What Every Woman Should Know About Maternal Health in America

Pregnancy is one of the most significant health journeys a person can take. Yet in the United States, that journey comes with risks that are higher than in most other developed nations — and unevenly distributed across race, income, and geography.

KEY STATISTICS (2026) • 669 maternal deaths in the U.S. in 2023 • 35% of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts • 1 in 5 mothers experience a maternal mental health condition • 75% who need treatment never receive it

THE STATE OF MATERNAL HEALTH TODAY

In 2023, 669 women died of maternal causes in the United States — down from 817 in 2022 — a meaningful but incomplete improvement. While that decline is encouraging, the World Health Organization has declared the U.S. one of only seven countries to report a significant increase in pregnancy-related deaths since 2000, and the maternal mortality rate remains higher here than in comparable nations, with significant racial disparities persisting.

Over 35 percent of counties in the United States qualify as maternity care deserts — places where obstetric and prenatal care providers and birthing facilities simply don't exist. For millions of women, accessing basic prenatal care requires long drives, extended wait times, or going without.

Access warning: Maternity care is becoming more scarce as health systems close their obstetric units. Federal funding cuts and declining Medicaid coverage threaten to worsen these shortages in the years ahead.

MENTAL HEALTH: THE HIDDEN CRISIS

The physical risks of pregnancy often get the most attention, but maternal mental health is its own urgent concern. About one in five mothers in the U.S. experience a maternal mental health condition — like postpartum depression — every year. Yet research shows that 75% of women never get the treatment they need.

When left untreated, these disorders can have lasting impacts on women's well-being, family stability, and children's development. Untreated maternal mental health conditions are estimated to cost the U.S. $14.2 billion annually.

Between 2023 and 2025, the number of maternal mental health providers more than doubled — from 4,506 to 9,694. Even so, 84% of birthing-aged women still live in areas with a shortage of maternal mental health resources.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Maternal health outcomes are not equal. The maternal mortality rate has slightly declined for every racial and ethnic group — except Black women — who continue to face the highest rates of pregnancy-related death regardless of income or education level.

Geography also plays a powerful role. Maternal death rates are 18%–49% higher in states that haven't expanded Medicaid eligibility. Counties in the Deep South, Mississippi Delta, Gulf Coast, Appalachia, and parts of New Mexico and Arizona show the highest risk — driven primarily by poverty, social instability, and isolation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Start prenatal care early. The first trimester is critical for fetal development. Early visits help identify and manage risk factors before they become serious.

2. Know your mental health rights. Postpartum depression and anxiety are medical conditions — not personal failings. Ask your provider to screen you and don't hesitate to request a referral.

3. Build a support network. Social isolation is one of the strongest risk factors for poor maternal mental health. Lean on partners, family, community groups, or online support communities.

4. Advocate for yourself. Many maternal deaths are preventable. If something feels wrong — unusual pain, shortness of breath, swelling — seek care immediately and speak up until you're heard.

5. Use available resources. Your OB, midwife, or doula are all part of a team. Organizations like March of Dimes and Postpartum Support International can connect you to additional support.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Progress is real — but it's fragile, and it's not reaching everyone equally. Staying informed, accessing care early, and knowing where to turn for support are among the most powerful tools any woman can have.

Tags: Maternal Health, Women's Health, Prenatal Care, Postpartum, Mental Health, Health Disparities