Maternal Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)-CME Paid Option-Maternal Opioid Use Disorder-Video

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Rachel Duncan, a clinical pharmacist in perinatal addiction care, explains that maternal opioid use disorder is a major contributor to pregnancy-associated deaths, especially overdose in the postpartum period. She emphasizes that only about half of pregnant patients with opioid use disorder receive medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), despite strong recommendations from major medical organizations. <br /><br />The talk reviews evidence that buprenorphine and methadone are standard, safe, and effective treatments that improve outcomes for both mother and baby, with treatment being far safer than untreated opioid use disorder. She also highlights the importance of universal screening, SBIRT, trauma-informed communication, and moving away from toxicology testing as a primary diagnostic approach. <br /><br />Additional focus areas include integrated care for co-occurring mental health and polysubstance use, warm handoffs, care coordination, and plans of safe care. Duncan stresses harm reduction, especially naloxone distribution and overdose education, as well as reducing stigma through person-first language and patient-centered workflows. The central message is to treat perinatal substance use as a chronic medical condition requiring compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based care.

Keywords

perinatal addiction care

opioid use disorder

medications for opioid use disorder

buprenorphine

methadone

universal screening

harm reduction

naloxone distribution