Over One-Third of U.S. Counties Lacking Maternity Care Services, New Report Warns

 A new report by March of Dimes, an infant health nonprofit, has shed light on the alarming state of maternity care in the U.S., revealing that over one-third of the country's counties lack access to birthing facilities or obstetric services. These so-called "maternity care deserts" affect 35.1% of counties, leaving millions of women without essential healthcare during pregnancy.

The report identifies 1,104 counties where there are no specialist services for maternity care, affecting more than 2.3 million women of reproductive age. In 2022 alone, these areas saw over 150,000 births without adequate medical support. Women in these counties are more likely to face challenges such as poor health before pregnancy, limited prenatal care, and an increased risk of preterm births. The report found that women living in maternity care deserts have a 13% higher chance of giving birth prematurely.

Some of the states most affected by these care deserts include North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas. The majority of these deserts, around 60%, are located in rural areas, making it even harder for women in these regions to access maternity services.

One concerning trend highlighted in the report is the increasing number of hospital obstetric unit closures across the country. Since 2022, over 100 counties have experienced a decline in maternity care facilities, and one in every 25 obstetric units has closed. This has led to fewer options, longer travel times, and added stress for pregnant women.

March of Dimes' Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Amanda Williams, stressed the need for systemic change, stating that access to maternity care shouldn’t depend on where a person lives. She emphasized that maternity care continues to be undervalued in the U.S., with too many families lacking access to critical services.

The report also points to the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade as a contributing factor to the decline in maternity care services. Strict abortion laws have led to OB-GYN professionals leaving states where they could face severe penalties, resulting in fewer obstetric residencies. Additionally, low reimbursement rates and complicated payment structures have contributed to hospital closures in many areas.

While the report noted some positive news with an increase in birth centers from 2017 to 2022, these facilities remain limited. There are only 417 licensed birth centers spread across 270 counties, and less than 5% are in rural areas, leaving most women without access to these alternative care options.

In August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report showing that fewer women received adequate prenatal care in 2023 compared to previous years, marking the second year in a row of declining access to vital maternity services.