How to Choose a Hospital for Maternity and Labor & Delivery
Choosing where to give birth is one of the most personal healthcare decisions an expectant parent can make. The right hospital provides a safe environment for delivery while supporting your birth preferences and being prepared for any complications.
Key Factors to Consider
Safety and Medical Capabilities
- NICU level: If you have a high-risk pregnancy, ensure the hospital has an appropriate-level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Level III or IV for the highest risk)
- Anesthesia availability: Is an anesthesiologist available 24/7 for epidurals or emergency cesarean sections?
- OB/GYN and perinatologist staffing: Are obstetricians available around the clock?
- Blood bank and surgical capabilities: Available for emergency situations
- C-section rates: Hospitals with very high cesarean rates may perform more unnecessary surgeries, while very low rates might indicate limited capability
Birth Experience
- Labor and delivery rooms: Are rooms private? Are there birthing tubs or showers?
- Birth plan flexibility: Will the hospital accommodate your preferences for movement, positioning, and pain management?
- Rooming-in: Can the baby stay with you 24/7?
- Lactation support: Are lactation consultants available?
- Visitor policies: How many support people can be present during delivery?
- Midwifery services: Are certified nurse-midwives available if that aligns with your preferences?
Postpartum Care
- What is the typical length of stay for vaginal delivery vs. cesarean?
- What postpartum support is provided (breastfeeding, newborn care education)?
- Is there a postpartum depression screening program?
- What follow-up care is arranged for mother and baby?
Questions to Ask During a Hospital Tour
- How many deliveries does this hospital perform annually?
- What is the hospital's C-section rate?
- What pain management options are available?
- What happens if my baby needs specialized care?
- Can I tour the labor and delivery unit and postpartum rooms?
- What are the visiting hours and partner/support person policies?
Insurance and Practical Considerations
- Verify the hospital, your OB/GYN, and the anesthesia group are all in your insurance network
- Ask about estimated costs for vaginal delivery vs. cesarean
- Consider distance from home — you want to be able to reach the hospital comfortably when labor begins
- Pre-register at the hospital before your due date to streamline admission
Research hospital quality at Medicare Care Compare.
Data sourced from CMS. Visit Medicare Care Compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice from your OB/GYN or midwife.
Important
This article explains how hospital quality data works and is for general information only. It is not medical advice and must not be used to decide whether to seek, delay or refuse care — that is a decision for you and a clinician who knows your situation.
CMS quality measures describe care delivered during earlier reporting periods and are refreshed roughly quarterly. A hospital's staffing, services and performance can change well before the published numbers do.
hospiguide.org is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to CMS, Medicare, or any U.S. government agency, and publishes no ratings of its own.
Before acting on anything here, verify current details at Medicare.gov Care Compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048.
HospiGuide.org Editorial Team
Our editorial team explains U.S. hospital quality data using official CMS datasets and government publications. We are not medical professionals, we do not recommend hospitals, and we accept no payment for coverage. Every factual claim is checked against a CMS or federal source. Read our editorial policy.
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