Midwife Addresses Maternal Care Gaps in Alabama

Why it matters locally: Oregon, like many states, faces its own challenges with access to maternal care, particularly in rural areas. While the specific situation highlighted is in Alabama, the broader issue of 'maternity deserts' and the role of midwives in addressing them is a relevant concern for healthcare planning and access across Oregon's diverse communities.

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More than half of all counties in the United States do not have hospitals that offer labor and delivery services, according to recent research from the March of Dimes. One Black midwife is working to provide care to pregnant individuals in Alabama. This work directly addresses the expanding areas of the U.S. with limited or no access to maternity care, often termed 'maternity deserts.' The image accompanying the report shows a midwife traveling across Alabama to care for pregnant individuals and deliver babies. Maria Fabrizio created the image.