Shrinking rural Iowa loses maternity units

IOWA CITY — Iowa’s dwindling population has forced a third of rural hospitals to close their labor and delivery units. Medical providers are trying to find solutions.

Reporting from K-F-F Health News shows that at least 41 Iowa hospitals have closed their labor and delivery units since 2000 – down dramatically from the 1950s and ’60s when the state was trying to keep up with the baby boom.

University of Iowa obstetrics and gynecology professor Dr. Stephanie Radke says Iowa used to have at least one labor and delivery unit in each of its 99 counties, but many have closed as the population has dropped and common themes have emerged. Radke says maintaining staff in rural areas and the urbanization of the population have also created challenges, but adds using simulation and other technology in rural areas may help address the problem.

Radke says beyond a lack of baby delivery options for pregnant mothers, a lack of maternal services in rural areas can mean they might not access as much care as they need. “Are patients able to have an adequate number of prenatal visits with their provider in order to make sure they have a healthy pregnancy?”

Radke says rural hospitals are trying to find the balance between having enough patients to keep maternity wards open while also being profitable.