About a third of New Mexico counties characterized as ‘maternity care deserts’

About a third of the counties in the state are considered “OB deserts,” where there is little to no access to obstetric care providers. (Getty Images)

New Mexicans are facing a lack of health care workers and difficulty accessing medical care, including maternity care.

According to the University of New Mexico’s College of Population Health , 33% of counties in the state are considered “OB deserts,” where there is little to no access to obstetric care providers.

For one single mother in Las Vegas, this means traveling several hours at a time for doctor appointments for herself as well as her newborn baby.

“It’s rough having kids out here in Vegas. My doctor had to help schedule out all my visits for my pregnancy so I could schedule time off,” she told a member of the College of Population Health.

She also had to find child care for her other children while she took care of her medical appointments.

Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas closed its labor and delivery unit in 2022 due to a lack of care providers.

According to a 2023 report conducted by the March of Dimes in New Mexico, women living in counties with the highest travel times drove up to an average of 97.1 miles to the nearest birthing hospital. About 18% of New Mexicans do not have a birthing hospital within 30 minutes of their homes, which is above the national rate of almost 10% of people.

“The scarcity of OB care stems from various factors, including the geographic size of New Mexico, the challenging work schedules of health care providers, and the need for infrastructure development,” according to the university’s population health college. “In rural areas, professional isolation and limited health care development further exacerbate the problem.”

Lack of prenatal care can lead to pregnancy complications, birth complications for mother and baby and even death.

The New Mexico Maternal Mortality Review Committee reported to state lawmakers in late 2023 that maternal deaths in the state continue to be largely preventable and at a rate much higher than national numbers.

The March of Dimes report suggested states like New Mexico expand Medicaid coverage, further implement a midwifery model of care, establish reimbursement for doula care and increase telehealth availability throughout the state to include a wider range of specialties.

The report pointed to a program currently in operation in the northeastern part of the state called the New Mexico Rural Obstetric Access & Maternal Service . The program connects northern New Mexicans to providers virtually for prenatal care and postnatal support.

However, broadband access is a problem in many rural communities in the state, which the UNM department noted can delay the adoption of such technology.

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