National survey finds maternal care failures hit women of color hardest

A new national survey of 3,857 mothers finds widespread disrespect, untreated mental health needs and limited access to midwives and doulas, with Black, Indigenous and other women of color reporting worse outcomes. The findings add pressure on policymakers as Medicaid cuts and reproductive health restrictions are worsening maternal care gaps.

Why it matters: - The survey adds fresh evidence that maternal health care in the U.S. still fails many women, especially Black mothers, American Indian/Alaska Native mothers and other women of color. - The findings point to real-world harms, including untreated mental health conditions, disrespectful care and limited access to supportive birth options. - The report lands as Medicaid cuts, hospital closures, labor and delivery unit shutdowns and reproductive health restrictions are making access problems worse.

What happened: - The National Partnership for Women & Families, with MomsRising and the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, released the fourth national Listening to Mothers survey. - The survey is based on responses from 3,857 mothers of infants and toddlers across the country. - The organizations describe it as the most comprehensive survey of its kind in a decade. - The release was positioned as part of the maternal health policy debate in Washington.

The details: - More than 40% of respondents said providers did not respond in a timely manner when help was requested. - 17% said they were ignored or neglected. - Survey responses also described feeling unheard, dismissed and not informed before care decisions were made. - The survey found high rates of anxiety and depression before, during and after pregnancy. - Rates of mental health conditions were highest among American Indian/Alaska Native mothers, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander mothers and Black mothers. - More than half of these women received no counseling or medication treatment. - Cost and a shortage of maternal mental health providers were listed as reasons treatment was out of reach. - Only 5% of women had a birth without at least one major medical intervention. - Just over half of births were scheduled in advance, either as a scheduled cesarean birth or by inducing labor. - When providers recommended induction, the reason given half the time was that the mother was nearing her due date. - Midwives were used by only 8% of respondents. - Most respondents had no doula support. - Women of color, Medicaid enrollees, young mothers and women with disabilities reported worse experiences across many measures. - The National Partnership for Women & Families said the survey reflects three years of work and a commitment to keep pushing for change.

Between the lines: - The report suggests maternal health inequity is not just about outcomes at birth. It also includes communication failures, lack of consent, mental health access and limited support during pregnancy and postpartum. - The low use of midwives and doulas suggests many mothers are not getting care models that may better match their preferences for support and respect. - The release frames the issue as a systems problem, not just an individual provider problem, with policy decisions shaping access and outcomes. - Jocelyn Frye said women are facing disrespect, denial of care and dismissed concerns at every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. - Dr. Nima Sheth said the evidence and expertise already exist, but political will is missing. - Danielle Rivers said centering the experiences of Black women and birthing people is necessary to improve maternal health. - Tina Sherman said the survey is critical to helping policymakers address what she called a public health emergency.

What’s next: - The National Partnership for Women & Families said it will keep fighting for changes mothers identified as needed. - The data is likely to be used to push lawmakers and health systems toward more respectful care, better mental health treatment and stronger support for community-based birth workers. - The organizations are urging policymakers to act on the survey findings to make pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care safer and more equitable.

The bottom line: - The survey portrays maternal care in the U.S. as inconsistent, inequitable and often unresponsive, with women of color bearing the heaviest burden.