Maternal Mortality in Northern Virginia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.3014Keywords:
Maternal Mortality, Northern Virginia, Maternal Health, Role of OBGYNs in Maternal Healthcare, Role of Physicians in Maternal Healthcare, Semi-Structured Interviews, Socioeconomic FactorsAbstract
This study examines maternal mortality in Virginia, with a specific focus on the insights of physicians in Northern Virginia. Through semi-structured interviews, I have explored the experiences, challenges, and recommendations of physicians for enhancing maternal healthcare. Key areas of investigation include the identification of high-risk pregnancies, opportunities for hospital-level improvements, and the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on maternal health initiatives.
The research highlights significant barriers to care, encompassing limited access to services, complexities in insurance and Medicaid coverage, and a fragmented system of coordinated care throughout pregnancy and postpartum. While Virginia has made strides by expanding Medicaid to cover postpartum care for up to a year and supporting midwife and doula services, crucial gaps persist. These include the absence of mandated mental health screenings during pregnancy and a lack of required paid parental leave.
Ultimately, this paper aims to provide policymakers and healthcare administrators with actionable recommendations. These recommendations aim to enhance healthcare access, address underlying socioeconomic disparities, improve healthcare system coordination, and ensure robust postpartum support, ultimately working to reduce maternal mortality rates for all pregnant individuals.
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