A recent survey highlights significant disparities in maternity care experienced by pregnant women, particularly among those who are Black, reside in rural areas, or earn below $50,000 annually. Conducted by Pregnancy using MakeAmom, the survey gathered insights from 1,406 women who were either currently pregnant or had given birth in the past year.
Key findings from the survey include:
- Perceptions of Care: One in four surveyed women reported feeling ignored or dismissed by their maternity care providers, with 10% stating this occurred with their primary healthcare provider and 19% with other providers.
- Geographical Barriers: Women with a household income of less than $50,000 are five times more likely to live over 30 miles away from their maternity care provider compared to those earning $125,000 or more.
- Delays in Prenatal Appointments: Black women are more likely than their white counterparts to postpone their initial prenatal visits, with three times the likelihood of having their first appointment at 16 weeks or later.
- Ultrasound Access: Black and Hispanic/Latina women tend to receive their first ultrasounds later than white women. In fact, white women are 14% more likely to have their first ultrasound in the first trimester compared to Black women, who are two times more likely to have their first ultrasound after the 12-week mark.
- Virtual Access to Care: Higher-income women have better access to their healthcare providers through virtual patient portals. Those with a household income of $125,000 or more are 32% more likely to utilize these services compared to women earning less than $50,000.
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To Summarize:
The survey indicates that disparities in prenatal care remain a pressing issue, particularly for women of color and those with lower incomes. It underscores the necessity for improved access to quality maternity care and resources to support all mothers-to-be in their journeys toward a healthy pregnancy.