More U.S. Women Going Through Pregnancy Without Prenatal Care: CDC

Although the birth rate in the U.S. is dropping, more women are going without crucial prenatal care, which could increase the risk of serious or life-threatening injuries for both the mothers and unborn children.

Healthcare that an expecting woman receives during pregnancy is referred to as prenatal care. Ideally, it begins in the first trimester of pregnancy, or the first three months, right after a woman finds out she’s pregnant. This can include checkups, blood tests, and screenings for health conditions that may impact both the mother and fetus.

Prenatal care can also reduce the risk of birth defects, pregnancy complications, and other serious issues, by providing preventative treatments before delivery. For example, it can help flag if a woman is at risk of suffering preeclampsia, which is a serious medical condition marked by high blood pressure and can cause death to both the fetus and the mother if not caught early.

However, in a report on 2023 births in the United States published this week, researchers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics indicate that the percentage of women receiving prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy declined from the prior year, with 5% more mothers going without the treatment in 2023, compared to 2022.

Study Highlights Decreasing Rates of Prenatal Care

In the new study, researchers used data from the National Vital Statistics System from 2022 to 2023, indicating that there were 3.6 million babies born in the U.S. last year.

Overall, the number of births decreased by 2% between 2022 and 2023. At the same time, the fertility rate also declined by 3%, suggesting women are having trouble becoming pregnant and fewer women are having babies.

The data also showed the birth rate declined across younger age groups. For young women ages 15 to 19, the birth rate dropped by 4%. The rate among teenagers 15 to 17 dropped by 2%.

More so, the rate of early-term births increased by 2%, which may reflect an increase in complications during late pregnancy. The preterm birth rate was unchanged at 10%.

However, fewer women are receiving crucial prenatal care. The rate of women getting prenatal care in the first trimester declined by 1%. From 2016 to 2021, the rate of prenatal care had steadily increased among women, until the drop seen in 2023. Additionally, the number of women who had no access to any type of prenatal care increased by 5%.

Repeal of Roe v. Wade May Be Affecting Prenatal Care

According to a report by NBC News, this drop in prenatal care may largely be due to the repeal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which eliminated access to abortions for many women in the U.S.

Experts indicate that in some counties, there are no providers to give prenatal care. Women who have to travel long distances to seek care and may have limited resources may just opt not to get care at all.

Researchers emphasize prenatal care is crucial for protecting the health of pregnant women and their fetuses. Prenatal care helps spot and prevent serious issues that can cause long-term side effects. Increasing access to care for pregnant women is important in all states and counties across the country.