Birthing risks rise in SD as another hospital ends service

[Quiet Em]

The elimination of birthing services at Winner Regional Health hospital will force dozens of expectant mothers in a wide swath of south-central South Dakota to drive one to two hours on rural highways to give birth under the care of a doctor.

“Anytime someone has to travel in pre-labor or active labor, it could cause a negative outcome,” Williams said. “Obviously the closer you are (to a birthing hospital) the better off you’ll be.”

Health experts across the country are increasingly concerned that the reduction in birthing sites, especially in rural areas, will lead to more health complications and even deaths among mothers and children.

The state ranks second-worst in the nation for percentage of counties without delivery services or obstetric care. North Dakota is the nation’s worst, with 74% of counties without birthing services, with South Dakota having 56% of counties without the service,

“We shouldn’t have to risk our license or our freedom when conducting a medically necessary procedure,” she said.

Kelley, who works on state affairs for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and also attends national conferences, said she’s heard numerous delivery doctors across the country say they won’t practice in states where abortion bans could put them in legal jeopardy.

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/birthing-risks-rise-in-sd-as-another-hospital-ends-service/

These are real problems women are facing with real life consequences. Not some made up crap about us needing protection in the bathroom or on the co-ed soccer field.

[Historic NY]

1. One of them Pro-life run states.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. The only ones who can help them

Are the South Dakota government.

[Tickle]

3. They are birthing centers?

Then why are they closing because of abortion? Am I reading it wrong?

[Quiet Em]

4. Lack of OB-GYNs is one of the issues in the closings of the centers

the other is, well, greed. Many rural pregnancies are poor peole who are covered by Medicaid and they are shutting down because it's not profitable.

In the end though, all pregnant women are being harmed. Marternal moribidity and mortality is going to rise.