LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A new study reveals that Oklahoma has the fifth-highest midwife shortage in the U.S.

The birth data from the NCHS and Midwife Data provided by the American Midwifery Certification Board were analyzed and showed that Oklahoma hosted a monthly average ratio of 52.16 births per midwife.

Midwives are healthcare providers that help with most things pertaining to childbirth. These healthcare workers help to provide women with postpartum, newborn care, childbirth and more.

The midwives profession in Oklahoma is running low with there being only 74 certified midwives documented in the state. With an average of almost 4,000 births a month, the number of midwives available will be stretched very thin among parents, with some just not being able to receive this service. This is a problem especially for newer parents looking for help in monitoring their child's health and help preventing any complications.

A spokesperson from the group that did the study stated that Oklahoma should provide more incentives to help attract people to the profession.