Medical Minute: March Of Dimes Offers Maternal Care Services To Expecting Moms

Across the nation, several counties do not have hospitals that provide O-B services for expecting mothers.

March of Dimes, a non-profit organization, is determined to assist and provide maternal care to expecting mothers by bringing in mobile health-care units to cities that lack proper care.

Through the support and care that March of Dimes provides, expecting mothers without access to essential maternity care or insurance can be treated efficiently.

Jennifer Eleribe, a March of Dimes patient and who currently does not have insurance, was struggling to find prenatal care that met her needs as an expecting mother.

Eleribe detailed how having access to maternal care during pregnancy is crucial to not only the mother's health, but the baby's' as well.

"During pregnancy it's important to go to the doctor. They'll be able to check abnormalities," Eleribe said.

Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, the CEO of March of Dimes, explained how rural areas that are deemed "maternity deserts," can be detrimental to the access that expecting mothers have to maternal care.

"In rural South Dakota, you're driving 15 miles, can you imagine for one pre-natal visit, we know women who don't get prenatal care are three to four times more likely to die," Cherot said.

Certified Nurse Midwife, Billie Hamilton Powell, described the positive effect that March of Dimes can have on expecting mothers across the country.

"I don't want a woman to worry about am I going to pay my rent, or am I going to pay for my deductible, or not get my pre-natal care - this is going to solve that problem," Hamilton Powell said.

For more information on March of Dimes, click here.