Hailey Tran
When it comes to pregnancy, finding the right hospital with quality maternity care is essential. Newsweek's annual list of best maternity hospitals is a good place to start, with SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis and Prisma Health Patewood Hospital recognized for their excellence in maternity and neonatal care. For those seeking advanced maternity care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, ranked #1 in obstetrics and gynecology by U.S. News & World Report, offers world-class facilities and expertise. With options varying across states and countries, it's important to consider factors like safety, comfort, and access to specialized care when choosing the best hospital for pregnancy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Kaiser Permanente hospitals are located in West Los Angeles, Moanalua, and Hawaii. Mercy Hospital is located in Oklahoma City. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is located in Park Ridge, IL. |
| Ratings | Kaiser Permanente has received an A grade for patient safety. It has also been named the nation's best for customer service. Mercy Hospital has been listed for 2025 among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. |
| Staff | Doctors, midwives, nurses, specialists, lactation consultants, and other healthcare professionals. |
| Services | High-quality, safe and effective treatment, including prenatal appointments, breastfeeding support, and online classes. |
| Recognition | Kaiser Permanente has been recognized by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Mercy Hospital has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and NRC Health. |
| Data | Kaiser Permanente has 29 hospitals recognized for maternity care. Mercy Hospital delivers about 400 babies a month. |
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What You'll Learn
Patient satisfaction and experience
Newsweek, for example, recognizes hospitals that provide high-quality care for pregnant patients and their babies throughout the maternity journey, including the stressful weeks after childbirth. Their list of America's Best Maternity Hospitals is based on three pillars: an online survey of hospital managers and medical professionals, hospital quality metrics data from Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and public patient survey data. The survey asks participants to recommend and rate maternity hospitals in areas such as perinatal care, patient education, accommodation, and nurse and midwife staffing. To be eligible for analysis, hospitals must report their performance data, receive a minimum rating from CMS, and meet the predefined thresholds for each pillar. The final awarded hospitals are then grouped into two categories: 5 ribbons and 4 ribbons, with slightly different percentage thresholds for reputation, patient experience, and quality metrics scores.
U.S. News & World Report also evaluates hospitals for their maternity care, including their performance in childbirth using C-section rates, newborn severe complication rates, breast milk feeding rates, and whether the hospital meets "birthing-friendly" practices. They consider hospitals that provide high-quality labor and delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies. Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City, for instance, was recognized as the best hospital for maternity care in its metro area by U.S. News & World Report in 2025. This recognition was based on their high standards of compassionate and expert care, with a dedicated team of caregivers playing a pivotal role in what is a sacred moment for parents.
Kaiser Permanente, which has 29 hospitals recognized as America's Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek in 2025, emphasizes the importance of patient satisfaction. Their team of healthcare professionals customizes high-quality pregnancy care to meet the unique needs of each patient. This includes support from lactation consultants, online classes, and prenatal appointments that address individual concerns.
Overall, patient satisfaction and experience are vital aspects of maternity care, and hospitals that excel in these areas are recognized through various awards and accreditations. These evaluations help expectant parents make informed decisions about their pregnancy journey and ensure they receive the best possible care during this significant life event.
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Safety records
Safety is a key concern for expectant mothers and their families, and hospitals with good safety records are an important consideration when choosing a maternity hospital.
The Global Hospital Rating system is a voluntary evaluation process that hospitals can opt into, and the results can be a good indicator of safety performance. Hospitals are assessed against established quality criteria, and winners are contacted directly.
Newsweek also conducts a yearly survey, inviting hospital managers and medical professionals to rate maternity hospitals in areas such as perinatal care, operative obstetrics, patient education, and counselling. Their methodology includes three pillars: an online survey of medical professionals, hospital quality metrics data, and patient surveys. Hospitals are then awarded 4 or 5 ribbons, with scores based on reputation, patient experience, and quality metrics.
U.S. News & World Report also publishes a list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, which includes an evaluation of C-section rates, newborn severe complication rates, breast milk feeding rates, and whether a hospital meets new federal criteria for "birthing-friendly" practices. Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, for example, was named the best hospital for maternity care in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. It is the only local childbirth centre in the city and one of only three in the state.
Kaiser Permanente is another healthcare organization that has been recognized for its high-quality maternity care. Their team of doctors, midwives, nurses, and specialists provide comprehensive and respectful maternity care, with a focus on customizing their services to meet the unique needs of each patient.
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Maternity accreditations
When it comes to maternity accreditations, there are several key indicators of quality. These include a hospital's dedication to mothers and babies before, during, and after birth, as well as patient satisfaction, safety records, and any notable maternity accreditations.
Newsweek, for instance, awards hospitals that provide high-quality care for pregnant patients and their babies throughout the entire maternity journey, including the stressful weeks following childbirth. The magazine's 2025 list of America's Best Maternity Hospitals includes 29 Kaiser Permanente hospitals, which were recognised for their high-quality, compassionate care.
U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals for Maternity Care list also recognises hospitals with high-quality labour and delivery services. Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City, for example, was named the best hospital for maternity care in its metro area for 2025.
To be eligible for America's Best Maternity Hospitals list by Statista, hospitals must report their performance data and receive at least a 2-star rating from CMS. They must also meet minimum thresholds in three pillars:
- Online survey ratings from hospital managers and medical professionals with knowledge of maternity hospitals
- Hospital quality metrics data relevant to maternity care from CMS, TJC, and HRSA
- Publicly available data from patient surveys
Statista's ranking for America's Best Maternity Hospitals in 2024 was based on a nationwide online survey of healthcare professionals, hospital managers, and patient experience surveys.
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C-section rates
According to U.S. News, hospitals are evaluated on their C-section rates, newborn severe complication rates, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) rates, and other factors. Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, for example, was named the best hospital for maternity care in its metro area for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition is based on its high standards of care and excellent patient experience, with about 400 babies delivered each month.
Kaiser Permanente is another healthcare organization with 29 of its hospitals recognized for high-quality maternity care. Their team of doctors, midwives, nurses, and specialists provide personalized pregnancy care, including support for breastfeeding and lactation.
Newsweek also recognizes America's Best Maternity Hospitals based on an online survey of healthcare professionals and hospital managers, hospital quality metrics data, and patient surveys. Hospitals are evaluated on perinatal care, operative obstetrics, patient education, and overall patient experience.
While specific C-section rates are not always provided, these rankings and evaluations help expectant parents identify hospitals with high-quality maternity care, including safe and effective treatments, low complication rates, and positive patient experiences. It is important for individuals to research and choose a hospital that aligns with their preferences and birth plan, including their views on C-sections.
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Staffing and support
When it comes to maternity care, hospitals should offer safe and effective treatment, led by experienced OB/GYN and perinaltal physicians and specialists. The quality of maternity care is determined by a dedication to mothers and babies before, during, and after birth, as well as patient satisfaction, safety records, and noteworthy maternity accreditations.
The best hospitals for pregnancy are those that provide high-quality labour and delivery services, with low newborn severe complication rates, high breast milk feeding rates, and low episiotomy rates. They should also meet new federal criteria for "birthing-friendly" practices and track and report outcomes for patients of different races and ethnicities.
Adequate Staffing:
Hospitals should have a sufficient number of qualified healthcare professionals, including doctors, midwives, nurses, and specialists. This ensures that each patient receives individualised attention and care. Adequate staffing also reduces the risk of burnout among healthcare professionals, ensuring that they can provide the best possible care.
Experienced and Compassionate Caregivers:
The hospital's medical staff should be experienced in handling a wide range of pregnancy and childbirth scenarios, including both uncomplicated and complex cases. They should demonstrate expertise in their respective fields and continuously update their knowledge and skills to stay abreast of the latest advancements in maternity care. Additionally, compassion and empathy are essential qualities in caregivers. Recognising the emotional and physical challenges that pregnant women and new mothers face, the hospital staff should provide supportive and respectful care.
Continuity of Care:
Continuity of care is vital in maternity services. Pregnant women should have access to a consistent team of healthcare professionals throughout their pregnancy journey. This allows for the development of trusting relationships between the mother and her caregivers, ensuring that her individual needs and preferences are understood and addressed.
Support Services:
In addition to medical care, the best hospitals for pregnancy offer a range of support services to cater to the holistic needs of pregnant women and new mothers. These may include lactation consultants, mental health support, social services, and educational resources. For example, online classes and support groups can provide guidance and emotional support during the pregnancy and postpartum periods.
Patient-Centred Approach:
The staffing and support services should be centred around the needs and preferences of the patients. Hospitals should strive to involve women in decision-making, empower them to make informed choices about their care, and respect their cultural and personal values. This may include offering personalised birth plans, accommodating specific requests, and providing a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Hospitals like Kaiser Permanente, Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City, and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital have been recognised for their exceptional maternity care, with dedicated teams of healthcare professionals providing comprehensive support to pregnant women and their babies.
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Frequently asked questions
According to U.S. News & World Report, the best hospital for pregnancy in the United States is Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Some of the best hospitals for pregnancy in Philadelphia include the Pennsylvania Hospital, Rittenhouse Women's Wellness Center, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Some of the best maternity hospitals in the United States include SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, Prisma Health Patewood Hospital, and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Hospitals that are considered the best for pregnancy typically meet a minimum threshold in categories such as safety, comfort, maternal health, and neonatal outcomes.
Indicators of a good hospital for pregnancy include high-quality maternity care, advanced maternity care, and access to neonatologists.
