Originally presented live at the 2026 Kentucky Overdose Prevention Summit (Louisville, KY). The presenter examines the heightened risks of morbidity, mortality, and disengagement from healthcare faced by pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders (SUD), with particular attention to the postpartum period when overdose risk is highest. The session explores how traditional prenatal and postpartum care models often fail to address the complex medical, behavioral, and social needs of women in recovery, and introduces innovative group-based care models including Project Nurture in Oregon, the University of Kentucky PATHways program, and extended postpartum care models. These integrated, trauma-informed, peer-supported approaches demonstrate how group care can improve access, retention, and continuity of care while advancing overdose prevention efforts.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the maternal and infant risks associated with untreated substance use disorders (SUD) during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including overdose risk, maternal mortality, neonatal complications, and disruptions to maternal–infant bonding and caregiving capacity.

2. Identify common barriers to SUD treatment engagement and retention in the postpartum period, including stigma, fragmented perinatal care, fear of child welfare involvement, mental health comorbidities, and limited access to trauma-informed, family-centered services.

3. Evaluate innovative group prenatal and postpartum care models for women in recovery and examine how integrated, peer-supported, trauma-informed approaches improve engagement, continuity, and outcomes.

Presented by: Angela (Angie) Chisholm, DNP, CNM – Certified Nurse-Midwife and Faculty, Frontier Nursing University.