Pregnancy & Opioids Guide

INTRODUCTION

Is there a young woman in your life who is pregnant and misusing or addicted to opioids? Perhaps it’s your daughter or granddaughter, your son’s girlfriend or wife, a niece or a friend. Here you’ll find information to help her have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

You, along with family and friends, may be worried about her opioid use and how it might affect her baby. Opioids include heroin, fentanyl and prescription pain medications like Oxycontin®, Vicodin® and Percocet®.

An addiction to opioids is called an opioid use disorder and it is a treatable illness. With comprehensive treatment and good prenatal care, the mother-to-be can reduce the risks to both herself and the baby.

In this guide you will find information about helping the mother-to-be with comprehensive prenatal care, treatment, delivery, newborn health, breastfeeding, social supports and what to expect in the weeks and months after delivery.

As someone who cares about the mother and her baby, you have an opportunity to offer help and support to start her on the road to recovery and to deliver a healthy child.