Published: 04/27/2026 | Author: Quentin Blount

Opioid addiction is now the leading cause of death among new mothers in Indiana, a devastating reality that state data confirms is cutting short the lives of women during one of their most vulnerable periods.

Overdoses contributed to roughly one-third of deaths among women during pregnancy and up to one year after giving birth, according to Indiana’s Maternal Mortality Review Commission. For advocates on the front lines, the message is stark: pregnancy alone does not cure addiction.

The Opioid Crisis by the Numbers

Indiana has long struggled with elevated maternal mortality, typically ranking among the bottom ten states in the country.

The state’s Maternal Mortality Review Commission analyzed 367 deaths from 2018 to 2022 using death records, birth certificates and other public resources.

Opioid overdose, driven heavily by fentanyl contamination of the drug supply, dominated that toll.

Intentional overdoses were not even counted in the one-third figure, meaning the true burden of narcotic addiction on Indiana mothers is likely even higher.

The data also revealed a troubling pattern tied to the child welfare system. Two out of three maternal deaths had some involvement with the Department of Child Services, either as a child or as an adult, frequently both, according to Dr. Mary Abernathy, chair of the mortality review committee.

An Indiana University analysis found that more than 7,100 Indiana children were removed from their homes in 2024, with about 57 percent of those removals attributed to a parent abusing alcohol or drugs.

What Is Driving Opioid Deaths Among New Mothers

The postpartum period, the weeks and months after delivery, is when the risk spikes most sharply. While the risk of overdose decreases during pregnancy, it rises dramatically after birth.

In the postpartum period, the risk of overdose is higher than if a woman had never been pregnant at all, according to Dr. Camila Arnaudo, a member of the mortality review committee.

Estimates suggest that between 80 and 90 percent of patients with substance use disorders have an additional behavioral health condition — diagnosed or undiagnosed, compounding their addiction.

Access to care collapses precisely when it is needed most. While mothers typically have six to twenty prenatal appointments before delivery, they usually have only one appointment after giving birth. For women managing opioid addiction or heroin addiction, that single follow-up is rarely enough.

Fear of losing custody of their children also pushes many mothers away from seeking care altogether.

Under Indiana’s strict drug reporting guidelines, if substances are found in a newborn’s system, it can trigger a Department of Child Services report, causing many mothers to avoid prenatal care entirely.

Fentanyl’s Role in Maternal Overdose Deaths

The illicit drug supply in Indiana, as across the country, is heavily contaminated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Many users do not know they are consuming it.

Many users mix drugs, and fentanyl test strips, though less widely distributed than naloxone, can detect fentanyl and other deadly substances to warn users of contamination.

The proliferation of fentanyl has made opioid abuse far more lethal, even for people who believe they are using a familiar substance.

Understanding Opioid Addiction and Overdose Risk

Opioid addiction, also called opioid use disorder, is a chronic, relapsing medical condition involving physical dependence on substances such as heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers.

Overdose occurs when opioids overwhelm the brain’s respiratory controls, causing breathing to slow or stop.

The postpartum period is especially high-risk because tolerance drops during pregnancy, and returning to a previous dose after delivery can be fatal.

Harm Reduction and Treatment Options for Indiana Mothers

One Indianapolis program is working to close the gap. The CHOICE program, operated through Community Health Network, is a voluntary 24-7 program that helps mothers detox from heroin, methamphetamine, and other addictive substances, offering medication-assisted treatment to address withdrawal symptoms.

Naloxone (brand name Narcan), an overdose-reversal medication, is the most immediate life-saving tool available.

Naloxone is widely available for free across Indiana, through pharmacies, harm reduction organizations, and community programs. Anyone in a household where opioid use is present should have naloxone on hand and know how to use it.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), combining medications like buprenorphine or methadone with counseling, is the gold standard for treating opioid addiction.

Black women are significantly less likely to receive medications for opioid use disorder, even as they face higher rates of maternal mortality, a disparity advocates say must be urgently addressed.

Peer recovery support is another critical bridge. Programs like CHOICE employ people in recovery, like peer specialist Dana Cahill, who went through the program herself, to walk alongside mothers as they rebuild their lives.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings offer ongoing, community-based peer support that many women in recovery rely on after completing formal treatment.

Finding Help for Opioid Addiction in Indiana

If you or someone you love is struggling with narcotic addiction during or after pregnancy, help is available.

Search Narcotics.com’s directory of NA meetings to start receiving recovery support today. You can also 800-934-1582(Sponsored) for immediate assistance.