While the number of obstetrics and gynecology clinics is increasing nationwide due to declining birth rates, there are many general hospitals without obstetrics and gynecology departments in rural areas of Virginia, which means that mothers are experiencing great difficulties.
According to the media outlet Axios, there are currently 29 general hospitals in rural areas of Virginia, but 20 of them, or about 70%, do not have obstetrics and gynecology departments to take care of the health of pregnant women or newborns.
For this reason, pregnant women living in rural Virginia must drive an average of 29.2 miles to receive necessary medical services, such as regular checkups, and in Lee County, they must travel more than 66 miles, which is a huge inconvenience.