Pregnant and poor in the suburb: the experiences of economically disadvantaged women of color with prenatal services in a wealthy suburban county

This study explores the perinatal care experiences of disadvantaged women of color in a wealthy U.S. suburb. The women were asked to discuss the availability of health and social services during pregnancy, continuity of provider and/or treatment, communication issues with their providers, and the amount and type of support and resources available. Many of the questions covered in literature on urban poverty emerged as well in this suburban sample, including economic and psychosocial barriers, and continuity and communication issues between low-income/minority women and providers of health and social services. Additional barriers in the suburbs were also discussed, including problems of access to care and services, with health insurance/reimbursement or financial accessibility, transportation and housing, and getting needed information. Overall findings support the argument that suburban poverty is an overlooked issue contributing to health disparities in infant mortality.