Nowhere to go: Maternity Care Deserts across the U.S. 2026 Report for United States

Access to maternity care remains a significant challenge across the United States, leaving more than 5.8 million women with limited options for care during pregnancy and childbirth. “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” (2026 report) examines county-level maternity care access through analyses of labor and delivery facilities, obstetric clinicians, and insurance coverage. The report also explores how access is associated with travel burden and the growing prevalence of out-of-hospital births. Throughout the report, healthcare policies are examined as both drivers of access and potential solutions to strengthen maternity care systems nationwide. These findings help identify communities facing the greatest barriers to care and can inform policies and investments that strengthen maternity care infrastructure and improve access for moms and babies.

National support for this report is provided by Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG). As the nation's largest employer of OB-GYNs, OBHG partners with hospitals and community clinicians to expand access to maternal healthcare, building a new standard of care that is connected, equitable, and always within reach. Their sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to improving outcomes for moms and babies nationwide.