It's natural to want the best for your children, even before they're born. Parents everywhere can all agree on at least one thing: that they want their kids to receive quality care, education, and everything in between. Obviously, choosing the right OB-GYN is a large part of that, but so is choosing the right hospital to give birth in. So, where are the best maternity wards in the United States? The answers might surprise you. Well, some of them, anyway.
Of course, not every mom has a choice when it comes to where they give birth. Labor can happen suddenly, and just getting to any hospital is a task in and of itself. But, if you're lucky, and have the capacity to get to the hospital of your choice, you're probably wondering what your best options are.
While many might expect the best maternity wards to be in larger cities, there are actually a few hospital birthing centers located all across America that have received rave reviews. Technology takes center stage in the rating of maternity wards, although costs, food options, and other perks are also an important aspect in choosing your birth center.
Here are the best maternity wards in the United States, according to reviews and reports from real women (and Gwyneth Paltrow).
New York City Is Home To A Crowd Favorite
Unsurprisingly, New York City's Mount Sinai hospital hospital on Fifth Avenue has a wonderful maternity ward, where celebrity patients abound (including Paltrow). But if that's not enough to convince you of the hospital's greatness, take a look at this woman's Yelp review:
I recently gave birth at Mount Sinai and cannot praise the hospital enough for the most fantastic care we received. From the moment we arrived at 3am through to the time we were discharged as a family a couple of days later we were made to feel calm and had total trust in all we met.
The Midwest Has Some Of The Best, Too
Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Abbott Northwestern Hospital is home to a new Mother-Baby center that has new families praising the inclusive experience. Here is one commendable review:
Love, Love Love this hospital! It's the only hospital in the Twin Cities I would deliver at. The nurses are excellent. My doctor is fantastic. I might even consider having a 4th child just so I can deliver at the new mother-baby hospital opening this next year!
Minnesota also hosts U.S. News and World Report's highest ranked hospital, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic is ranked first for gynecology across the United States, as well as in eight other categories. Clearly, Minnesota is doing something right.
The South Has A Lot Going For It, As Well
The St. David's Women's Center in Austin, Texas, also boasts some great reviews, and state-of-the-art technology. One woman's review might actually have you packing your bags:
I delivered my child in the Women's' Center at St. David's in February. The delivery staff (and I was in labor and delivery for about 40 hours so I met a lot of them) was by and large really good. The nurses were especially caring and helpful, and I liked the doctors I met.
This Hospital On The West Coast Might Just Take The Cake
The BirthPlace Santa Monica at UCLA Health has gotten some seriously rave reviews. The hospital has been compared to a hotel as the result of how it treats its patients, and the nurses and staff are reportedly welcoming and helpful. This family's review will have you in tears:
My wife and I had our son at UCLA's Birth Place in Santa Monica and I think it's safe to say that we owe them an unpayable debt of gratitude.
My wife checked in with some pains about a week before her due date and they detected a very severe case of preeclampsia that put both her and our unborn baby at severe risk, which resulted in her having to have a rather complicated emergency c-section.
I'm lost for words trying to describe the professionalism, celerity, care and kindness of every person involved. They took care of us, they explained everything and braved an onslaught of questions from us, they wasted no time and our baby boy is now a happy and healthy 18 month old thanks to them.
I just can't imagine a clinic better than this one to give birth. This is as good as it gets and the human quality in that building is off the charts.
So, while it might not be possible for you to give birth at one of these centers, it's still good to know where they are, just in case.
