Introduction: Opioid abuse and dependence are increasing in the general population, and consequently among women of childbearing age. The latter often live in poorer socio-economic conditions and addition to opioids, also use alcohol and other illicit substances, which further contributes to additional negative consequences. They are often reluctant to disclose information about their opioid use during pregnancy, mainly for fear of stigmatisation and legal consequences. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis was to describe the consequences of opioid use during pregnancy and the role of nurses in the process of treating pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Methods: The descriptive method of research was used in our work. We reviewed Slovenian and English scientific literature. The search was conducted from December 2024 to April 2025 using the DiKUL bibliographic system and the CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. Results: The consequences of opioid use during pregnancy include an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, bleeding during pregnancy, fetal death, premature birth and caesarean section. Newborns exposed to opioids in utero are more likely to have a lower birth weight, be smaller for gestational age, have respiratory distress, and experience neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is characterized by excessive sensitivity to stimuli, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. The risk of cardiovascular and other congenital malformations is increased, and during childhood, emotional and behavioral disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more common. In addition to screening for opioid abuse and addiction, the key responsibilities of nurses in the care of pregnant women with opioid use disorder are counseling, education, and establishing a confidential relationship and a safe environment. When working with pregnant women with opioid use disorder, disrespectful treatment often occurs due to stigmatisation by nurses, which is largely due to personal biases and lack of knowledge. Discussion and conclusion: Opioid use during pregnancy has a variety of negative consequences. It is crucial that nurses are educated on how to treat pregnant women with opioid use disorder, as this reduces the stigmatization of patients. This ensures the provision of quality nursing care and establishes a confidential relationship in which patients will share information about opioid use without fear and become motivated to participate in recommended care.
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