"I'm Doing the Best That I Can for Her": Infant-Feeding Decisions of Mothers Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for an Opioid Use Disorder.

Background: Several professional health organizations have made statements endorsing the safety of breastfeeding for women taking medication-assisted treatment for an opioid use disorder. Yet, breastfeeding initiation rates for this population are approximately 50% lower than the general United States' population. Furthermore, little is known about what influences the infant-feeding decisions of these women.

The Mothering Experiences of Women With Substance Use Disorders.

The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the mothering experiences of women with substance use disorders. We conducted semistructured, individual interviews with 15 mothers. Using thematic analysis, 5 themes were identified: (1) facing the reality of a pregnancy complicated by substance use, trauma, and loss, (2) finding a higher meaning, (3) dealing with the consequences, (4) managing the details of daily life, and (5) looking toward a future with my children.