How does opioid use disorder affect prenatal care?

If you use opioids during pregnancy or have opioid use disorder during pregnancy, depending on your individual situation, your doctor might:

• Test you for sexually transmitted infections and other infectious diseases more frequently
• Screen you for depression and other behavioral health conditions
• Recommend a first trimester ultrasound to accurately date your pregnancy
• Consult with various specialists to meet your and your baby's health care needs
• Screen for and discuss use of other substances, such as tobacco
• Discuss a pain management plan during labor based on your individual needs and desires
• Encourage breast-feeding, as long as you are stable on your opioid substitute medication, not using illicit drugs and have no other contraindications
• Recommend that you continue your opioid substitution medication after delivery to prevent relapse
• Discuss with you contraceptive options after delivery

If you have acute pain during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about the safest treatment options. If you are pregnant and think you might have developed an opioid use problem, talk to your health care provider right away. He or she can help you get the treatment needed to protect your and your baby's health.