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Home » U.S. Needs Better Maternity Care: Tackling Provider Shortages and Improving Outcomes

U.S. Needs Better Maternity Care: Tackling Provider Shortages and Improving Outcomes

by ARC Fertility | Employer, Fertility Blog

Mother with her children

The United States continues to grapple with a severe maternal mortality crisis. As highlighted in recent data, the U.S. has the highest maternal death rate among high-income nations and much of this can be attributed to systemic gaps in healthcare, including a significant shortage of maternity care providers. The situation demands urgent attention and reform to safeguard the health of pregnant women, particularly Black women, who are disproportionately affected.

ARC Fertility recognizes this urgent need and provides a unique, high-quality, low-cost and flexible solution for maternal and reproductive care. ARC Fertility ensures that employers can offer access to essential fertility and maternal healthcare benefits, addressing the dire need for support and resources.

Understanding the U.S. Maternal Health Crisis

Maternal mortality in the U.S. is not only high but also preventable. The latest findings from the Commonwealth Fund report demonstrate that many maternal deaths could be avoided through timely interventions, better postpartum care and expanded access to healthcare professionals, such as midwives. However, the U.S. healthcare system suffers from a shortage of these providers, exacerbating the crisis.

In comparison to other high-income countries, the U.S. falls behind due to several factors:

  • Lack of postpartum care: Many maternal deaths occur postpartum but women often do not receive adequate follow-up care after delivery.
  • Shortage of midwives and maternity care providers: Countries with lower maternal mortality rates, such as the U.K. and the Netherlands, rely heavily on midwives and other maternity specialists.
  • Limited social supports: Paid maternity leave and access to resources during and after pregnancy are lacking in the U.S.

This gap in provider availability has real and devastating impacts. Women in rural areas, in particular, struggle to access specialized care and racial disparities mean that Black women are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth. The structural inequities in the system demand comprehensive reform, including better provider coverage and enhanced care pathways.

The Role of ARC Fertility in Addressing Provider Shortages

ARC Fertility is committed to bridging the gap in reproductive healthcare by offering a flexible, comprehensive solution to fertility and maternal care. As a leader in the fertility space, ARC’s mission aligns with the urgent need for more accessible and inclusive care models in the U.S. maternal health landscape. Here’s how ARC’s approach helps mitigate the challenges highlighted by the current crisis:

  1. High-Quality Care at Lower Costs ARC ensures that its services are accessible and affordable without compromising on quality. Whether individuals are seeking fertility treatment or employers are looking to enhance family-forming benefits, ARC’s commitment to high-quality care is central. In the context of maternity care, ensuring that women can access affordable, comprehensive treatment plans is key to reducing mortality rates.
  2. Flexible Plan Design for Employers As a significant portion of healthcare in the U.S. is employer-sponsored, ARC offers flexibility in designing fertility and maternal health plans that fit the needs of diverse workplaces. Employers play a crucial role in expanding access to fertility and maternity care benefits. By providing customizable options, ARC allows companies to support their employees through various stages of family formation, from fertility treatments to postpartum support.
  3. Addressing Gaps in Provider Availability ARC’s network of fertility and maternal health professionals offers a solution to the provider shortage plaguing the U.S. maternal healthcare system. By partnering with clinics and specialists across the country, ARC ensures that patients have access to qualified providers even in areas where maternity care services are limited. This decentralized approach helps alleviate the strain on existing healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities.

How International Models Provide Insight

Countries that have effectively managed maternal health crises provide valuable insight into how the U.S. could improve. For example, nations with strong midwifery programs and comprehensive postpartum care see far better outcomes in maternal health. Midwives play a critical role in prenatal, delivery and postpartum care in countries like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, where maternal mortality rates are significantly lower.

By adopting similar models, the U.S. could reduce its reliance on overburdened hospitals and obstetricians. ARC Fertility’s approach aligns with this vision by providing broader access to care and reducing the financial and logistical barriers to maternal health services.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Change?

To address the maternal mortality crisis and provider shortage in the U.S., a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Policymakers, healthcare providers and private companies must collaborate to implement meaningful changes. Some key actions include:

  • Expanding the healthcare workforce: Training more midwives and maternity care specialists can help fill the gap in provider availability.
  • Increasing access to postpartum care: Ensuring women receive follow-up care after childbirth can prevent many of the complications that lead to maternal deaths.
  • Promoting workplace benefits: Employers must recognize the importance of offering comprehensive maternity and fertility benefits, including paid leave and mental health support.

ARC Fertility is proud to be at the forefront of these efforts, offering innovative, cost-effective solutions that empower individuals and families to access the care they need. 

Contact us today for more information on how ARC’s flexible plan design supports employers and contributes to closing the maternal health gap.

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