Substance use during pregnancy (or “prenatal substance use”) is becoming more common. Overdose and substance-related suicide are the leading preventable causes of maternal mortality, and prenatal substance use can increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, developmental disabilities, preterm birth, low birth weight, and decreased school readiness. State policy approaches to prenatal substance use vary widely, and mounting evidence indicates that treatment-oriented approaches are associated with better outcomes for children and families. This blog presents three categories of state policy approaches, with examples, and offers evidence of their effectiveness, based on available literature and correspondence with an addiction medication professional.

What’s Working (or Not) in State Policies for Substance Use During Pregnancy – Child Trends – ChildTrends