Texas Ranks Sixth in U.S. for Midwife Shortages and Preterm Birth Risks

TEXAS (TXAN 24) — A new national study has placed Texas among the top 10 most dangerous states for expecting mothers, ranking sixth overall due to midwife shortages and high preterm birth rates.

The research, conducted by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, scored all 50 states based on two factors: the number of births per midwife in 2023 and average preterm birth rates from 2018–2022. Texas scored a 70 out of 100, with 61.31 births per midwife (earning 39 out of 50 points for shortage severity) and an 11.04% preterm birth rate (31 out of 50 points).

While Texas does not top the list, its vast geographic spread and significant disparities in healthcare access — especially in rural areas — contribute to the high-risk ranking.

A spokesperson for the Birth Injury Lawyers Group said the data shows “states with inadequate midwifery support and maternal healthcare infrastructure tend to create more dangerous environments for expecting mothers.” They added that increasing the number of certified midwives, improving prenatal care programs, and investing in maternal health facilities could help reverse these trends.

The study used data from the CDC and the American Midwifery Certification Board, examining how gaps in healthcare resources directly impact the safety of childbirth across the nation.

For more details, visit birthinjurylawyer.com.