'My Healthcare Journey Through Pregnancy and Substance Use' v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
''My Healthcare Journey Through Pregnancy and Substance Use''. An Investigation of the Lived Experience of the Healthcare Journeys of Women with Opioid Use Disorder Who Become Pregnant.
IRAS ID
322110
Contact name
Susan Elkington
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
This is a qualitative cross-sectional research project which investigates the lived experience of women with opioid use disorder (OUD) who become pregnant, and their journey through a complex journey of peri-natal and post-partum healthcare.
The research is being conducted in two London NHS Trusts. Women aged between 18-45 years old who have received a diagnosis of opioid dependency, adopted opioid substitution therapy (OST) (e.g methadone) and who are between 24-weeks pregnant to 24 months post birth, will be eligible to take part. The study will last for 18 months, during which time, each woman will be interviewed once. Data generated will be transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). Patterns and themes will be summarised in a report and submitted as part of a Doctoral thesis (October 2024) and disseminated within the participating Trusts (Dec 2024-June 2025)
The treatment of pregnant mothers with an OUD includes the assessment and treatment of the addiction disorder, initiation of OST, specialised maternity care, the monitoring for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), as well as psychosocial and onward social support (Public Health England (2017) and National Institute for Clinical Excellence.) OUD is defined as the use and dependency on illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl.
Data indicates that 4.2% of opiate users presenting to substance abuse clinics are pregnant, and 58% of females receiving substance abuse treatment are parents or lived with children (Public Health England, [PHE] 2019).
This population is under-researched. The study addresses a research gap in our understanding of a young female population suffering from OUD. The research aims to investigate and understand the experience and understanding from this group at different points of this complex journey of specialised healthcare.
It aims to inform current practice, interventions and services aimed at supporting women with OUD who become pregnant.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0042
Date of REC Opinion
25 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion