A full 35% of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts—regions that lack birthing facilities or obstetric clinicians, according to recent March of Dimes report, Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US. Alarmingly, this may worsen as maternity units close nationwide and provider shortages persist, a trend that will further exacerbate poorer pre-pregnancy health, inadequate prenatal care, and higher preterm birth rates.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Amanda Williams, Interim Chief Medical Officer at March of Dimes, explores the rise of maternity care deserts, the impact of doulas and midwives on maternal mortality and the strategies for improving patient access to care. Dr. Williams identifies ways that employers and others can help to improve maternity care by providing access to digital solutions and community resources, advocating for reimbursement reforms, and supporting value-based care models.

Guest: Dr. Amanda Williams, Interim Chief Medical Officer at March of Dimes