Traveling Midwife Fights Growing Maternity Deserts

Maternity care deserts are expanding across the U.S., with over 52% of counties now lacking hospital-based labor and delivery services, according to a recent March of Dimes report. Nearly 35% of U.S. counties are considered maternity care deserts, leaving 2.4 million women of reproductive age without adequate access to obstetric care. This situation significantly increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly for women of color.

Midwives like Nadia Gramby are critical in addressing this crisis. Gramby travels extensively across Alabama to provide care to pregnant women and deliver babies, founding Crown of Glory Birth Services in 2018 to meet the needs of women in underserved areas. Her work underscores the personalized and holistic approach midwives offer, which research shows leads to better outcomes and lower complication rates.

The March of Dimes report emphasizes that midwives are a vital part of the solution to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies. However, barriers persist, including insurance coverage variations and restrictive state laws. Organizations like the March of Dimes advocate for policies that expand midwifery practice, such as independent practice and prescribing privileges, to ensure more accessible and compassionate maternity care nationwide.