Hey friends! A recent survey has shed light on some serious issues in prenatal care that many expectant mothers face. It turns out that women who are Black, live in rural areas, or have a household income below $50,000 experience significant disparities in maternity care.
In a survey conducted in May and June 2022, over 1,400 women who were pregnant or had given birth in the past year shared their experiences. Here are some key takeaways:
- A startling 1 in 4 pregnant women reported feeling ignored or dismissed by their maternity care providers. Specifically, 10% felt this way with their primary healthcare provider, while 19% experienced it with another provider.
- Those earning less tend to live farther away from their maternity care providers. Women with incomes under $50,000 are five times more likely to be located more than 30 miles from their provider compared to those making over $125,000.
- Black women often don’t get to their first prenatal appointments as quickly as white women. They are three times more likely to have their first appointment at 16 weeks or later.
- Black and Hispanic/Latina women tend to have their first ultrasounds later than white women, with white women being 14% more likely to have their first ultrasound during the first trimester.
- Higher-income women also enjoy better access to their practitioners via virtual platforms. Those earning $125,000 or more are 32% more likely to access their practitioners through a virtual patient portal compared to those earning under $50,000.
Every mother deserves a safe pregnancy, and while pregnancy-related deaths are rare, they still happen too often in the U.S. In fact, women in this country are more than twice as likely to lose their lives due to pregnancy or childbirth complications than in other developed nations. It’s essential to advocate for equitable care for all mothers-to-be. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this great resource on infertility.
For more insights, you can read about home insemination methods here or explore health tips for kids here.
In summary, the survey highlights the urgent need for improved prenatal care and access for all women, especially those from marginalized communities. Let’s push for changes that ensure every expectant mother receives the care she deserves!