Local health officials encourage prenatal care amid national decrease

By Leah Rainwater

St. Joseph health care providers are emphasizing local pregnancy resources as national data shows prenatal treatment in the first trimester has slightly declined over the past few years.

“Typically when you go to your OB, it’s 13 to 14 prenatal visits before your delivery,” said Jennifer Buch, a clinic supervisor at the St. Joseph Health Department. “We’re not seeing people come in quite as often. They’re coming in and only seeing a provider, maybe three to four times before delivery.”

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that 2023 is the second year in a row where prenatal treatment within the first trimester has declined.

In 2021, about 78.3% of women were receiving prenatal care. That number decreased to 77% in 2022 and then to 76.1% in 2023.

Although those drops might seem small, there were over 3.5 million registered births in the United States.

Buch said there are a few reasons as to why women aren’t receiving this care.

“You see a lot of people, as far as their lifestyle and their cultural differences, they didn’t want to come out, or they would just come out when it was time for delivery,” Buch said. “It’s important for moms to know that if they’re scared, as far as being stigmatized because they are pregnant, or because they feel like they don’t have the appropriate resources or support … just know that there’s other people out there. As far as putting trust into the medical profession, know that we’re here to keep you and your baby safe.”

Buch said not receiving prenatal care can increase risks for both the mom and baby, especially if the mother has any chronic issues.

Additionally, it’s important to monitor blood sugars, mental health, weight and conditions that can occur during pregnancy as well. Buch said going to check-ups regularly can help with tracking all of these and receiving proper care.

Another reason women aren’t receiving prenatal care is because of the lack of resources or help around them.

Buch said the St. Joseph Health Department has a variety of resources to assist women through pregnancy.

“As far as a financial issue, as far as pregnancy goes, we start off the paperwork by providing you education as far as temporary Medicaid,” said Buch. “We work with Mosaic Life Care in order to complete the process so you can be covered during your pregnancy and after delivery, postpartum, for care for your pregnancy.”

Buch also said registering for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program can help with supplemental and nutritional needs for mom and baby.

The health department also has the ”Baby and Me, Tobacco Free” program for women to quit smoking during their pregnancy and post-partum.