The birth rate in Colorado has been declining for the past 20 years, leading to challenges in sustaining maternity care services, particularly in rural areas. Mesa County, for example, has seen a one-third decrease in its birth rate over the past 15 years. Statewide, the live birth rate has dropped significantly from 34.8 to 23.6 per 1,000 women between 2006 and 2023.
The lack of access to maternity care facilities has been identified as a significant issue, with 37.5% of Colorado counties classified as maternity care deserts. Six hospitals in the state, mainly in rural areas, have closed their labor and delivery units since 2018. As a result, many counties on the Western Slope are struggling to provide adequate maternity care services.
Despite the overall decline in birth rates, some hospitals, like Community Hospital’s labor and delivery unit, have seen an increase in births by offering personalized care and a more comfortable environment for patients. However, the closure of Bloomin’ Babies, the only freestanding birth center on the Western Slope, raised concerns about access to alternative birthing options.
Former patients of Bloomin’ Babies expressed disappointment in the closure, emphasizing the importance of having a middle ground between hospital births and at-home births for pregnant individuals. While hospitals like St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Mesa County offer various modes of childbirth, some patients feel that the unique and comforting environment provided by freestanding birth centers cannot be replicated in a hospital setting.
The decline in birth rates and closures of maternity care facilities highlight the need for a more comprehensive and accessible maternity care network in Colorado to ensure safe and high-quality care for pregnant individuals across the state, particularly in rural areas.
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