Why Prenatal Care is Important
Prenatal care throughout pregnancy can help doctors find and treat health issues. Patients who have a UTI, for example, can be given antibiotics. Those who have high blood sugar may be put on a strict diet. And those who are at risk for pre-eclampsia—a condition that causes dangerously high blood pressure late in pregnancy—may be told to take a daily baby aspirin to lower their risk.
How Prenatal Care Can Prevent Congenital Syphilis
Similarly, patients who test positive for syphilis can be treated before they risk passing it to their baby. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. If a pregnant patient has syphilis, they can pass that infection to their baby. This is called congenital syphilis, and it can be dangerous.
Congenital syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and even infant death. Babies born with syphilis can face lifelong medical issues. Public health experts recommend that all pregnant patients be tested for syphilis at their first prenatal appointment and then again before birth. Patients who test positive can be treated with antibiotics.
Unfortunately, congenital syphilis has been rising in recent years. There were 3,755 babies born with congenital syphilis in 2022 alone. This is over 10 times more babies than were born with syphilis in 2012. Congenital syphilis is more likely in people who haven’t received prenatal care.
Why Prenatal Care is Declining
The new CDC study did not look at why fewer pregnant patients are getting early prenatal care, but there are likely many factors. Some women may not have health insurance and not be able to pay for care throughout their pregnancy. Others may not be able to find a provider close to home.
A 2024 March of Dimes report found that over a third of U.S. counties don’t have a single doctor, nurse, midwife, or medical center specializing in maternity care. These areas are called “maternity care deserts.”
Public health experts are urging pregnant women to seek early prenatal and calling on states and the federal government to help address the barriers to care.