Module Description: Opioid use disorder (OUD) among women and people who become pregnant is increasing in prevalence in clinical settings. The standard of care is to provide buprenorphine or methadone as a part of a complete treatment approach during pregnancy and beyond the postpartum period. This module reviews the historical and current context of opioid use among women and birthing people during pregnancy. It compares pharmacological treatment options for women and people who become pregnant with an OUD and also discusses the issues with detoxification or medically assisted withdrawal from opioids during pregnancy. Issues related to the treatment of OUD during pregnancy and in the postpartum period for the birthing person, fetus and child will also be discussed (e.g., induction, dosing, pain management, neonatal withdrawal and how to reduce its severity). 

Educational Objectives

• Name at least two historical and current influences of the opioid crisis that affect pregnant people
• Compare and contrast the risks and benefits of medication to treat opioid use disorder versus medication-assisted withdrawal for the effective treatment of patients with OUD during pregnancy and the postpartum period
• Compare and contrast the risks and benefits of methadone and buprenorphine treatment during pregnancy for birthing person, fetus and child 
• Identify at least three factors that are associated with reducing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)/ neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) severity among babies that are prenatally exposed to methadone or buprenorphine