Access to obstetric care.

Initially, this article examines the relationship between access to components of obstetric care and birth outcomes. It goes on to describe the significant decline in physician participation in obstetrics and its possible relationship to increasing rates of late or no prenatal care in the United States. The limitations of obstetric capacity and future access to providers of obstetric care in the United States versus Canada are explored. The article concludes with a discussion of strategies for improving access to obstetric care.