Approximately 55,000 women are held in state and federal prisons on any given day in the United States, one-quarter of whom are pregnant or newly delivered. The health care of pregnant prisoners should reflect not only knowledge of the normative pregnancy experience, but also the special circumstances of pregnancy in prison. Yet little information is available regarding the health care needs of pregnant prisoners. The goal of this study was to add to existing information on the health care needs of pregnant prisoners. Interviews were conducted with 89 pregnant inmates during the third trimester of pregnancy. In addition, health records and birth certificates were reviewed. Study findings suggest several areas of difficulty for pregnant inmates: high-risk lifestyle behaviors, inadequate prenatal care and follow-up, increased general stress, poor psychological health, and inadequate social support. Data are presented to substantiate each of these areas. Health care implications and interventions specific to each area of difficulty are presented.
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