Alabama Faces Maternity Unit Crisis as Hospitals Prepare for Closure

Three hospitals in Alabama, including one in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Birmingham, are set to close their maternity units, leaving two counties without any birthing hospitals. This will result in pregnant women having to travel longer distances to reach a hospital with obstetrics care, potentially leading to delays in emergency situations. Alabama already has a high maternal mortality rate and one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. The closures come as the state's need for obstetrics care is expected to rise due to its restrictive abortion laws. The financial challenges of keeping maternity units open and the lack of access to healthcare in rural areas contribute to the closure of obstetrics departments not only in Alabama but also in other states. The loss of these services can have serious consequences, including an increase in preterm births and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.