Lanning

When Lanning learned she would be giving birth to twins, she was told that she could either schedule a cesarean section at her nearest hospital, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away, or travel to a better-equipped hospital 135 kilometers (85 miles) away. She and her husband, John, chose to make the long drive and avoid the C-section.

Former horse trainer assistant Kayla Lanning had to drive 85 miles (136 km) to deliver twins last year. They are now being treated by a specialist at yet another hospital, 76 miles (122 km) away.

As for whether couples may be dissuaded from settling in smaller towns because of these longer commutes, Lanning said it didn’t factor into her decision. “We are so grounded here. John grew up here, and everything we know and do is here. So yeah, that doesn’t affect that,” she said.