OTP 14: Opioid Treatment During Pregnancy
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The organization provides comprehensive, coordinated treatment
services that address medical, prenatal, obstetrical, psychosocial, and addiction concerns.
Interpretation: This standard requires the organization to retain women who become pregnant during treatment.
The organization coordinates and provides prenatal care for pregnant women, including a health
evaluation, either directly or by referral to outside medical services, to address their
special needs.
Pregnant women who receive opioid treatment are informed about the possible risks associated with:
- the effects of treatment on unborn children;
- continued use of drugs; and
- withdrawal from opioid treatment medication during pregnancy.
When withdrawal from opioid treatment medication is initiated for pregnant women, such withdrawal:
- is conducted under the supervision of a physician;
- takes place, when possible, in a prenatal unit equipped with fetal monitoring equipment and with regular fetal assessments; and
- is not initiated before 14 weeks, nor after 32 weeks, gestation.
Interpretation: The standard requires a pregnancy test to be performed before withdrawal is initiated.
Pregnant women participating in opioid treatment are monitored throughout the stages of pregnancy regarding appropriate dosage.
The organization provides parent education and support groups, directly or by referral, to improve mother-
infant interactions.
Interpretation: Parent education addresses issues to improve mother-infant interactions related to maternal, physical, and dietary care, including topics such as the promotion of breast-feeding.
Addicted newborns are monitored to assess the onset, progression, and/or diminution of symptoms of withdrawal and the effectiveness of treatment agents.
Interpretation: Programs that do not have responsibility for the care and treatment of newborns should provide education, information, and referral to ensure that mothers who have infants that may be susceptible to health issues seek comprehensive evaluation and treatment for the infant.