Opioid prescribing patterns among postpartum women

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pain Management
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Opioid prescriptions are common for women post-hospitalization.
• Understanding postpartum opioid prescribing is crucial due to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
• There is limited knowledge on opioid prescribing patterns at postpartum discharge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe opioid prescribing patterns at discharge following delivery.
• To examine the relationship between prescribed opioid amounts and pain assessments (subjective and objective) before discharge.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of deliveries at a tertiary care center.
• Included women discharged with or without opioid prescriptions.
• Analyzed prescription details (morphine milligram equivalents) and pain scores/inpatient opioid use.

Main Results:

• 30.4% of vaginal and 86.7% of cesarean delivery patients received opioids.
• Median prescribed opioids: 200 MME (vaginal) and 300 MME (cesarean).
• Prescribed opioid amounts did not correlate with patient-reported pain or prior 24-hour opioid consumption.

Conclusions:

• Postpartum women commonly receive opioid prescriptions, with significant variability in amounts.
• Current prescribing lacks standardization and does not appear guided by objective or subjective pain measures.
• Further research is needed to establish evidence-based, standardized postpartum opioid prescribing guidelines.