August 2021 Blog -

The opioid epidemic has had a devastating effect on mothers and children. We must do more to educate, prevent addiction, and provide resources for those who are addicted.

posted on 8/5/2021 in BLOGS from St. Anthony

It is no secret that our country has an opioid epidemic and its effect on mothers can be detrimental. In many cases, the addiction starts during pregnancy. With the high rates of maternal opioid use, there are concerns about what this means for mom and baby health.

The CDC reports that about 1 in 10 pregnant women are using opioids. Opioid use disorder has gone up more than 4 times among pregnant women.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held Aug. 31 each year to remember those gone too soon from overdose deaths. Addressing the Opioid Epidemic from preventative measures to ensuring healthy moms-to-be have access to resources they need before, during, and after birth is something everybody needs to take seriously. Here is some information about Opioid use during pregnancy according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Opioid use disorder during pregnancy has been linked to:

• Preterm Birth
• Low Birthweight
• Breathing Problems
• Feeding Problems
• Maternal Mortality

CDC’s Response

• Conducting surveillance using the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to document substance use before and during pregnancy among mothers who recently gave birth.
• Issuing guidance on opioid prescribing for chronic pain, including for pregnant women.
• Building state capacity to better identify women with OUD during pregnancy and standardize care for mothers and NAS-affected infants through perinatal quality collaboratives (PQCs).
• Improving data quality and standardization for pregnancy-associated overdose deaths to inform prevention.
• Monitoring and reporting on the incidence of NAS.

The opioid epidemic has had a devastating effect on mothers and children. We must do more to educate, prevent addiction, and provide resources for those who are addicted. At St. Anthony Regional Hospital, we are committed to providing you what you need to improve and maintain your health. We serve you by working for our core values: Compassion, Responsibility, Responsiveness, Teamwork, Dignity & Respect, Integrity. Our patients see these words in action through the high quality care we provide from our experienced health care professionals. 

_{Sources:
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/opioids/international-overdose-awareness-day
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/substance-abuse/substance-abuse-during-pregnancy.htm}

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