A new analysis has ranked Texas among the worst states in which to have a baby due to limited access to obstetricians, midwives, and pediatric care. The study prompted Texas residents to blame the Republican-led state government, arguing that it is not providing women with adequate conditions to have and raise children in the state.
As reported by the Austin American-Statesman, a new analysis by the financial website WalletHub ranked Texas as the 45th-worst state in which to have a baby. The ranking considered multiple factors, including access to health care, the number of midwives and OB-GYNs per capita, maternal mortality, prenatal care, the quality of women’s hospitals, and more.
The state also ranked poorly in childcare, which is both expensive and not widely available in some regions of Texas. Additionally, the report highlighted that Texas has a near-total abortion ban, making it more difficult for women to choose not to have children. Abortion access was not included in the ranking, however.
Texas Reacts to New Rankings of Worst States to Have a Baby
Texas residents were furious to see such a large state rank so poorly. Users on r/Texas blamed local politicians for failing to provide adequate support for women who want to have children: “40 years of republican rule really made a mess of things.” Someone else added: “Makes sense, Texas Republicans hate women.”
In the thread, multiple women shared stories about struggling to access important pregnancy-related services in Texas: “This is my 2nd (and last baby) in Texas. I have had to drive upwards of an hour for an OB that wasn’t going to let Jesus save me AND accepts my insurance. We will get 0 paid leave of any sort as the state doesn’t require it. They’ve also denied me a tubal because I’m not 26, which will be less than a year after this birth.”
Some believed they would not even be able to move elsewhere if they had children: “Was born here and have no means to move currently. Especially in this economy, the job market is trash. Add in me about to go on unpaid maternity leave, and you have a situation where you’re stuck.”
Another user criticized the state: “Limiting access to life-saving procedures causes death. Healthcare is a human issue, regardless of your politics or religious beliefs. This state is slithering back into the dark ages before my very eyes.”
It remains to be seen whether Texas will improve conditions for women who want to have children anytime soon, as problems like these could ultimately contribute to a declining birth rate in the state over the long term.
