Thoughts about labor and delivery, for most pregnant women, are riddled with questions and anxiety about the unknown. For the pregnant woman with opioid use disorder (OUD), there is an additional layer of stress, emotions, and anxiety related to childbirth and motherhood associated with her path to wellness and recovery. After having built relationships and trust with her prenatal care team, the thought of transitioning care to a new team of providers in the L&D unit can cause additional stress for the mother with OUD. She may or may not have already met or had an opportunity to build trust and relationships with this staff and may question their motives, feel judged, and begin to worry that her newborn will be taken from her or that her pain will not be managed due to her OUD status.
Providing education about expected health care services and processes is associated with social and psychological benefits including reduced fears and anxiety, and provides patients with an opportunity to ask questions, thus increasing a patient’s overall knowledge related to the anticipated experience. Providing education on what to expect in the hospital during a prenatal care appointment can reinforce previously received childbirth education and/or facilitate education for those who were unable or chose not to attend.
The “what to expect in the hospital” conversation during a prenatal care appointment is an opportunity to introduce the new L&D team and to discuss goals and options for pain management and institutional screening and drug testing. It is also an opportunity to address and debunk any myths or untruths about the upcoming experience, especially regarding social and child welfare referrals and support. Transparency in the provision of information shows that providers care and facilitates continued engagement by the mother with OUD in the development of a Plan of Safe Care and self-management. Ultimately these efforts increase coping skills and support the increased likelihood of a positive labor experience.
