Escalation of perinatal opioid overdose and mortality has become a national public health concern. Prescription opioids are considered a gateway drug to misuse and dependency of other illicit drugs such as fentanyl and heroin. This study explored the 1) the pain-related experiences, 2) the social-ecological factors and experiences, and 3) the healthcare-related experiences of perinatal women who used or misused prescription opioids. The women’s shared experiences provided insights regarding how socio-ecologic and healthcare-related factors intersected with their pain experiences, which will be presented in three major themes of the study. This intersection was collectively identified as contributing to their initiation and perpetuation of misuse which hindered their journey to recovery and motherhood.
