What is the current rate of opioid use in pregnant women in California?

As of 2020, 0.33% of pregnant women in California were using opioids, a significant increase from 0.14% in 2008.

How does opioid use affect pregnancy outcomes according to the OHSU study?

The study found higher rates of delivery complications, preterm births, infant mortality, and neonatal intensive care for babies of mothers using opioids.

What barriers do pregnant patients with opioid use disorders face in Oregon?

In Oregon, only one in four residential treatment programs offer care for pregnant individuals, and some counties lack any obstetric or addiction care resources.

Home / Health / Opioid Use in Pregnancy Doubles

Opioid Use in Pregnancy Doubles

2 Jan

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Summary

Opioid use among expecting mothers more than doubled from 2008 to 2020.
Women using opioids during pregnancy face higher risks of delivery complications.
Infants born to opioid-using mothers have a significantly increased risk of mortality.

The rate of opioid use among pregnant women has more than doubled over the past decade, with a study showing a rise from 0.14% in 2008 to 0.33% in 2020. This alarming trend, tracked through over 5.5 million pregnancies in California, highlights significant risks for both mothers and newborns.

Women who used opioids during pregnancy were found to be twice as likely to experience delivery complications and 71% more prone to preterm births. The study also indicated a 72% higher risk of infant mortality and a 2.8 times greater likelihood of requiring neonatal intensive care for their babies.

Experts emphasize that addiction medicine must become an integral part of prenatal care, addressing barriers to treatment for pregnant individuals. Early intervention and personalized, multidisciplinary care are crucial for improving outcomes for these families.