Midwives Uniquely Suited to Deliver Woman-Centered Care and Decrease Stigma for Women With Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Midwives are being called to serve a growing population of vulnerable women, those with substance use disorders (SUDs). Increasing numbers of women across the lifespan are being diagnosed with SUDs. In addition, women with SUDs are experiencing very unique and distinct differences in stigma related to their substance use. This stigma is coming from varied sources and through many different forms including mislabeling, misinformation, the media, and a devalued maternal/child relationship. Mothers frequently experience different types of adverse health encounters during the perinatal and postpartum period that also contribute to stigma. Midwives are positioned to provide woman-centered care in a variety of practice settings as integral members of interprofessional teams. Midwives can decrease the stigma women with SUDs are experiencing while improving the health of women, mothers, and families worldwide.

Outcomes of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Within the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry 2007-2020

“…15,19,20 The role of midwifery-led care, rooted in cultural humility and cultural rigor, is to partner with communities and engage in stress relief, holistic coping skill development, and wellness. [21][22][23][24] Midwifery care within a multidisciplinary healthcare system supports the development of a professional-client relationship that supports selfdisclosure, education, and harm-reduction behavior in a shared decision-making framework. 18 The purpose of this research was to use a perinatal data registry that represents the midwifery-led model of care to examine self-disclosure of cannabis use during pregnancy and evaluate outcomes for birthing people and neonates in effort to inform practice and policy.…”

“…Treatment and referral options may need to be discussed for nausea, polysubstance use, mental health disorders, and pain management 15,19,20. The role of midwifery-led care, rooted in cultural humility and cultural rigor, is to partner with communities and engage in stress relief, holistic coping skill development, and wellness 21–24. Midwifery care within a multidisciplinary healthcare system supports the development of a professional-client relationship that supports self-disclosure, education, and harm-reduction behavior in a shared decision-making framework 18…”