Maternal and Infant Health
Infographics

9 Points on a Healthy Birthing Journey

May 12, 2025

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ACHI Communications
501-526-2244
jlyon@achi.net

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Arkansas’s maternal mortality and infant mortality rates are among the highest in the nation. This is a crisis requiring a multifaceted approach that addresses the entire birthing journey, from pre-pregnancy through delivery and into the postpartum period. This infographic depicts what that journey for new mothers should be in order to achieve better maternal and infant health outcomes.

    References

      1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistance Secretary for Health, Office on Women’s Health. (2021). Preconception health. Retrieved May 8, 2025. womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/preconception-health
      2. America’s Health Rankings. 2023 Health of women and children report. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/learn/reports/2023-health-of-women-and-children-report/state-summaries-arkansas
      3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Guidelines for perinatal care (8th ed). American Academy of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1542/9781610020886
      4. March of Dimes. (2024). Prenatal care. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?top=5&lev=1&stop=33&reg=99&sreg=05&obj=8&slev=4
      5. National Health Law Program. Doula Medicaid Project. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/
      6. Caughey, A. B., Cahill, A. G., Guise, J.-M., & Rouse, D.J. (2014). Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 210(3), 179–193. DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2014.01.026
      7. Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. (2023, October). C-section rates in Arkansas. https://achi.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/231024D_First-Births-C-Section-Infographic.pdf
      8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, February 24). Breastfeeding report card. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/breastfeeding-report-card/index.html
      9. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Implementing perinatal mental health screening. Retrieved. May 8, 2025. https://www.acog.org/programs/perinatal-mental-health/implementing-perinatal-mental-health-screening
      10. Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center. The prenatal-to-3 system of care in Arkansas. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://pn3policy.org/pn-3-state-policy-roadmap-2024/ar/
      11. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018, May). Optimizing postpartum care. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care
      12. Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee. 2024 AMMRC Factsheet. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Factsheet-2024-Final.pdf
      13. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2025, March 11). AAP schedule of well-child care visits. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Well-Child-Care-A-Check-Up-for-Success.aspx
      14. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Child and adult health care quality measures. Medicaid.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2025. https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/quality-of-care/performance-measurement/adult-and-child-health-care-quality-measures/index.html
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