IN OTHER NEWS – A new survey recently ranked Georgia among the top 10 worst states to have a baby in the United States.

Release:

Many women are dissatisfied with the state of maternal healthcare in the U.S.

A recent Harris Poll survey found only 42% of women who are pregnant or have been pregnant say they had access to the best possible medical care while pregnant. Likewise, only 44% felt they had access to the best possible medical care during delivery.  

In some states, expecting mothers are more likely to encounter high childbirth costs, a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, and increased risks during delivery. So, which states are the worst to have a baby in? 

To find out, Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states across five key metrics. 

We found that Georgia ranks #10 among the worst states to have a baby. 

The 5 Worst States To Have A Baby: 

1. Arkansas: Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate (43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births) and the second highest infant mortality rate (7.88 deaths per 1,000 live births).
2. South Dakota: South Dakota has the third highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,577 on average) and the sixth highest infant mortality rate (7.05 deaths per 1,000 live births). 
3. Alaska: Alaska has the fourth highest cost of childbirth without health insurance or through an out-of-network provider ($42,180 median cost) and the seventh highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,473 on average). 
4. Oklahoma: Oklahoma has the second highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,598 on average) and the state is projected to have the fourth lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (66.1%).
5. Tennessee: Tennessee has the third highest maternal mortality rate (41.7 deaths per 100,000 live births) and the fifth highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,507 on average).

Find the full report, including the methodology and infographics, here.