Maternal Health

This content offers an exploration of maternal health data, reports, and barriers to prenatal care in Iowa.

Maternal Mortality Review Committee Reports (MMRC)

Previous reports can be found on the Iowa Publications Online archive.

Medicaid Maternal Health Data

Maternal and newborn health outcomes based on Medicaid status – Annual Reports.

The annual reports rely on a linkage of the Iowa Certificate of Live Birth to Medicaid-paid claims for selected calendar years. The data linkage is pursuant to Senate File 538, 1989 Iowa General Assembly.

Access to Obstetrical Care in Iowa: A Report to the Iowa State Legislature

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, submits an annual report in response to a 1997 mandate that amended Iowa Code 135.11 (12), which requires Iowa HHS to consult with the office of statewide clinical education programs at the university of Iowa college of medicine and annually submit a report to the general assembly by January 15 verifying the number of physicians in active practice in Iowa by county who are engaged in providing obstetrical care. To the extent data are readily available, the report shall include information concerning the number of deliveries per year by specialty and county, the age of physicians performing deliveries, and the number of current year graduates of the University of Iowa College of Medicine and the Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center entering into residency programs in obstetrics, gynecology, and family medicine. The report may include additional data relating to access to obstetrical services that may be available.

These annual reports provide an overview of Iowa’s obstetrical workforce and related topics for 5-year time periods. 

Barriers to Prenatal Care

The findings in this summary are based on the Iowa Barriers to Prenatal Care project. Ongoing since 1991, the purpose of this project is to obtain brief, accurate information about women delivering babies in Iowa hospitals. 

Specifically, the project seeks to learn about women’s experiences getting prenatal or delivery care during their current pregnancy. Other information is included which may be pertinent to health planners or those concerned with the systematic development of health care services.

This project is a cooperative venture of all of Iowa’s maternity hospitals, the University of Northern Iowa Center for Social and Behavioral Research, and the Iowa Department of Public Health, and is directed by Dr. Mary Losch, University of Northern Iowa Center for Social and Behavioral Research. 

How Data is Gathered

The questionnaire is distributed to over sixty birthing hospitals across the state of Iowa. Nursing staff or those responsible for obtaining birth certificate information in the obstetrics unit are responsible for approaching all birthing mothers prior to dismissal to request their participation in the study.  

Questions & Data Requests

Questions concerning this project or additional data requests may be addressed to:

Mary Losch, Ph.D. 
Director, Center for Social & Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0402
Phone: (319) 273-2105 
Fax: (319) 273-3104

Rodney Muilenburg, B.A. 
Associate Field Supervisor, Center for Social & Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0402
Phone: (319) 273-2105 
Fax: (319) 273-3104

Recommended Citation: Losch, M.E., Muilenburg, R., & Strong,S. (2015). Iowa Barriers to Prenatal Care Project. Iowa Department of Public Health, University of Northern Iowa Center for Social and Behavioral Research: 2014 Data Summary.

Other Maternal Health Reports & Data Sources