Pregnancy can be a time of hope, change, and uncertainty. For a woman experiencing opioid use disorder, it may also bring fear about her health, her baby, withdrawal, stigma, or asking for help. At Newport Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, we want pregnant women and their families to know one important truth:
Opioid use disorder is a treatable health condition. Pregnant women deserve compassionate, confidential, evidence-based care—not judgment.
What Is MOUD?
MOUD stands for Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. It combines an FDA-approved medication with counseling, medical care, behavioral-health treatment, peer support, and recovery planning. Buprenorphine and methadone are the primary medications recommended for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. These medications help stabilize the body, reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal, and support continued participation in prenatal care and substance use disorder treatment. The CDC reports that the benefits of taking MOUD as prescribed during pregnancy generally outweigh the risks. Read the CDC guidance.
MOUD Is Treatment—Not Replacing One Drug With Another
A common misconception is that MOUD simply replaces one substance with another. That is not accurate. When prescribed and monitored appropriately, MOUD provides a stable medication dose without the unpredictable cycles of intoxication, cravings, and withdrawal associated with uncontrolled opioid use. Stabilization allows a pregnant woman to focus on prenatal care, nutrition, housing, emotional health, family relationships, and preparation for her baby.
MOUD can help:
- Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Reduce the risk of returning to uncontrolled opioid use
- Lower the risk of overdose
- Improve engagement in prenatal and behavioral healthcare
- Reduce exposure to fentanyl and other unpredictable substances
- Support emotional and physical stability
- Improve treatment retention
- Create a foundation for continued recovery after delivery
Do Not Suddenly Stop Using Opioids or MOUD During Pregnancy
A pregnant woman should not suddenly stop opioids, buprenorphine, methadone, or another prescribed medication without medical guidance. Rapidly stopping opioids during pregnancy can cause withdrawal and may lead to serious complications. Current clinical recommendations favor MOUD rather than withdrawal alone because MOUD is associated with better treatment retention and a lower risk of recurrence.
The CDC identifies methadone and buprenorphine as first-line treatment options for pregnant women with opioid use disorder and recommends coordination between prenatal providers and clinicians experienced in treating opioid use disorder. Review the CDC treatment recommendations. Any medication change should be planned with the prescribing clinician, obstetric provider, and other members of the woman’s healthcare team.
What About Withdrawal Symptoms in the Baby?
Some babies exposed to opioids, including prescribed MOUD, may experience Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, or NOWS, after birth. Symptoms may include irritability, tremors, difficulty sleeping, feeding problems, vomiting, sweating, or loose stools. Not every exposed baby develops NOWS, and symptoms can be monitored and treated by the newborn’s healthcare team. The possibility of NOWS should not prevent a pregnant woman from receiving evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
Untreated opioid use disorder can expose both mother and baby to greater risks, including overdose, inconsistent prenatal care, unpredictable fentanyl exposure, infection, preterm birth, and other complications. Treatment decisions should consider the well-being of both mother and baby.
How Newport Supports Pregnant Women
Newport provides coordinated, person-centered care for pregnant women with opioid use disorder and co-occurring mental health needs.
Comprehensive Assessment
- Treatment begins with a confidential assessment of:
- Current opioid and other substance use
- Withdrawal and overdose risk
- Pregnancy and prenatal-care status
- Current medications
- Medical and psychiatric conditions
- Depression, anxiety, trauma, and safety concerns
- Housing, transportation, and family-support needs
- Previous treatment experiences
- The patient’s preferences, strengths, and recovery goals
The assessment helps determine the safest and most appropriate treatment plan.
Medication Treatment
When clinically appropriate, Newport’s qualified medical providers may incorporate buprenorphine-based MOUD into an individualized treatment plan. Medication decisions are made collaboratively after considering the pregnancy, medical history, current opioid exposure, withdrawal risk, treatment history, and patient preference. When another medication or treatment setting is more appropriate, Newport helps coordinate referral and continued care with the appropriate provider.
Prenatal and Medical Coordination
Behavioral-health treatment should not occur separately from pregnancy care. With the patient’s written authorization, Newport can coordinate with:
- Obstetricians and prenatal providers
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists
- Hospitals and delivery teams
- Primary-care providers
- Pediatric and newborn-care providers
- Other authorized community supports
Coordinated care helps providers understand the treatment plan, prepare for delivery, monitor the baby when necessary, and support continuity after birth.
Counseling and Behavioral-Health Services
Medication is only one part of recovery. Newport offers services that may include:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Medication management
- Trauma-informed treatment
- Relapse-prevention education
- Overdose-prevention education
- Family education
- Case management
- Peer recovery support
- SMART Recovery
- Care coordination
Treatment addresses the whole person, including emotional health, relationships, trauma, grief, parenting concerns, and practical barriers to recovery.
Overdose Prevention
Pregnancy does not eliminate the risk of overdose. Newport provides overdose-prevention education and information about naloxone. Patients and family members should understand how to recognize an overdose, administer naloxone, and call 911.
Support After Delivery
The postpartum period can bring sleep disruption, hormonal changes, pain, anxiety, depression, parenting demands,and increased vulnerability to recurrence and overdose. Treatment should not end when the baby is born.
Newport helps patients plan for:
- Continued MOUD
- Postpartum medical and psychiatric care
- Depression and anxiety screening
- Counseling and peer support
- Safe pain-management discussions
- Family and parenting support
- Overdose-prevention planning
- Ongoing recovery services
- Coordination with pediatric providers
- Stable housing and community resources
Medication should not be reduced or discontinued after delivery without careful medical supervision.
Help Is Available Even Without Insurance
Pregnant women should not delay treatment because they are uninsured or uncertain about their benefits. Eligible Georgia residents with an opioid use disorder may qualify for certain treatment, medication, counseling, peersupport, and care-coordination services at no cost through available funded programs. Eligibility depends on clinical need, program requirements, funding availability, and service capacity.
Newport’s Admissions Team can verify insurance benefits and help uninsured patients explore available treatment
options.
Take the First Step Today
Recovery during pregnancy is possible. Asking for help is an act of courage and protection for both mother and
baby.
- Call Newport Integrated Behavioral Healthcare:
- Main/Triage: 404-289-8223, ext. 234
- Outpatient and MOUD Services: 404-289-8223, ext. 233
- Toll-Free: 855-322-2850
- Email: info@nibhinc.com
Tell the Admissions Team that you are pregnant and need information about treatment for opioid use disorder. Newport will help identify the safest and most appropriate next step. If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, experiencing an overdose, or facing another medical emergency, administer naloxone if available and call 911 immediately.
This article is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Pregnant or postpartum patients should consult qualified medical and obstetric providers before starting, stopping, or changing any medication
