HJAR May/Jun 2026

MATERNAL HEALTH 18 MAY / JUN 2026 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   of mental health conditions during the peri- natal period. By equipping professionals with evidence-based practices and a deeper understanding of the psychological chal- lenges faced by mothers during pregnancy and postpartum, the state aims to improve the quality of care and support available. Family Medicine Obstetrical Fellow- ship. More than half of Arkansas counties are maternal deserts. There is a shortage of obstetricians throughout the state, espe- cially in rural areas. To address the obstet- rical shortage, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) started a Fam- ily Medicine Obstetrical Fellowship, which provides advanced training for family medi- cine doctors seeking to enhance their skills in comprehensive obstetric care. This fel- lowship combines clinical experience with didactic education in areas such as prena- tal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum support. Fellows receive training and expe- rience in cesarean section procedures. By cultivating competencies in both fam- ily medicine and obstetrics, the fellowship prepares physicians to provide high-quality, patient-centered perinatal care, ultimately fostering improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes in rural communities. Midwife Programs. In 2025, UAMS gained approval for the state’s first nurse-mid- wifery program. The programwill admit 10 students across two cohorts in the 2026– 2027 academic year, with plans to expand the program in the coming years. Nurse-midwives play a crucial role in addressing the obstetrical provider short- age by providing comprehensive and holis- tic care to women throughout their repro- ductive lives, with a focus on pregnancy and childbirth. As advanced practice registered nurses, they are trained to manage pre- natal, intra-partum, and postnatal care, in addition to gynecologic and newborn care. Nurse-midwives emphasize a patient-cen- tered approach, advocating for informed choices and fostering strong relationships between themselves and their clients. Stud- ies have demonstrated mothers who receive care from nurse-midwives have outcomes that are better than traditional care. Nurse- midwives enhance access to quality obstet- ric care, particularly in underserved areas, making them an invaluable component of the maternal health landscape. In addition to the nurse-midwifery program, stake- holders are exploring starting a program to increase the use of certified professional midwives in the state. New or Expanded Programs Proactive PostpartumCall Center. UAMS established theArkansas Center forWomen and Infants’ Health, whose keystone proj- ect is the Proactive Postpartum Call Cen- ter. Launched in May 2025, the initiative is designed to provide support for newmoth- ers during the postpartum period. Reaching out to women five to 10 days after hospital discharge, call center nurses assess post- birth warning signs, postpartum depression, breastfeeding, infant care, and other needs such as insurance enrollment, food assis- tance, diapers, and housing. Nurses make immediate appropriate health referrals while on calls, and CHWs reach out shortly afterward to make referrals and assist at least three live births. Participants com- pleting the training have the opportunity to receive seven hours of college credit. Over the past two years, the state has trained more than 130 new doulas. Community Health Workers (CHWs). When fully integrated into care teams, CHWs can help address social determi- nants of health and care gaps. CHWs in the perinatal period are associated with reduced rates of preterm birth and low birth weight; increased breastfeeding, safe sleep practices, emotional support, referral follow-through, maternal confidence, and infant stimulation; and decreased stress and depression. Studies also report improved prenatal care utilization, healthier behav- iors, and lower odds of neonatal intensive care unit admission. Over the past two years, stakeholders have trained more than 250 CHWs and developed or adapted several upskilling certifications in specialty areas, including perinatal support. These efforts support the expansion of CHWs to lead prenatal and postpartumparenting classes, conduct peri- natal home visits, screen for perinatal warn- ing signs, and connect families to resources that address social determinants of health, services covered throughMedicaid with the new legislation. Perinatal Mental Health. About a quarter of all women experience mental health con- cerns during the perinatal period, making mental health concerns the most prevalent maternal health condition. Acknowledg- ing the significant impact of mental health on maternal and infant well-being, Arkan- sas has begun an initiative to increase the number of perinatal professionals (CHWs, doulas, nurses, lactation consultants, social workers, therapists, physicians) who hold the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), which is an internationally rec- ognized credential designed to advance the knowledge and skills of healthcare profes- sionals in addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. This certification offers training in the identification, assessment, and management “ The Arkansas Maternal Health Taskforce, which includes more than 150 stakeholders across the state, has rapidly implemented several initiatives, including legislation, training programs, healthcare access initiatives, and research. ”