More than half of Nevada counties are considered maternal health care deserts, meaning there are zero birthing hospitals, obstetric and gynecological providers, and birth centers. So what does this mean for expectant parents, especially those from rural communities?
The four-part series The Long Road to Maternal Care explores maternal health care gaps, the patchwork of resources, and the unique role of doulas in rural Nevada. KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck reported this series while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 National Fellowship.
Lucia also hosted a roundtable with parents and doulas in Fallon and moderated a virtual event after the series was published to continue the conversation about solutions to improving access to rural maternal health care. Watch the webinar and explore the series in English and Spanish below, along with a behind-the-scenes interview.
Explore the series in English
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More than half of Nevada counties do not have a hospital that provides routine labor and delivery and is without an OB-GYN. The first installment to kick off the series The Long Road to Maternal Care explores maternal health care deserts. -
With half of Nevada’s counties considered maternal health care deserts, where do expectant parents find care? The second installment of The Long Road to Maternal Care series looks into the patchwork of resources for rural communities. -
As conversations on how to improve birth and maternal outcomes grow, birth workers like doulas are rising in popularity. The third installment of The Long Road to Maternal Care series breaks down what this profession does and what it means for it to be covered under Medicaid in Nevada. -
What role can doulas play for expectant parents in rural communities? For some moms in Northern Nevada, they’ve been a lifeline. The fourth and final installment of the series The Long Road to Maternal Care shines a light on those relationships. -
KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck just wrapped up her four-part series about maternal health care deserts in rural Nevada and the role doulas can play. She sat down with Morning Edition host Lori Gilbert of KNCC, KUNR’s sister station, to pull back the curtain and chat about what went into this project.
Watch the webinar in English
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Following KUNR Public Radio’s four-part series, on maternal health care deserts in rural Nevada and the role doulas play, KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck moderated a webinar with a doctor, doula, and state lawmaker to continue the conversation about solutions to improve rural maternal health care.
Explore la series en español
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Más de la mitad de los condados de Nevada carecen de un hospital que atienda partos rutinarios o de un ginecólogo-obstetra. El primer reportaje de la serie "El largo camino hacia la atención prenatal" explora los desiertos de atención prenatal.
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Con la mitad de los condados de Nevada considerados faltos de control prenatal, ¿dónde encuentran atención los futuros padres? La segunda entrega de la serie "El largo camino hacia la atención prenatal" analiza el entramado de recursos en las comunidades rurales.
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A medida que aumentan las conversaciones sobre cómo mejorar el parto y los pronósticos maternos, las parteras, como las doulas, son cada vez más populares. El tercer artículo de la serie "El largo camino hacia la atención prenatal" explica qué hacen las doulas y qué significa que sus servicios los cubra Medicaid en Nevada.
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¿Qué papel pueden desempeñar las doulas para los futuros padres de las comunidades rurales? Para algunas madres del norte de Nevada, han sido un salvavidas. La cuarta y última entrega de la serie "El largo camino hacia la atención prenatal" arroja luz sobre esas relaciones.