Prenatal Education for Pregnant Parents on Opioid Agonist Therapy in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Qualitative Study

Women on opioid agonist therapy often enter labour with limited information about neonatal withdrawal, newborn care, and hospital routines. Stigma and fear of child protection involvement can further limit communication. This study explored parents' information needs regarding opioid agonist therapy and newborn care. Seven virtual in-depth interviews were conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. Participants described inconsistent prenatal education on neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, hospitalization, and newborn care. Concerns about NICU admission, child protection involvement, dosing changes, and judgment shaped their information needs. Supportive nurses and family aided learning, while noise, limited privacy, stigma, and delayed dosing created barriers. Findings show stress-driven information needs and uneven communication. Four targets are identified: tailored prenatal education, reliable in-hospital therapy continuity, trauma-informed communication, and improved privacy.