(DDM) — The report, released Monday by the infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes, says that only about 75% of babies last year were born to mothers who started prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy.
A review obtained by Diaspora Digital Media DDM highlights a troubling trend in the United States: millions of pregnant women are delaying or completely missing early prenatal care, placing both mothers and infants at higher risk of preventable complications.
Dr. L. Joy Baker, an obstetrician-gynecologist in LaGrange, Georgia, said she frequently meets expectant mothers for the first time in their third trimester, sometimes mere days before delivery.
“I’ve done initial prenatal visits at 39 weeks, and the patient delivered a week later,” she said, noting that these late appointments leave very little time for essential screenings or interventions.
Experts warn that delayed care increases the likelihood of complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, untreated infections, and undiagnosed conditions like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
These outcomes are associated with long-term health challenges for both mother and child.
The March of Dimes report shows that late prenatal care is particularly widespread in Southern states, rural communities, and areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.
Structural barriers, including lack of insurance, high costs, and clinic shortages, contribute heavily to the problem.
Racial and economic disparities are also stark. Black, Native American, and low-income mothers are disproportionately affected, often facing systemic challenges that delay or prevent early prenatal visits.
In some counties, more than half of expectant mothers begin care late or do not receive care at all.
Health advocates say the findings reveal systemic failures in maternal healthcare. Despite the United States’ advanced medical infrastructure, pregnant women in many communities continue to experience dangerous gaps in access, which can have lifelong consequences for families.
The report also emphasizes the critical role of early prenatal care in detecting complications, providing vaccines, offering nutritional guidance, and preparing mothers for safe deliveries. Missing the first-trimester window reduces opportunities for life-saving interventions and comprehensive monitoring.
March of Dimes officials called the new data “alarming,” urging policymakers at both state and federal levels to address healthcare access gaps, expand Medicaid coverage, increase provider availability, and strengthen public awareness campaigns to ensure early care.
Experts warn that if the trend continues unchecked, the U.S. may see worsening maternal and infant health outcomes, potentially reversing decades of progress in reducing preventable deaths.
For many women like those Dr. Baker treats, the reality is stark: systemic inequities, financial constraints, and geographic barriers combine to create a dangerous prenatal care crisis that threatens the well-being of mothers and their children.