ATLANTA — A new report shows many Georgia mothers face limited access to maternity care, particularly in rural parts of the state.
The March of Dimes 2026 Maternity Care Deserts report finds nearly half of Georgia counties are considered maternity care deserts.
The report says the shortage affects nearly 158,000 women and about 10,000 births each year.
Nearly 65% of Georgia counties do not have a birthing facility, according to the report. About 159,000 women in Georgia live more than 30 minutes from a hospital that provides labor and delivery services.
The report also found obstetric clinician shortages are more severe in rural areas, where nearly 58% of counties lack obstetric clinicians.
That compares with about 19% of urban counties, highlighting the gap in access to maternity care across the state.
