Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital has been recognized as one of the nation’s best maternity hospitals, according to the inaugural list of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity.

“We’re honored to join some of the best hospitals in the nation for maternity care and the
recognition speaks volumes about the outstanding care our OB/GYNs, nurses and our
entire team provides to the families we serve,” said Andrea Leslie, president of Spectrum
Health Big Rapids, Reed City, United and Kelsey Hospitals.

Big Rapids Hospital is one of 12 hospitals in Michigan that U.S. News recognized for high performance in maternity care. Out of the 2,700 hospitals across the United States that
offer maternity services, 237 were identified as “high-performing.”

The Best Hospitals for Maternity evaluation looks at hospital data relating to uncomplicated pregnancies at five different factors:

? Scheduled early deliveries
? C-section rates in low-risk women
? Newborn complications
? Rate of exclusive breast milk feeding
? Option for vaginal births after cesarean.

Participating hospital profiles also include a variety of relevant information on services and amenities, like private rooms, valet parking and availability of child birthing classes.

Three of Michigan's Rural Hospitals were recognized as High Performing in Maternity Care, all of them Spectrum Health hospitals: Spectrum Health Big Rapids, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial and Spectrum Health's Pennock Hospital in Hastings. Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett, as well as Zeeland Community Hospital were also recognized for high performance in maternity care.