Understanding Surveillance Experiences of Pregnant Women in Drug Treatment

A recent study utilizing longitudinal qualitative methods sheds light on the care experiences of women dependent on drugs during pregnancy. It emphasizes their feelings of anxiety and vulnerability related to social work referrals and the risk of losing custody of their babies. The research, conducted across four sites in England and Scotland, involved 36 women in treatment for various substances such as opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines, many of whom had previous children removed by authorities. Participants reported managing stigma associated with drug use and felt that multi-agency monitoring and child protection procedures often retraumatized them, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and uncertainty. Despite the recognition of pregnancy as a potential opportunity for drug treatment, many women concealed their substance use due to fear of social services involvement, especially those with prior custody loss. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed, sensitive, and humane approaches in prenatal care that respect women's fears and promote social justice. Additionally, researchers are collaborating with the Outside Edge Theatre Company to create a theatrical piece aimed at fostering better understanding among healthcare and social work professionals. The findings underscore the importance of responsive, non-intrusive service engagement to support women and their babies effectively.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-exploring-surveillance-prenatal-women-treatment.html