Methodology

For the ratings, U.S. News evaluated hospitals providing maternity care on their quality in three categories:

• Outcomes, which refer to the results of care, including death, harm to patients, and other consequences
• Process, which refers to the way diagnoses, treatments, and practices to avoid harm are rendered, as well as whether steps to prevent infections and medical errors are built into hospital routines
• Structure, which refers to hospital resources connected to patient care

To create a composite score for each hospital, U.S. News looked at the following seven measures:

• Lower risk pregnancy C-section delivery rates
• Severe unexpected newborn complication rates
• Routine vaginal birth after C-section delivery rates
• Commitment to exclusive breast milk feeding
• Episiotomy rates
• Birthing-friendly practices
• Transparency on racial and ethnic disparities

New components to this year's methodology include additional ways for hospitals to show their commitment to breast milk feeding and the use of rates of severe unexpected newborn complications instead of overall unexpected complications. The weights of certain measures were also adjusted.

Overall, 817 hospitals submitted data and were eligible for recognition on the list — the highest number of submissions yet. Data collection took place over the course of two months beginning June 3, 2024.

"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, 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."

The best hospitals for maternity care

The states with the greatest number of high-performing hospitals were California (71), New Jersey (25), Texas (24), North Carolina (23), and Pennsylvania (22).

In addition to high-performing facilities, U.S. News also recognized 118 hospitals as "Maternity Care Access Hospitals," a designation that was added to the ratings last year. These hospitals provide care to expectant parents "who wouldn't otherwise have access to maternity care and serve communities that would otherwise be maternity care deserts," U.S. News wrote.

Overall, 75 hospitals have been recognized as both Maternity Care Access Hospitals and Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.