March of Dimes Report: 35.1% of U.S. Counties Are Maternity Care Deserts

The percentage of pregnant women compelled to travel greater distances for delivery or forego pre-natal care is now increasing. A report by March of Dimes reveals that over a third of US counties (35.1%) are classified as "maternity care deserts," lacking any medical professional or facility specialized in maternity care. In 2022, over 2.3 million women of childbearing age were affected by this, up from 2.2 million in 2020. The number of babies born in these counties also rose from 146,000 to more than 150,000.

Maternity Care Deserts on the Rise

According to Ashley Stoneburner, the lead report author and director of applied research and analytics at March of Dimes, the situation is deteriorating, partly due to the increasing closure of hospital obstetric units. Between 2021 and 2022, around 1 in 25 hospital maternity wards closed. Financial constraints are often the reason for these closures, with obstetric units being the first to go. Additionally, the National Center for Health Statistics reported a 5% rise in the percentage of women forgoing pre-natal care from 2022 to 2023.

Roe v. Wade Reversal Impact

There is evidence suggesting that the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 might be exacerbating the issue. A Commonwealth Fund report from July indicated that women in states with strict abortion policies have a harder time finding an OB-GYN. Furthermore, an earlier survey revealed that these policies have driven away specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, leading to a worrying trend of a mass exodus of medical professionals.

Increasing Obstetric Care Gaps Across Regions

The states with the highest percentage of maternity care deserts are mainly located in the Midwest and Southeast, often aligning with areas that have stringent abortion policies. These include Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and the Dakotas, where at least half and up to three-quarters of counties lack obstetric care. Women residing in these deserts have a 13% increased risk of preterm birth, supported by previous studies indicating higher maternal and infant mortality rates in these regions.

Challenges Faced by Pregnant Women Due to Distance

Women in states such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana have to travel the farthest to access medical maternity care. Vania Biglefthand, a resident of Colstrip, Montana, shared her experience of traveling two hours to the nearest birthing hospital after going into early labor at 29 weeks. The stressful drive, compounded by concerns over fuel costs, road conditions, and the risk of not reaching the hospital in time, is a harsh reality for many women in similar situations.