A Qualitative Exploration of Perinatal Opioid Users' Pain-Related Experiences.

BACKGROUND

Many pregnant and postpartum individuals who misuse prescription opioids report either physical or psychological pain. The pain-related factors underlying perinatal opioid misuse are poorly understood.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the pain-related experiences of individuals with histories of perinatal prescription opioid misuse.

DESIGN

This study used a qualitative descriptive design.

METHODS

Between October 2021 and July 2022, a convenience sample of 12 childbearing-aged females with histories of perinatal opioid misuse were recruited and individually interviewed about their pain-related experiences. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and manually coded using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve participants consented to participate and provided 14 interviews. Three major themes emerged to highlight participant's experiences with pain and misuse of prescription opioids: 1) pain sources, 2) impact of pain, and 3) pain management.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants indicated in their interviews their childhood and adult trauma experiences created risk of initiating misuse prior to pregnancy and continued prescription opioid misuse perinatally. Both psychological and physical pain experiences were stated by participants as frequently undertreated. Participants perceived undertreatment of both types of pain influenced decisions to self-manage with prescription opioid and illegal substances of abuse.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The participants' shared experiences provide insights for targeted pain-related nursing interventions that could help reduce the initiation and perpetuation of misuse and assist the journey to recovery.