This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Access to Rural Maternity Care
Policy paper describing obstetric care for rural women in the U.S. Covers challenges to providing access to rural maternity care, such as healthcare quality, birth outcomes, workforce shortages, access, and financial challenges. Includes discussion on policy alternatives and considerations to address workforce issues, barriers to practicing obstetrics in rural areas, and increasing access to maternity care services.
Author(s): Britta Anderson, Adam Gingery, Maeve McClellan, et al.
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
view details
Georgia House of Representatives Study Committee on Maternal Mortality
Provides an overview of issues related to maternal health, prenatal care, and postnatal care in Georgia. Compares mortality rates for rural and urban Georgia women, and discusses shortages of prenatal care, obstetric services, and postpartum care in rural Georgia communities. Features statistics on leading causes of pregnancy-related death in Georgia, percentage of these deaths determined to be preventable, and timing of deaths in relation to pregnancy.
Author(s): Sharon Cooper, Mark Newton, Chuck Efstration, et al.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: Georgia House of Representatives Budget & Research Office
view details
Rural Focus and Representation in State Maternal Mortality Review Committees: Review of Policy and Legislation
An assessment of the extent of rural representation in state policy efforts related to improving maternal health through the development of maternal mortality and morbidity review committees (MMRCs). Analysis included whether or not states established an MMRC, had passed legislation requiring an MMRC, identified rural populations in the legislation, and if they required rural representation within the MMRC.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Amanda Corbet, et al.
Citation: Women's Health Issues 299(5) 357-363
Date: 2019
view details
The Ecology of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Summarizes results from an 8-state study of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal condition that may occur in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Discusses correlations to rurality, unemployment rates, poverty, and the supply of healthcare providers, and identifies potential policy interventions that could help. For interactive, county-level data, see the Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool based on study findings.
Additional links: Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
view details
Rural and Appalachian Disparities in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Incidence and Access to Opioid Abuse Treatment
Examines the disparity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevalence in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky and in comparison to national data. Considers why data from this study may or may not be useful in identifying regional and national trends. Also discusses the challenges of providing substance abuse treatment to pregnant women and Appalachian populations.
Author(s): Joshua D. Brown, Amie J. Goodin, Jeffrey C. Talbert
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 6-13
Date: 12/2018
view details
Cesarean Delivery - New Mexico PRAMS
Reports on data from New Mexico's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) regarding the prevalence of cesarean sections (c-sections). Includes breakdowns by reason for c-section, age, race/ethnicity, rural/urban residence, and more.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
view details
State Options for Promoting Recovery among Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid or Substance Use Disorder
Reports on interviews with health officials in Texas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania regarding how their states help pregnant women and young mothers with substance use disorders, focusing on opioids. Discusses Medicaid's role, funding sources of state initiatives, medication-assisted treatment, and issues for incarcerated women. Includes considerations and examples related to rural health throughout.
Author(s): Becky Normile, Carrie Hanlon, Hannah Eichner
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
view details
HRSA's Home Visiting Program: Supporting Families Impacted by Opioid Use and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Resource for MIECHV Awardees
Details a report for HRSA's Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program grantees on providing support to families impacted opioid use disorder (OUD) and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Discusses methods of treatments for newborns with NAS and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for pregnant women with OUD.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
view details
Supporting Family Physician Maternity Care Providers
Summarizes strategies, provides suggestions, and examines the role family physicians play in providing maternity care to the underserved. Also presents ideas for training and retaining family physician maternity care providers in rural areas.
Author(s): Jessica Taylor Goldstein, Scott G. Hartman, Matthew R. Meunier, et al.
Citation: Family Medicine, 50(9), 662-671
Date: 10/2018
view details
Analysis of Indiana's Primary Care Physicians Providing Obstetric Services
Quantifies and describes the Indiana primary care physicians who report providing some level of obstetric care. Includes county-level maps with data on infant mortality rates from 2012-2016 and access to prenatal, labor and delivery, postnatal, and comprehensive obstetric services, with shadings indicating rural counties.
Author(s): Hannah Maxey, Sierra Vaughn, Courtney Randolph
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy
view details