Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US

Do you live in a maternity care desert?

Maternity care deserts are counties where there’s a lack of maternity care resources- no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care, and no obstetric providers. Find your community on the map below to determine your level of access.

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Where you live matters when it comes to the options available for maternity care. Maternity care deserts are counties where there is no access to birthing hospitals, birth centers offering obstetric care, or obstetric providers. Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts in the US reveals that over 35% of counties are considered maternity care deserts. This means that in 1,104 US counties, there is not a single birthing facility or obstetric clinician. Areas with no access to maternal care effect over 2.3 million women of reproductive age and 150,000 births in 2022. Our data confirms that women living in maternity care deserts and counties with low access to care have poorer health before pregnancy, receive less prenatal care, and experience higher rates of preterm birth. Our analysis revealed an excess of over 10,000 preterm births among those living in maternity care deserts and limited access counties in 2020-2022. These findings affirm that US systems, policies, and environments are failing moms and babies.

Aleeshia and Serkeith Huguley navigate pregnancy and postpartum care challenges in a Georgia maternity care desert. Their experience highlights broader issues, with too many US counties lacking obstetric clinicians.

In West Texas, many women struggle to access quality obstetric care due to a shortage of providers, financial barriers, and long drives to hospitals. Dr. Kristy Acosta, a family medicine obstetrics provider, witnesses the consequences firsthand.

Dr. L. Joy Baker, an OB-GYN in Georgia, serves in a maternity care desert where patients face long drives for care, raising risks. She advocates for policy changes, mobile health, and better support for rural hospitals to improve maternal health.

In rural Montana, Vania and Ray Biglefthand faced significant maternity care challenges. With March of Dimes' support, they highlight the need for better access.

Janette had to travel over an hour to the nearest hospital via a rideshare service for prenatal care appointments and to give birth—all while overcoming substance use disorder. Today, her and her family still struggle to get what they need.

Autumn found out she was pregnant with her first child the same month she was awarded custody of her four younger siblings. Now, 31 weeks pregnant and living in a maternity care desert, she fears she might go into labor in her car.

Claudia knows from experience the dangers of living in a maternity care desert, having delivered her second child in her car. Now, pregnant with her fifth child, she’s concerned this pregnancy will have a similar outcome.

Like most pregnant women in her county, Natalia gets her prenatal care in the nearest city where better resources and hospitals are available. But that’s a long drive away. At six months pregnant, the road is starting to wear on her.

Due to the birthing center in Kali’s rural hometown having a history of being unequipped and not wanting to risk the long drive to the nearest city’s hospital, Kali decided to take her maternity care into her own hands.