Early Prenatal Care, Considered Best for Moms and Babies, Is on the Decline in the US

Early prenatal care declines in Washington and across US

Nearly a quarter of pregnant women aren’t getting prenatal care in the early stages of pregnancy, according to a new analysis from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The share of pregnant women getting prenatal care had been improving: It rose between 2016 and 2021 to a high of more than 78%, but then declined to 75.5% by 2024, wiping out previous gains. The trend is worrying because getting care early in pregnancy can improve …

Early prenatal care, considered best for moms and babies, is on the decline in the US

Early prenatal care improves the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. But a new federal report shows it’s been on the decline. The share of U.S. births to women who began prenatal care in the first trimester dropped…