Pregnant and Poor in the Suburb: The Experiences of Economically Disadvantaged Women of Color with Prenatal Services in a Wealthy Suburban County

This study explores the perinatal care experiences of disadvantaged women of color in a wealthy U.S. suburb. The women were asked to discuss the availability of health & social services during pregnancy, continuity of provider &/or treatment, communication issues with their providers, & the amount & type of support & resources available. Many of the questions covered in literature on urban poverty emerged as well in this suburban sample, including economic & psychosocial barriers, & continuity & communication issues between low-income/minority women & providers of health & social services. Additional barriers in the suburbs were also discussed, including problems of access to care & services, with health insurance/reimbursement or financial accessibility, transportation & housing, & getting needed information. Over-all findings support the argument that suburban poverty is an overlooked issue contributing to health disparities in infant mortality. Adapted from the source document.