TY - JOUR AU - D. J. Moore AU - A. Butzlaff A1 - AB - BACKGROUND: Intentional or accidental drug-overdose is a leading cause of mortality in U.S. women of child-bearing age. Opioid use during pregnancy is not only associated with maternal overdose, but with low birth weight at term and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Buprenorphine was approved as a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in the United States in 2002 and is for many women, a preferred treatment option versus methadone. Buprenorphine is relatively safe during pregnancy and is associated with lower rates of NAS than methadone. Given the importance of MOUD during pregnancy, relatively little information exists regarding patients' questions and concerns about buprenorphine treatment, including the psychological challenges they face. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to describe the perinatal concerns of women with opioid use disorder who posted to an online suboxone forum. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive design to analyze some 170 posts from mothers with OUD to an online Suboxone(®) support forum over the period 2016-2021. RESULTS: The analysis of the interview data revealed 4 important themes: (a) Stigma resulting in self-deprecation, low self-esteem, and low self-efficacy; (b) stigma from family members and loved ones; (c) stigma from the medical profession; and (d) stigma from the community at-large (social stigma). CONCLUSIONS: There is compelling evidence to emphasize the importance of open communication and support between medical personnel and patients to ensure optimal outcomes for mother and baby. AD - Dorothy J. Moore, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA.; Alice Butzlaff, PhD, APRN, FNP-C, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA. AN - 37038973 BT - J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Disparities CP - 3 DA - May-Jun DO - 10.1177/10783903231166670 DP - NLM ET - 20230411 IS - 3 JF - J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc LA - eng N2 - BACKGROUND: Intentional or accidental drug-overdose is a leading cause of mortality in U.S. women of child-bearing age. Opioid use during pregnancy is not only associated with maternal overdose, but with low birth weight at term and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Buprenorphine was approved as a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in the United States in 2002 and is for many women, a preferred treatment option versus methadone. Buprenorphine is relatively safe during pregnancy and is associated with lower rates of NAS than methadone. Given the importance of MOUD during pregnancy, relatively little information exists regarding patients' questions and concerns about buprenorphine treatment, including the psychological challenges they face. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to describe the perinatal concerns of women with opioid use disorder who posted to an online suboxone forum. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive design to analyze some 170 posts from mothers with OUD to an online Suboxone(®) support forum over the period 2016-2021. RESULTS: The analysis of the interview data revealed 4 important themes: (a) Stigma resulting in self-deprecation, low self-esteem, and low self-efficacy; (b) stigma from family members and loved ones; (c) stigma from the medical profession; and (d) stigma from the community at-large (social stigma). CONCLUSIONS: There is compelling evidence to emphasize the importance of open communication and support between medical personnel and patients to ensure optimal outcomes for mother and baby. PY - 2023 SN - 1078-3903 SP - 185 EP - 193+ ST - "Will My Baby Be OK?" A Qualitative Analysis of Pregnant Women's Suboxone(®) Online Forum Posts T1 - "Will My Baby Be OK?" A Qualitative Analysis of Pregnant Women's Suboxone(®) Online Forum Posts T2 - J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc TI - "Will My Baby Be OK?" A Qualitative Analysis of Pregnant Women's Suboxone(®) Online Forum Posts U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Disparities U3 - 10.1177/10783903231166670 VL - 29 VO - 1078-3903 Y1 - 2023 ER -