29 Sep 2025 Community leaders, experts and mothers tackle maternal health crisis on Thursday

Posted at 8:44 PMh in News by

LITTLE ROCK — On Thursday, Oct. 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock, six courageous women will take the stage to share personal stories of pregnancy, birth and motherhood in Arkansas. These narratives aim to underscore the human cost behind the maternal health crisis in our state while celebrating the resiliency of mothers.

Arkansas is facing a maternal health crisis that touches families in every corner of the state. The state has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country — about 43.5 deaths for every 100,000 live births — and nearly all these deaths are preventable. Too many parents struggle to get the care they need: Nearly one in five receive inadequate prenatal care, and almost half of Arkansas counties have no birthing hospital or maternity care provider at all. Black women and families in rural communities face the greatest obstacles, often traveling long distances for care and confronting higher rates of complications. Behind every statistic is a story and this event aims to center the voices of women — their challenges and triumphs, their heartbreak and hope — as they strive to bring children into the world. 

Following the storytelling, a panel discussion will feature experts and advocates from leading organizations, including:

  • Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
  • Arkansas Birthing Project
  • Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM)
  • The Doula Alliance of Arkansas
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Together, they will explore the systemic barriers facing expectant and new mothers and discuss strategies to improve outcomes.