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Governor Abbott Highlights Need for Prenatal Care in El Paso

KVIA•Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 1:28 PM•Nicole Ardila

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On January 23, Governor Greg Abbott declared a maternal health awareness day, emphasizing the importance of prenatal care for expecting mothers. The University Medical Center (UMC) of El Paso reports that 30% of their patients do not receive prenatal care, which can lead to serious health issues such as anemia and hypertension. UMC's Gloria Delgado stresses the need for routine checkups to monitor potential infections and postpartum conditions like depression. Additionally, UMC offers free prenatal care classes and lactation consultations to support new mothers. The decline in childbirth rates may be linked to societal changes and a lack of support for expecting moms.

Key Details: • January 23 is recognized as maternal health awareness day. • 30% of UMC patients lack prenatal care, increasing health risks. • Routine checkups are crucial for monitoring infections and postpartum conditions. • UMC provides free prenatal care classes and lactation consultations. • Pregnancies should ideally be spaced at least 1-2 years apart for safety.

umc community maternal-health prenatal-care postpartum

People & Organizations

University Medical Center of El PasoUniversity Medical CenterGreg AbbottGloria Delgado

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