Lessons from Maternal Mortality Reviews. How Addiction Care Providers can help improve Outcomes for Pregnant, Postpartum, and Parenting people.

BACKGROUND

Drug-related deaths, including accidental and intentional overdose and other drug-related causes, are among the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States.

ANALYSIS: Addiction care providers can contribute to efforts to decrease maternal mortality related to substance use disorder. In this report, we review current research to inform the care of pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorder (SUD) to address rising drug-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A multidisciplinary approach to the care of pregnant people with SUD should include prioritizing SUD and mental health treatment, helping them access services such as housing, transportation, and nutrition programs, and providing extended care for at least the year after end of a pregnancy. Efforts to improve care for childbearing people promote health and well-being for everyone.