MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – One in three counties in Alabama is considered a maternal health care desert, according to a new report by the March of Dimes.
These deserts are defined as areas with no hospital maternity wards, no birthing centers, and no local obstetricians, gynecologists, or certified nurse-midwives. The lack of nearby care leaves thousands of expectant mothers facing long, potentially dangerous journeys to receive essential medical attention.
Latasha Bell, a resident of Lowndes County, experienced this firsthand when she became pregnant two years ago. Classified by the March of Dimes as a maternal health care desert, Lowndes County has no local options for prenatal or postpartum care, forcing Bell to make regular trips to Montgomery…