Medical leaders break ground on women’s health pavilion in Prince George’s

A medical hub is on the way in Prince George’s County dedicated to ensuring expectant mothers have an option closer to home.

Eight in 10 women in Prince George’s County leave the county to deliver their babies due to limited care options, according to Luminis Health.

That was the reality for Mautez Bethel.

“I’m not even going to lie, the anxiety was insane,” she said. “I was constantly worried like what would happen if I went into labor, how long would it take.”

Bethel had her little bundle of joy back in 2018. At the time, she made the trip from her Fort Washington home up to Silver Spring to deliver her baby.

“Birthing classes and first-time mom classes or first time mom or dad classes, and all of these different things, I experienced that through Holy Cross, I didn’t experience that through Prince George’s County,” she said. “Are there things that are shifting and more resources available now, I don’t doubt that.”

The goal with the new women’s health pavilion is to provide an accessible resource for mothers.

“We have opportunities to really improve lives, save lives and bring happy babies into the world,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.

Maternal mortality rates for black women in Prince George’s County is 50% higher than the national average, according to Luminis Health.

Richmond says these services will make for a better pre and post-delivery experience.