Access to Prenatal Care in Rockbridge County: A Community-Based Research Project

Abstract

This paper, which will function as my Women’s and Gender Studies capstone, results from a semester-long look into the issues of prenatal and maternal health care services for women and infants residing in Rockbridge County, with a specific focus on women and infants of lower socioeconomic status. Because the maternity ward is unlikely to reopen, due to limited patient numbers and financial constraints, I also offer potential solutions that will help to ensure that all women, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to the prenatal care they need to guarantee healthy outcomes for themselves and their children. [From introductory section]