Stigmatization of Pregnant Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to critically analyze the role of stigma in the care of pregnant and parenting individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) through the theoretical lens of the Reproductive Justice (RJ) framework. Overdose related maternal mortality, often involving opioids, is a national growing public health concern. OUD is a highly stigmatized condition that may negatively influence the well-being of pregnant/parenting individual's reproductive and human rights.

A life-course theory exploration of opioid-related maternal mortality in the United States.

Background And Aims: Between 2007 and 2016, pregnancy-associated mortality resulting from overdose more than doubled in the United States. This study explored the circumstances surrounding maternal opioid-related morbidity and mortality, using the life-course theory as a sensitizing framework to examine how each participant's life-course contributed to her substance use, relapse, recovery or overdose.

Design: A mixed-methods study using semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews and focus groups were conducted.