New York, December 10, 2025
A recent review reveals that maternity care conditions are significantly worse than previously understood, with reports of hungry mothers and unsanitary hospital wards across various regions, notably affecting low-income settings and parts of the United States. These findings highlight an urgent need for systemic reforms to improve maternal health outcomes globally.
Poor Maternity Care Conditions Unveiled
The review draws attention to critical deficiencies in maternity care environments, including neglect manifesting as inadequate nourishment for mothers and the maintenance of dirty wards. Such conditions not only degrade the dignity of childbirth but also contribute to poor health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Increasing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
Globally, maternal and newborn mortality remain pressing challenges, particularly in fragile and low-income countries. In the United States, these issues have deteriorated, with rising maternal mortality rates and growing numbers of women encountering severe pregnancy-related complications. Over 35% of U.S. counties are now classified as maternity care deserts—areas lacking obstetric providers or birthing facilities—exacerbating access problems.
Persistent Inequities and Facility Failures
The report underscores persistent racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. Marginalized communities disproportionately experience mistreatment and unsafe care practices within clinical settings. Symptoms such as hungry mothers and dirty wards are emblematic of systemic failures that perpetuate disrespect and obstetric violence worldwide, undermining respectful maternity care standards.
Expert Endorsements for Midwifery and Community-Based Models
Health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), advocate for expanding midwifery models as a cost-effective, evidence-based approach to improving care quality and restoring women’s autonomy. Community-based and non-invasive care models are promoted to address both physical access challenges and quality deficits.
Simultaneously, experts call for increased investment in the maternal care workforce to confront shortages that intensify care deserts and decrease service availability. Establishing birthing centers in underserved regions is further recommended to enhance geographical access.
Systemic Failures Demand Immediate Attention
Underlying these conditions is a backdrop of systemic inadequacies that threaten the health and dignity of mothers worldwide. The revelations of neglect and poor facility standards signal an urgent call for policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to implement comprehensive reforms focused on respectful, woman-centered care.
Addressing these deficits is vital for improving maternal health globally and eliminating longstanding inequities. The findings reinforce that without substantial changes to care models and resource allocation, maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity will continue their concerning trends.