Above the Fold: Midwives addressing maternal healthcare shortage

Between 2020-21, eight Iowa hospitals saw the closure of their labor and delivery units, and 40 more were at risk of total closure in 2022 due to low or non-existent financial reserves, and a negative financial margin over three years.

Natalie Dunlap, Assistant Digital Editor

November 13, 2023

Emily Nyberg/The Daily Iowan

Allie Kubik, a Midwife with Rooted in Love Midwifery checks Megan and James Swanson’s first child’s heart beat during their 24-hour appointment after having a home first on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Kubik along with her friend and business partner Moira Weitz aided Swanson in her delivery and throughout her pregnancy.

The farther a woman travels to receive maternity care, the higher the risk of maternal morbidity and poor outcomes for infants. In Iowa, 14 percent of women live more than 30 minutes from a birthing hospital compared to the U.S. average of 9.7 percent.

Above the Fold is hosted and produced by Natalie Dunlap.