to treat perinatal OUD given their scope of practice as primary and reproductive health care providers, especially in rural, underserved areas. To increase the number of midwives prescribing buprenorphine and expand treatment access, researchers, educators, practice leaders, and policy makers must address barriers to and experiences of treating OUD.

What Recovery Means to Postpartum Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Introduction: Opioid overdose has become a leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths, particularly in the 1st year postpartum, highlighting the need to better understand how to promote recovery for postpartum women. This mixed-methods study aims to investigate how postpartum women receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) define recovery and factors associated with recovery progression or inhibition. Methods: Women receiving MOUD 2-6 months postpartum were recruited from an outpatient perinatal addiction clinic. Participants completed electronic measures including the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10, total score range: 6-60) and semistructured individual interviews. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s recovery framework served as the conceptual model for interview guide development. Descriptive statistics were generated for survey responses. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyze and report the interview data. Results: On average, participants (n = 8) were 28.6 years old and taking 19.5 mg/day buprenorphine (range 8-24). Fifty percent identified as white and 37.5% as black. All participants identified as currently in recovery, with mean BARC-10 score 52.5 (standard deviation 4.8). Recovery goals included no use of drugs or alcohol (62.5%), being a better partner/spouse (87.5%), and improving finances (87.5%). Interviews generated themes including recovery as transformative, building resilience, and transforming one's health, relationships, and environment through recovery. Conclusions: Participants defined recovery as a dynamic transformative process, including nonabstinence-based goals consistent with SAMHSA domains coupled with reduced substance use. Central to recovery for our postpartum participants was the sense of self reinforced throughout their recovery journey. Women highlighted the key role of MOUD in their recovery process. Findings underscore the need for individualized treatment for postpartum women with opioid use disorder based on their personal goals and will inform development of a validated, gender-informed measure of patient-reported recovery outcomes tailored for this population.

Does self-reported consumption of heroin correlate with dose of methadone among pregnant people with opioid use disorder?

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy is increasing in the United States. However, evidence to guide appropriate dosing of pharmacotherapy for treatment of OUD, such as methadone, based on self-reported opioid use during pregnancy is scant.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between self-reported consumption of heroin and methadone dose among pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD) admitted to the hospital for methadone (MTD) titration.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an analysis of a single-site retrospective cohort of pregnant people admitted for management of OUD at an urban, tertiary care center between 2013 and 2020. Patient-reported consumption of heroin was evaluated by clinical staff and described as self-reported dollar amount of heroin consumed per day. The primary outcome was MTD dose at the time of discharge. The secondary outcome was MTD dose at time of delivery. Bivariate and linear regression modeling were performed. A priori covariates included in the model were: epoch of admission, Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale score at time of admission, gestational age at admission, and need for readmission due to recurrent opioid use. A sensitivity analysis was performed using propensity score matching. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of 100 people admitted during the study period, 53 and 47 individuals met inclusion criteria for the primary and secondary outcome, respectively. On bivariate and multivariate linear regression modeling, self-reported dollar amount of heroin consumed per day was independently associated with dose of MTD at the time of discharge. For every ten dollars of heroin consumed, the dose of MTD increased by 1.3 mg (95% CI: 0.4 mg to 2.2 mg). On sensitivity analysis with use of a propensity score, self-reported dollar amount of heroin consumed per day was independently associated with dose of MTD at the time of discharge. There was no significant relationship between self-reported dollar amount of heroin consumed per day and MTD dose at time of delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported dollar amount of heroin consumed per day was independently associated with dose of MTD at the time of discharge, but not at time of delivery. These data can be useful in clinical counseling and management of pregnant people with OUD admitted for initiation of MTD.

Toxicology as a diagnostic tool to identify the misuse of drugs in the perinatal period

The use, misuse, and abuse of substances are a continued public health concern in this country and around the world. Perinatal exposure to substances of abuse is associated with several long-term negative consequences for the neonate. Limited resources exist to assist perinatal health professionals on this very complex subject. The purpose of this document is to provide additional information about selecting monitoring protocols, the specifics of appropriate testing methodologies, and the interpretation of toxicological findings. Understanding these concepts better allows perinatal healthcare professionals to be a voice for the voiceless in order to protect and enrich lives during this unprecedented opioid epidemic.