The MOTHER Project

The opioid epidemic has impacted Americans for more than 20 years. Yet, mental health and substance use disorders continue to be some of the most undertreated medical conditions. At The High Risk Pregnancy Center (HRPC), our maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians help fill this dangerous gap in treatment through an innovative program called the MOTHER (Maternal Opioid Treatment Health Education Recovery) Project.

What is the MOTHER Project?

The MOTHER Project is a level I outpatient treatment program designed specifically for pregnant women with opioid use disorders (OUDs). To date, it’s the only program in Nevada providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to this overlooked population.

In it, you’ll find a patient-centered team of compassionate MFM physicians and behavioral health specialists providing collaborative, personalized, high-quality care for women with high-risk pregnancies resulting from opioid misuse. This unique program is overseen by a Clinical Psychiatrist, Behavioral Health Director, and Peer Recovery Support Specialist. The entire team of specialists at The High Risk Pregnancy Center are understanding and compassionate—and never pass judgment on the patient.  

The MOTHER Project helps women manage, lessen, or even avoid opioid-related problems that surface throughout pregnancy and beyond through appropriate therapies and interventions.

Women enrolled in the MOTHER Project receive regular behavioral and physical appointments and follow-up visits with their medical providers. They also receive routine lab work, ultrasounds, and fetal monitoring on top of routine prenatal care with obstetrics and gynecology. 

With the addition of the MOTHER Project in June 2018, HRPC now offers even more highly specialized services encompassing physical and mental health. 

Combining medication-assisted treatment with maternal-fetal medicine for better access and optimal outcomes

Research shows the most effective treatment for OUD is medicine-assisted treatment and that methadone (a drug typically used in the treatment of opioid addiction) is not optimal for pregnant women due to its profile regarding neonatal withdrawal. 

We combine medicine-assisted treatment (MAT) for OUD with specialized maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) care to provide underserved women with exceptional treatment. Our clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Farzad Kamyar, oversees all aspects of the MOTHER Project to ensure every patient receives compassionate, evidence-based treatment, exemplary psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy throughout every stage of her at-risk pregnancy (prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum).

Combining MFM, behavioral health, and MAT services into a collaborative care environment is an evidenced-based approach that leads to better access, improved clinical outcomes, lower care costs, and increased patient satisfaction. Services include:

• Psychiatry,
• MAT with Buprenorphine and Naltrexone, 
• Substance abuse counseling, 
• Peer recovery support services, 
• and advanced MFM care for pregnancies. 

Read our article about opioid use during pregnancy and alternative pain treatment therapies for additional information.

Dr. Brian Iriye and Dr. Farzad Kamyar are recognized as Healthcare Heroes

Dr. Iriye and Dr. Kamyar were recently recognized as Healthcare Heroes by the Nevada Business Magazine for their work with our MOTHER Project.

Partnership with the community for complete care

We partner with the community to provide complete wrap-around services, helping women achieve their best possible outcome. Our Behavioral Health Program Director facilitates and coordinates:

• Health screenings
• Intake assessments
• Treatment plans 
  • High-risk pregnancy care
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • After-care
• Patient education (e.g., common mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) and their  available treatment options) 
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Service referrals

Once a personalized treatment plan is established, they also provide vital psychosocial and therapeutic interventions using evidence-based behavioral health services such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy 
• Behavioral activation
• Problem-solving treatment
• Motivational interviewing

Our Behavioral Health Program Director plays a critical role in the recovery and healing of pregnant women with OUD throughout the recovery continuum while reinforcing treatment goals up to one year postpartum.

Peer recovery support to maximize the benefits of treatment

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist serves as a patient advocate, providing contemporary support for women in an outpatient setting right here in our office. These individuals are available 24/7 to assist with crises, social issues, triggers for illicit use, and questions or concerns.

Who is eligible?

• Must be age 18 or older
• Must be pregnant
• Must test positive for opioids or admit to opioid use and express interest in medication-assisted treatment
• Referring provider is required to offer—and provide if the patient requests—immediate in-hospital placement of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) prior to discharge

Peer recovery is essential for improving patient outcomes and continuing the journey toward recovery long after pregnancy. 

Patients with OUD may relapse during treatment. However, it’s important to understand this is a normal part of the recovery process and nothing to be ashamed of.  Your peer recovery support person and the entire HRPC team are here to help you through every step of your recovery journey.

About the MOTHER Project at HRPC

Established over twenty years ago, HRPC is Nevada's largest maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) practice. We offer preeminent MFM services to the largest population centers in the state. With the addition of the MOTHER Project, we now offer even more highly specialized services encompassing both physical and mental health. 

We understand OUD is a disease, and we’re here to help women through their recovery process and provide the support, care, and resources they need.

Get effective, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy from national leaders in the care of high-risk pregnancies. Call The High Risk Pregnancy Center today at 702-819-8042 for more information about the MOTHER Project.