Norton Women’s Care has been recognized as High Performing in Adult Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report, the highest award a hospital can earn in the U.S. News list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

Published: December 20, 2022 | Updated: February 16, 2023

Norton Women’s Care, with childbirth services at Norton Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, has been recognized as High Performing in Adult Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report, the highest award a hospital can earn in the U.S. News list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. This is the second year in a row U.S. News has published a list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, and the second award for Norton Women’s Care.

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality. Hospitals needed to score significantly higher than average on eight quality measures as well as have acceptable rates for cesarean section in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complications and episiotomies. The survey also looked at rates of exclusive breast milk feeding, early elective delivery and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), along with whether a hospital meets new federal criteria for “birthing-friendly” practices, and tracks and reports their outcomes for patients of different races and ethnicities.

Fewer than half of the 649 hospitals participating in this voluntary program were designated as high performing.

“Working with patients to provide a safe childbirth experience that meets all health needs is central to what we do at Norton Women’s Care,” said Mary L. Schubert, DNP, NEA-BC, system vice president, women’s services, Norton Healthcare. “We strive to look at the patient’s overall health, treat everyone with dignity, provide compassionate care and support health during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

“This second U.S. News & World Report High Performing rating affirms the efforts our teams have made to provide care that matches our high standards.”

“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.”

Caregivers at Norton Healthcare’s two Norton Women’s Care birthing locations deliver more than 8,000 babies a year. While many of those deliveries are uncomplicated, Norton Women’s Care also specializes in high-risk deliveries, with a specialty maternal-fetal medicine program and connection to specialists in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). A Level IV NICU at Norton Children’s Hospital offers the highest level of care to critically ill and premature infants. A second, Level III NICU is at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

Norton Healthcare is ranked as High Performing for eight other procedures and conditions: heart attack, heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hip and knee replacement.