Cesarean Delivery as a Pathway to Nonmedical Opioid Use

Opioid-related death rates are rising among child-bearing women, whose drug use often originates with prescribed medication. In particular, pain management after cesarean delivery (the most common major surgery in the U.S.) presents an opportunity for excessive use or abuse. Investigators at one U.S. academic center queried 179 women 2 weeks after cesarean delivery regarding their use of the opioids they had received (most commonly, 30 pills of 5-mg oxycodone). After discharge, 22% took all prescribed opioids, 61% took some, and 17% took none. About 75% had leftover opioids (median, 10 pills). Women who took more opioids while in the hospital (as well as smokers) were more likely to take more pills after discharge.

In a survey of 720 women i…