January 2024
Pee Dee Region, SC – Pregnant mothers across the nation are seeing labor wards are shutting down in rural areas, but this maternal health crisis can be see in the Pee Dee as well.
Syntrell Thompson, owner and founder of nonprofit, Maternity Health and Resource Centers, still keeps the people in the Pee Dee Region in the know of happenings when it comes to those prenatal, already pregnant and post pregnancy.
In rural communities in the state of South Carolina, there are ‘labor deserts’ or what some organizations call, ‘Maternity Care Deserts.’ These are locations where there are not enough obstetrics units and birth centers. These spaces are also known as a labor wards. Across the country, they are being shut down.
Thompson said the lack of labor wards in the rural areas across the state leads to pregnant women traveling to different cities to give birth.
“In the Pee Dee Region, Florence gets folks from Williamsburg County, Lake City, Marion and Lee County to give birth,” she said. “There’s definitely a crisis of women having to travel in order to deliver.”
She said because of this, organizations like hers have made efforts to advocate for pregnant women and encourage women to advocate for themselves while going through delivery and post delivery.
She said this is important because up to a year after delivery, complications can still arise for mothers. Postpartum, also known as “the fourth trimester” new mothers have to watch themselves because blood clots (among other things) can form. Women can pass away from those blood clots.
Not just that, but South Carolina has high infant mortality rates. This can stem from social determinants that affect the health of the mother and the newborn. Social determinants can be race, poverty, exposure to crime and more.
Here is an upcoming event that focuses on this.
She said that’s why her organization Maternity Health and Resource Centers are constantly checking on moms and travel to different cities in the state to help them.
“It’s more than just diaper giveaways,” she said. “We talk to moms to make sure moms don’t lose their medicaid and understand the benefits of their medicaid.”
That’s not a minor task.
Thompson added on how expensive baby formula are. Cost of baby formula starts at $30.
“Who can afford that when you run out of it so fast?” She inquired.
While her organization partners with other organizations monthly for diaper giveaways, community showers and food distributions, she said so much more is needed to be done. She mentioned teen pregnancy is still out there, teaching about safe sleeps for babies, car seat safety is taught and families need help to pay for childcare.
For those wondering why she goes so hard, one of the reasons is her time in childcare in her mid-20s, then she went to Early Head Start and then children’s outreach.
Follow her group on Facebook to read more about upcoming events of hers and other organizations like hers. Thompson will be recognized at the 2024 Impact Awards Gala event in February for her efforts.
