Pregnant women in addiction : A study of the responsibility, cooperation and experiences of social services and maternity care

The purpose of this study has been to examine and analyze how the statutory agreement on cooperation between social services and maternity care in three different municipalities is translated into practice. Additionally the purpose is to see what kind of experiences professionals in social services and maternity care have of how different factors can affect pregnant women in addiction to change during pregnancy. The study is based on a documentary analysis of six documents which regulates the statutory agreement on cooperation about persons in addiction. Furthermore, the study is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with two social workers and three midwives in two different municipalities in southern Sweden. The theoretical approach that has been used is the terms stigmatization, empowerment and roles. The result of the study shows that the documents and working methods of the statutory cooperation is dissimilar in different municipalities. Furthermore, the result of the study shows that social workers and midwives see different factors that can motivate the pregnant women in addiction to change. They all agree that pregnancy is an opportunity for women in addiction to be particularly motivated for a change