Early and Adequate Prenatal Care

From 2017-2021 in King County, 70.3% of babies were born to people who received early and adequate prenatal care. Early and adequate prenatal care is important to reduce the likelihood of low birthweight or other poor pregnancy outcomes and can improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby. It is defined as starting prenatal care within the first trimester and participating in at least 80% of the recommended number of prenatal care visits (based on when care was started). 

• Age: The likelihood of receiving early and adequate prenatal care increases with age. Babies born to people younger than 18 were least likely to receive early and adequate prenatal care, at 46.7%. Birthing people age 18-24 were also less likely than the County average to receive early and adequate prenatal care at 59.5%%.  

• Race and ethnicity: Babies born to Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (45.2%), Black (62.5%), Hispanic (67.6%), American Indian/Alaska Native (58.7%), and multiple race (66.5%) birthing people were less likely to receive early and adequate prenatal care compared to the King County average.  

• Income: There is an income gradient in receiving early and adequate prenatal care. When compared to the King County average, babies born to people in high poverty neighborhoods (66.3%) were less likely to receive early and adequate prenatal care whereas babies born to people in low poverty neighborhoods (72.4%) were more likely to receive early and adequate prenatal care. 

• Birthing person’s education: Babies born to people with a bachelor’s or higher educational degree (74.0-75.8%) had higher rates of receiving early and adequate prenatal care compared to the King County average. Babies born to people with a high school diploma/GED or less (60.1-64.1%) were less likely to have adequate and early prenatal care compared to the King County average.  

• Geography: Babies born to people in Seattle (75.1%) and in North King County (76.0%) were more likely to receive early and adequate prenatal care compared to the King County average. Babies born to people in East (67.8%) and South (67.7%) King County were less likely to receive adequate and early prenatal care than the King County average.