Healthy Starts: Postpartum OUD Care Transitions for Mother and Infant (Case Study)

Source:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Healthy Starts: Postpartum OUD Care Transitions for Mother and Infant. Publication No. PEP26-07-004. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2026.

SAMHSA has issued a new case study guide: Healthy Starts: Postpartum OUD Care Transitions for Mother and Infant. 

The postpartum period is a critical time for connecting mothers, parents, and caregivers with services and supports that promote bonding, well-being, and healthy outcomes for families.

The first postpartum year is an especially high-risk period for women with an opioid use disorder. Evidence-based treatment options, such as medication for opioid use disorder, can help reduce these risks.

This publication summarizes information about the postpartum period, presents an innovative program as a case study, and offers practical advice for care teams on comprehensive, collaborative perinatal care.

Acknowledgments: This publication was written and produced for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under contract number 75S20322D00049/75S20323F42002 with SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CAPT. Donelle Johnson, Ph.D., served as contracting officer representative. Madjid Karimi, Ph.D., with SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, served as product lead. Caitlin E. Martin, M.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, provided subject matter expertise.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this document constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or HHS of any non-federal entity’s products, services, or policies. Stock photos used in this publication are copyrighted and are for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in a stock photo is a model. Publication No. PEP26-07-004 Released June 2026