"Someone is there with you through this [pregnancy] that isn't seeing you through a negative lens": Considerations for integrating doula referrals into opioid treatment programs.

Introduction: Pregnancy-associated mortality involving opioids represents a significant public health issue. Limited social support is a known factor, contributing to a more complex recovery and a greater risk for relapse and overdose. Community-based doulas have been used in other marginalized populations yet are under-studied among pregnant and parenting persons with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

Scarce perinatal social support for women with OUD: Opportunities for doula services.

Problem: Persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) often lack social support, which is associated with improved recovery outcomes.

Background: In the last two decades, the rate of opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant people has quadrupled.

Question: This study aimed to describe the prenatal and postpartum social support networks and needs of persons with OUD and assess perceived acceptability of community-based social supports such as doulas.

Philadelphia Department of Health Doula Support Program: Early Successes and Challenges of a Program Serving Birthing People Affected by Substance Use Disorder.

Purpose: Maternal substance use and deaths due to overdoses are increasing nationwide. Evidence suggests that the rate of resumed substance use, and fatal and non-fatal overdose is greatest in the first year after birth, particularly around six months postpartum, compared to other parts of the perinatal period. Doula care has been linked to improvements in perinatal health and outcomes.