If you are pregnant and struggle with opioid use disorder, the Mothers in Recovery (MIR) program is here for you. You can get medication-assisted treatment and maternity care in a caring, supportive, and non-judgmental environment.
Your caring team of specialists
The MIR health care team includes an obstetric and gynecologic (OB/GYN) physician or certified nurse-midwife, a clinical psychologist, and a nurse care coordinator. In addition, all of our pregnancy and birth staff have received training about the needs of women affected by opioid dependency.
Call us now
to learn more about Mothers in Recovery at 603-354-5440
Ingredients for success with the MIR program
For your treatment and care to be successful for you and your baby, these are essential:
- Openness to join with others in healing.
- Work with your health care team to come up with a treatment plan that works for you.
- Team with the community agencies supporting this program for recovery coaching and resource coordination.
While you are pregnant and breastfeeding we offer you a carefully monitored supply of a maintenance drug called buprenorphine (brand name Suboxone). This medication helps to decrease cravings and manage opioid withdrawal symptoms (sweats, pain, tremors, insomnia), and increases the likelihood of your success in treatment and sobriety.
A Healthy Start for Mother and Baby—In Life and Recovery
In 2016, Cheshire Medical Center launched Mothers in Recovery (MIR), a program offering expectant mothers with opioid use disorder a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and comprehensive prenatal through post-partum care.
Group therapy with other moms
You will attend weekly group therapy with other pregnant women who are committed to recovery from opioid use disorders. Group therapy and medical management continue after you give birth with a focus on substance use therapy—and on just being a mom and being with others who can understand.
This MIR therapy is led by a clinical psychologist and occurs three weeks out of every four. The fourth week is when you receive group prenatal care through our CenteringPregnancy program.
Your prenatal care
Before you give birth, your prescriptions for buprenorphine are provided at the end of each weekly therapy session or CenteringPregancy group care appointment. In the final weeks of your pregnancy and/or if you develop any complications of pregnancy (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), you will have additional one-on-one visits in our office.
Your postpartum care
Group therapy and medical management continue so you are supported in your day-by-day recovery and in being a new mom, with others who can relate.
We will screen your baby for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which can occur when a baby is exposed to drugs while in the womb, then goes through withdrawal after birth. If your newborn is affected by NAS, we will teach you how to comfort them.
Your care team will connect you with community services for home-based case management, parenting support, and home-visit nursing care.
Breastfeeding support
If you test to have no other drugs in your system besides your prescription, it is healthy and safe for you to breastfeed your baby. On top of providing many proven health benefits, breastfeeding can lessen signs of withdrawal in your baby.
Our Certified Lactation Consultants will observe one of your first feedings after giving birth. They will then follow up by phone a few days after you go home, and are available for phone appointments or visits seven days a week. Learn more about lactation support and Mom’s Club.