According to the American Hospital Association, there are 6093 hospitals across the nation, with 5112 of them being community hospitals. Recently, the U.S. News & World Report rated the 2025 Best Hospital for Maternity Care, which included 817 hospitals. 139 of the 414 hospitals on the Best of List are Baby-Friendly designated.
“With a record-breaking number of hospitals evaluated, U.S. News’ 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings represent the most comprehensive resource yet for expectant parents,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “These high-performing hospitals showcase exceptional care for expectant parents, demonstrating significantly lower C-section rates and severe unexpected newborn complications compared to hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.”
Hospitals Rated “Best” for Maternity Care by U.S. News
- They are 47% more likely to be designated as “Baby-Friendly” by Baby Friendly USA, indicating a hospital has taken important steps to support breastfeeding.
- Have C-section rates 22% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have severe unexpected newborn complication rates 44% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have episiotomy rates 33% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have breast milk feeding rates 12% higher compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- They are 13% more likely to report race/ethnicity data for both C-section and severe unexpected newborn complications compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- The Top 10 metropolitan areas with the greatest number of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care are: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Riverside-San Bernardino, San Francisco, and Seattle, according to the U.S. News Report.
10 Most Birthing-Friendly States
A new study has revealed that Alaska is the most birthing-friendly state with the highest concentration of hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44 years.
Quick Highlights
- There are 5112 community hospitals across America
- Alaska is the best birthing-friendly state with 7.1 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44.
- Montana and Maine rank second and third, providing 7.1 and 6.8 hospitals per 100,000 females between 15 and 44 years of age, respectively.
- Maryland is the least, with 1.3 birthing-friendly hospitals and medical centers per 100,000 females aged 15-44.
Methodology
The research by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group analyzed the birthing-friendly hospital data for each state from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The study compared the number of birthing-friendly hospitals to the corresponding states’ population of females aged 15-44 years to identify the top 10 states with the highest concentration.
Top State Highlights
Alaska leads the nation as the most birthing-friendly state, with 7.6 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44, which is nearly 81% above the national average of 4.2 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44. With a population of 145,088 females in this age group, the Last Frontier maintains 11 birthing-friendly hospitals, including Alaska Native Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital.
Montana stands second with 7.1 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44, surpassing the national average by 69%. The Land of Shining Mountains provides 15 birthing-friendly hospitals serving its population of 210,973 females in the same age group. Two popular birthing-friendly medical centers in this state are Barrett Hospital & Healthcare and Benefis Hospitals Inc.
Maine ranks third for birthing-friendly healthcare, offering 6.8 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44, above the national average by approximately 62%. The Pine Tree State’s 249,713 females in this demographic are served by 17 birth-friendly medical facilities, like Cary Medical Center and Central Maine Medical Center.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Birth Injury Lawyers Group commented,
“The study shows that states like Alaska, Montana, and Maine are some of the top birthing-friendly states across the U.S.
“Birthing-friendly hospitals in these states provide significant advantages for women during the childbirth experience. These specialized facilities prioritize evidence-based practices that directly support mothers’ needs and preferences during labor and delivery.
“State leaders should focus on strengthening the maternal healthcare system by investing in building more birthing-friendly medical facilities. Furthermore, such initiatives can enable low-income families to access safe and quality healthcare.”
Vermont claims the fourth spot with 6.8 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44, which is approximately 63% above the national average of 4.2. The Green Mountain State’s 118,224 females (aged 15-44) benefit from access to eight birth-friendly healthcare facilities, two of which are Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Central Vermont Medical Center.
Ranking fifth, South Dakota features 6.4 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44, surpassing the national average by 52%. Mount Rushmore State’s 11 birthing-friendly facilities support its population of 172,395 females. Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center and Avera Queen of Peace are two significant birthing-friendly hospitals in this region.
North Dakota (6th) with 6.3 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44, followed by Wyoming (7th) with 6.2 per 100,000 females aged 15-44, Nebraska (8th) with 6.2 per 100,000 females aged 15-44, Iowa (9th) with 6.0 per 100,000 females aged 15-44, and Mississippi (10th) with 6.0 hospitals per 100,000 females aged 15-44.
Tables for Extended Results
Importance of Birthing-Friendly Hospitals
Birthing-friendly hospitals are crucial for promoting healthier outcomes for both mothers and babies, especially through initiatives like the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). These hospitals implement evidence-based practices that prioritize breastfeeding, early skin-to-skin contact, and other measures to support maternal well-being and infant development.
Key Benefits of Birthing-Friendly Hospitals
- Improved Breastfeeding Rates: Birthing-friendly hospitals actively encourage and support breastfeeding, leading to higher breastfeeding rates and exclusive breastfeeding duration, which is beneficial for both maternal and infant health.
- Reduced Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: By implementing evidence-based practices and quality improvement programs, birthing-friendly hospitals can help reduce maternal complications and mortality.
- Enhanced Infant Health Outcomes: Breastfeeding and early skin-to-skin contact in birthing-friendly hospitals have been linked to improved infant health, including reduced risk of infections and allergies.
- Improved Mother-Baby Bonding: The emphasis on early skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in in birthing-friendly hospitals fosters a strong mother-baby bond, which is crucial for infant development and well-being.
- Birthing-friendly hospitals often provide a more supportive and positive birthing environment, leading to a more positive experience for mothers.
- Reduced Cesarean Rates: Some birthing-friendly initiatives focus on reducing unnecessary interventions, including cesarean sections, while supporting vaginal birth for low-risk pregnancies.
How to Become a Birthing-Friendly Hospital
- Adopting the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) standards: This involves implementing specific practices that promote breastfeeding, early skin-to-skin contact, and other mother-baby bonding measures.
- Participating in quality improvement programs: Many birthing-friendly initiatives involve hospitals participating in state or national programs that focus on improving maternal and newborn care.
- Implementing recommended interventions: Hospitals can implement evidence-based interventions, such as those related to pain management during labor and delivery, to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
This article was written by TJ Webber at the WHN News Desk, which was created with some of the information supplied by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group based in Phoenix, Arizona, serving 39 states.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
