Rural women in Colorado with 'high-risk' pregnancies often travel long distances or take helicopters for care

Women in rural Colorado who encounter pregnancy complications often face long drives for care, with some having to take helicopters to reach treatment at a larger medical center. "Every year, more than 60 air medical transfers are made for pregnant patients in Colorado’s Eastern Plains, where helicopters regularly fly in to transport them to hospitals," reports Priya Shahi of Rocky Mountain PBS.

Graph by Priya Shahi, from Prowers Medical Center data

As more rural hospitals reduce or end obstetric care, emergency transportation, such as helicopters, has become more common. Emergency air flight can be for the health of the mom, the unborn baby or for after-delivery specialty care.

In Lamar, Colo., pregnant patients can receive routine prenatal care at Prowers Medical Center; however, its obstetric care is limited and expecting moms with more "high-risk" conditions are often transferred or flown to facilities with higher levels of care. 

While some women don't need more expert care or equipment until closer to delivery, some have to travel long distances throughout pregnancy. One patient in Lamar "has to make bimonthly trips to Colorado Springs just for ultrasounds," Shahi writes. 

She told Shahi, "My husband has to take time off just to take me, so we lose income just to go that far. We’re already struggling in the economy that it is. To take me up there for a two-minute appointment, it’s rough." A one-way drive from Lamar to Colorado Springs takes roughly 3 hours.