Global Study Highlights Gaps and Changes in Maternal Healthcare in Australia, USA, and UK

Recent international research conducted by Flinders University sheds light on significant shifts and disparities in maternal health across Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom over the past two decades. The study, titled "Pregnancy and Birth Trends Across Australia, the United States of America and the United Kingdom," analyzes how societal, economic, and systemic factors influence pregnancy outcomes and maternal care.

One of the most prominent trends identified is the tendency for women to have children later in life. The average age of first-time mothers has risen steadily, with many women now commencing motherhood at 35 years or older. Factors contributing to this shift include career ambitions, financial pressures, and increased access to contraception, reflecting broader societal changes. While older mothers tend to engage more proactively with prenatal care, they also face heightened health risks such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and higher rates of cesarean deliveries.

The research also notes a decline in fertility and birth rates across all three countries, with rates falling below the levels needed to sustain population growth without immigration. This decline is associated with economic challenges, evolving family structures, and personal choices. Despite the overall reduction in births, there is a noted increase in deliveries among Indigenous and minority women, who continue to encounter considerable health disparities.

Maternal mortality remains a critical concern, especially in the U.S., where Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic women experience significantly higher mortality rates. Conversely, in Australia and the UK, maternal death rates are comparatively lower, but gaps in care for Indigenous and migrant women highlight ongoing inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues by disrupting prenatal services and hospital care, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.

The study points out increasing cesarean section rates, especially among older women and those in private hospitals, which may be driven by personal preference or systemic practices rather than improved clinical necessity. Additionally, the prevalence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders is rising, predominantly affecting older women and certain ethnic groups, raising concerns about both immediate and long-term health risks.

Encouraging trends include a decline in smoking during pregnancy and improved breastfeeding rates, notably in Australia and the UK. However, younger mothers still smoke more frequently, and breastfeeding efforts in the U.S. remain hampered by the lack of a comprehensive paid maternity leave policy.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions to promote health equity, cultural safety, and system responsiveness. Policy recommendations include setting national goals to diminish maternal mortality, adopting proven care models like midwifery-led continuity of care, expanding culturally sensitive programs such as Australia’s Birthing on Country, and addressing systemic biases through training. The authors advocate for universal paid parental leave, improved postpartum care, and tackling social determinants like housing and income to improve pregnancy outcomes.

A call is made for establishing an international maternal health equity taskforce to coordinate efforts globally, working toward reducing disparities and ensuring equitable, safe, and comprehensive maternity care for all women.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-reveals-gaps-maternal-health-australia.html