LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Giving birth can be one of the most magical and special times in someone's life. But in some U.S. states, expecting mothers are more likely to encounter high childbirth costs, a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, and increased risks during delivery.
To uncover the worst -- and best -- states to have a baby, Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states across five key metrics, including infant and maternal mortality rates by state. And Kentucky is one of the worst.
Forbes Adviser ranked Kentucky the seventh-worst U.S. state to have a baby.
The Commonwealth's low ranking is largely due to high maternal mortality rates. The average number of deaths among pregnant women in Kentucky is the sixth-highest in the country.
According to the numbers, an average of 38.4 pregnant women die during or with 42 days after childbirth for every 100,000 births in Kentucky.
Kentucky was found to have the 34th-lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists, was ranked 17th in the country for most infant deaths, 22nd in cost of childbirth with health insurance, and 30th for cost of childbirth without insurance.
Arkansas was named the worst in the U.S. to have a baby by Forbes Advisor. Mothers in Arkansas are more likely to die during childbirth than any other state in the country with 43.5 deaths per 100,000 births.
Arkansas also has the second highest infant mortality rate and the fifth lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists.
Vermont was ranked the best state to have a baby with the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates in the nation.
For the Forbes Advisor report, click here.
