One of the objectives in Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is the decreasing of maternal mortality rate (MMR). Currently, by the end of MDGs in 2015, MMR in Indonesia is recorded at 359, out of the target that should be decreased to 102. To overcome this problem, in South Sulawesi has established maternity waiting home (shelter) but its utilization is not yet optimal. This is a preliminary research to find constraints faced in the utilization of shelter at East Sulawesi. The qualitative study will be designed as a need assessment tool. The methods of data collecting use were FGD and in-depth interview. Research respondents were consisting of provincial policy maker, head of the health department district and midwives from Bulukumba, Bantaeng, and Makasar. The results of the study found that the shelter is a residential house with facilities of beds and household appliances. Rental fees for housing and meals were provided free of charge. All fees are covered by Government insurance for pregnant women using Jampersal scheme. A pregnant woman did not have any activities and without any companion from health personnel when living in a shelter. Besides, pregnant women felt more comfortable living near their family. As a conclusion of the research, there are some limitations in the utilization of shelter such as human resources, cost, the psychological condition, education, and Facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to find the effective solution to optimize the use of the shelter.