Rural areas across the US, including southern Iowa, are experiencing a decline in birth rates, leading to the closure of many obstetrics units in hospitals. Factors contributing to this trend include a decrease in the overall number of births nationwide and population shifts away from rural areas. Hospitals struggle to maintain staffing and financial viability with dwindling numbers of births, leading to safety concerns for pregnant women. However, some hospitals, like the one in Oskaloosa, Iowa, are bucking the trend by expanding obstetrics services and recruiting new providers. The future of rural obstetrics care remains uncertain due to ongoing challenges.
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Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
