Womens Health (Lond). 2026 Jan-Dec;22:17455057261447666. doi: 10.1177/17455057261447666. Epub 2026 Apr 29.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundPregnant and postpartum incarcerated women are at risk of adverse health outcomes due to pre-incarceration risks and exposures during incarceration.ObjectivesThis study characterized maternal healthcare and neonatal outcomes among incarcerated pregnant women in Georgia from August 2020 to March 2025.DesignWe utilized a sequential mixed methods approach using data from a birth cohort of children exposed prenatally to incarceration in Georgia.MethodsWe analyzed qualitative data on maternal care experiences from 41 mothers and quantitative data on neonatal outcomes from caregivers of 84 children. Qualitative results informed exploratory tests of group differences for neonatal outcomes (i.e.,mode of delivery, neonatal complications, low birthweight) and breastfeeding initiation between (1) those who gave birth in the community compared to during incarceration; (2) those who were incarcerated in jail as compared to prisons.ResultsParticipants described low-quality maternal healthcare, inhumane treatment, and lack of safety and comfort, and the use of practices like solitary confinement and shackling. Fisher’s exact tests were significant for differences in breastfeeding initiation between those who gave birth in the community compared to those who gave birth during incarceration (p = 0.002), but breastfeeding initiation did not differ between those who were incarcerated in jail as compared to prison. Mode of delivery, neonatal complications, and low birthweight did not significantly differ between those who gave birth in the community compared to those who gave birth during incarceration nor those who were incarcerated in jail as compared to in prisons.ConclusionsIncarcerated pregnant and postpartum women in Georgia report low-quality maternal healthcare. Policy leaders should establish evidence-based policies for maternal healthcare within prisons and jails and consider community-based alternatives to incarceration for pregnant women.
PMID:42056725 | DOI:10.1177/17455057261447666
