How Colorado hospitals are caring for pregnant patients with substance use disorders by overcoming stigma

Nearly 1,500 healthcare professionals completed the training in hospitals, birth centers and community organizations across the state.

By: Karli Swenson, University of Colorado Anschutz, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 11, 2026

Words: 1,321

Last Updated: 8 hours, 56 minutes ago

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By Karli Swenson, University of Colorado Anschutz

The obstetrics staff was surprised the first time it happened in June 2025. A pregnant woman who was dependent on methamphetamine arrived at the hospital in labor. She showed an image of graffiti spray-painted on a bridge in downtown Denver that read “Have your baby at Lutheran.” She was scared, and in pain, but wanted to be somewhere she felt safe asking for help.

Not long after, it …

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