Financial stability during pregnancy is important for positive outcomes for both mothers and babies; globally many factors related to the quality of healthcare available to pregnant women, availability of nutritious foods, and safety of living environments are tied to a family’s economic stability; however, due to financial instability, many pregnant women do not have the ability to ensure their own health and the health of their baby(ies). Financial instability is a significant risk factor from a global health standpoint and is strongly correlated with negative perinatal outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, and increased maternal and infant mortality.
The time of pregnancy is an especially vulnerable time for any woman; however, for women who experience financial instability, the risks are compounded. Expectant mothers who are financially unstable may be forced to delay obtaining medical care for themselves, which may result in complications during their pregnancy. Additionally, financial pressures can increase the amount of stress an individual experiences, and it has been documented that it has a detrimental impact on a mother’s health and the development of her fetus. Furthermore, lower-income expectant mothers may struggle to acquire necessary items to assist them through pregnancy (healthy food, prenatal vitamins), childbirth, and postpartum care. Also, many countries continue to have inadequate access to healthcare and social services, and therefore, many pregnant women do not receive the supportive resources needed to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Although high-income countries provide access to healthcare, economic inequalities exist among all women regardless of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Lower-income women tend to experience greater rates of maternal depression, lower rates of breastfeeding, and reduced access to postnatal care. The difference in financial security between the highest and lowest-income households greatly affects birth outcomes and maternal health. An example of this disparity exists in the U.S., where racial and socioeconomic disparities are well-documented, and African-American and Latino mothers consistently report adverse perinatal outcomes compared to white mothers, which are generally attributed to economic inequities.
While some approaches to reducing financial insecurity may focus on providing broad-based relief (e.g., increasing the minimum wage), others focus on providing specific types of aid and/or services directly to individuals who are experiencing financial hardship (e.g., job training programs; food pantries).
Addressing financial insecurity through the provision of financial aid and/or services directly to those in need (e.g., paid parental leave; housing subsidies; access to medical services) has been shown to be effective at enhancing perinatal health outcomes.
Countries that have developed and implemented comprehensive maternal health programs — which include financial support for women before and after childbirth — have experienced improved maternal and infant health outcomes. In addition to providing financial assistance to these women, these policies also help reduce the stress associated with financial hardship and empower them to pursue needed prenatal care, resulting in improved maternal and child health.
In summary, financial instability is an important public health concern — not simply a personal one. Providing financial stability to all pregnant women around the world is critical to the improvement of perinatal health outcomes. The evidence clearly demonstrates that financial stability plays a fundamental role in helping ensure healthy beginnings for new mothers and their babies. Therefore, it is critical to address this public health problem — and to do so globally — if we wish to advance maternal and child health worldwide.
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