If Mercy Health and Cigna cannot come to an agreement, women who are or become pregnant will not receive any benefits through the hospital network if they have Cigna insurance.

Mercy Health hospitals in Boardman and Warren are the only hospitals in the Mahoning Valley that deliver babies. 

Carol  Holmes, a nurse practitioner at Associates in Women's Health of the Mahoning Valley, said if a deal is not made, soon-to-be mothers may have to consider traveling to Cleveland or Akron for care.

"The number one thing to do is really talk to your provider," Holmes said. "If Mercy [Health] is no longer taking their insurance, they are going to have to deliver at another hospital. The other option is they have to pay out of pocket." 

Holmes told 21 News that emergency rooms should be used as a last resort for birthing care. 

"[Emergency rooms] are not set up to take care of you if you're bleeding or if you think you've had a miscarriage," Holmes said.

According to a press release, if a patient has ongoing treatment at Mercy Health they suggest calling Cigna to request that they approve the treatment for continuity of care. 

If an agreement is not reached by March 31, Mercy Health will no longer be in network with Cigna for their commercial health care plans.

At this point it is unclear if Mercy Health is considering the long-term future of labor and delivery for those insured under Cigna.