University of Michigan Health Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, part of Michigan Medicine, has been named among the best hospitals for maternity care by U.S. News and World Report.

The hospital earned a high performing designation in recognition of maternity care – the highest award a hospital can earn in the specialty by U.S. News – which is measured by factors such as newborn complication rates.  

“We feel honored that thousands of expectant parents choose us every year when they’re preparing for this lifechanging milestone in their family’s life,” said Luanne Thomas Ewald, M.H.A., FACHE, chief operating officer for U-M Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital.

“This recognition highlights our exceptional teams of maternal health physicians, nurses and staff who are devoted to providing the best possible experience and outcomes for pregnant individuals and their newborns.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 650 hospitals that provide high-quality labor and delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies for its 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care released today. Fewer than half of all hospitals that offer maternity care and participated in the survey received a high performing designation. 

To be recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity, hospitals had to excel on multiple quality measures that matter to expectant families, including Caesarean rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates, among other measures. 

“Maternity care is critical to the health and wellness of our communities,” said Dee Fenner, M.D., chair of the Michigan Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“We are grateful for our dedicated birth center teams who go above and beyond to optimize the childbirth experience for all our patients at U-M Health Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. Families who come here can expect high quality, compassionate and inclusive birthing options with a focus on safety and evidence-based care.” 

The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. 

“When expectant parents are considering their options for welcoming a baby to the world, the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care are designed to help them identify hospitals that excel in delivering babies for uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “A hospital that has earned a High Performing designation may be a good option for parents, in consultation with their medical provider, to consider.”