Data Highlight: Oklahoma ranks 29 (of 51) for adequate prenatal care. Vermont leads the nation with 90.9 percent of women receiving adequate prenatal care; in comparison, only 64.6 percent of women in New Mexico will receive adequate prenatal care. 8
DEFINITION
The percent of women who received adequate prenatal care, which is defined as care than begins in the 1st trimester, and includes 10 or more visits in 2018.8
Lookbook Vol. 2
Adequate Prenatal Care
OKLAHOMA 76.5 percent
NATIONAL AVERAGE 76.4 percent
Why We Care: Adequate access to prenatal care is vital to the health and well-being of the mother and baby during pregnancy. Regular doctor visits allow moms to address health concerns throughout the pregnancy, such as weight gain during pregnancy, which increases the likelihood the baby is born full term and at a healthy weight. Adequate weight gain is an important part of physical and cognitive development for the baby.9 It not only lessens the likelihood that an infant will require emergency care once born, but increases the chances that an infant will survive its first year. Improved infant outcomes help reduce maternal stress, while lessening the likelihood maternal mental health conditions will develop. It matters that women have consistent access to health care. Women who begin their pregnancies in good health are less likely to experience birth complications, making access to health care before pregnancy a critical piece of women’s and children’s health care. 10
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What We Can Do: - More intentionally publicize and support the enrollment processes for private, Tribal, and public (SoonerCare, Insure Oklahoma) insurers along with other localized resources providing pathways for early entry into prenatal care - Support organizations engaged in the implementation of Medicaid expansion
