Trusted contraception information sources for individuals with opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE (STUDY QUESTION): To identify trusted sources of contraception information among pregnancy-capable individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: We conducted interviews between October 2018 and January 2019 at Boston Medical Center, a university-based tertiary care center. STUDY DESIGN: Data were drawn from semi-structured qualitative interviews with a convenience sample of 20 pregnant or recently pregnant individuals with OUD. We used the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, a health decision making conceptual model, to structure our interviews. We analyzed the data using inductive and deductive coding. DATA COLLECTION/ EXTRACTION METHODS: Not applicable. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Pregnancy-capable individuals who use opioids value friends who are not actively using opioids, including peers in recovery homes, as trusted sources of contraception information. They also value internet resources, including websites recommended by clinicians and social media posts, and established clinical providers as reliable sources of contraception information in ways that emulate individuals with other chronic medical conditions.  CONCLUSION: These sources of contraception information may explain some trends in contraceptive use among individuals with OUD, inform nonstigmatizing contraceptive counseling, and serve as a foundation for improved decision support.

Contraceptive decision making among pregnancy-capable individuals with opioid use disorder at a tertiary care center in Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVE: To explore contraceptive decision making among recently pregnant patients with a history of opioid use disorder. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews, based on principles of the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, with 20 recently pregnant individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder at a tertiary care medical center in Massachusetts. We audio-recorded the interviews and they were transcribed verbatim. We analyzed our interview data using inductive and deductive coding. RESULTS: Participants value the availability of barrier methods as a means of preventing both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. For some participants, housing instability makes storing contraceptive methods and managing personal hygiene related to bleeding patterns difficult. For others, housing instability impacts their overall fertility goals. Side effects including weight gain, interactions with mood stabilizing medications, concern regarding post-operative opioids, or intrinsic aspects of a method that serve as reminders of opioid use may be unacceptable given the risk of relapse. The relapsing and remitting arc of recovery make remembering important aspects of both short- and long-acting contraceptive method use difficult, yet participants offer strategies to aid in doing so. CONCLUSION: When choosing a contraceptive method participants in our study exhibit similarities to individuals with other chronic medical conditions as well as motivations specific to opioid use disorder. Their contraceptive decisions are grounded in integrating a method into a chaotic life, preventing relapse, and protecting future fertility. IMPLICATIONS: Our data highlight how lived experiences at the intersection of active opioid use disorder and recovery fundamentally shape the lens through which pregnancy-capable individuals with opioid use disorder view their contraceptive decisions.

The labor and birth experience of women with opioid use disorder: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the experience of pregnancy and childbirth from the perspective of women with opioid use disorder. METHODS: This qualitative study analyzed semi-structured interviews about the prenatal care and birth experience of nine women with opioid use disorder as a sub-analysis of a qualitative study of women with a history of sexual trauma. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Analysis revealed unique interactions with the healthcare system specific to pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Participants identified pregnancy as a reason to enter and maintain recovery and an increased availability of resources when pregnant. Yet during labor and birth, concerns regarding pain control, child protective services involvement and provider stigma led to negative interactions with the healthcare system. CONCLUSION: Pregnant woman with opioid use disorder face unique challenges when seeking care. The perspectives of women with a history of opioid use disorder can inform creation of a harm reduction, non-stigmatizing model of prenatal, labor and birth, and postpartum care.

Pregnancy and Childbirth After Sexual Trauma: Patient Perspectives and Care Preferences.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pregnancy and childbirth experiences and preferences of women with a history of sexual trauma in order to identify trauma-informed care practices that health care providers may use to improve obstetric care. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study consisting of semistructured interviews with women who either self-identified as having a history of sexual trauma or did not. Participants were recruited from a tertiary care ambulatory clinic and had at least one birth experience within the past 3 years. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory was used to derive themes using the participants' own words. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2017, we interviewed 20 women with a history of sexual trauma and 10 without. Women with a history of sexual trauma desired clear communication about their history between prenatal care providers and the labor and delivery team. In the intrapartum period, they desired control over who was present in the labor room at the time of cervical examinations and for health care providers to avoid language that served as a stressing reminder of prior sexual trauma. They wanted control over the exposure of their bodies during labor and to be asked about their preference for a male health care provider. In the postpartum period, some women with a history of sexual trauma found breastfeeding healing and empowering. CONCLUSION: Women with a history of sexual trauma have clear needs, preferences, and recommendations for obstetric care providers regarding disclosure, cervical examinations, health care provider language, body exposure, and male health care providers. They offer insight into unique breastfeeding challenges and benefits.

Hyperparathyroidism in Pregnancy Leading to Pancreatitis and Preeclampsia with Severe Features.

Background. Hyperparathyroidism is underdiagnosed in pregnancy, yet early diagnosis is necessary for the potentially severe sequelae of hypercalcemia for both the woman and fetus. Case. A 31-year-old, gravida 3, para 0-0-2-0 at 32 weeks and 3 days of gestation, presented with preeclampsia with severe features concomitant with acute pancreatitis and known diabetes mellitus type 2. She was stabilized and delivered. In the postpartum period, her total calcium level remained elevated. Ionized calcium levels and parathyroid hormone levels were also elevated, and she was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. Conclusion. Hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia are risk factors for pancreatitis. Women who develop pancreatitis during pregnancy are at increased risk of developing preeclampsia. If elevated serum calcium is noted, it should be confirmed with ionized calcium level and parathyroid hormones as ionized calcium levels are unaffected by pregnancy.