As soon as expectant parents hear the happy words, “you’re pregnant!” they face a slew of choices. What’s the right diet? Which prenatal tests? Which birth center is best?

With so many things to consider, parents-to-be naturally seek out pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum services that inspire confidence while ensuring safety and an empowered birth experience.

Sutter hospitals and birthing centers strive to exceed expectant parents’ needs with award-winning pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum services. National recognition for these efforts includes several new honors.

“Every birth is unique, and outstanding support for mothers and babies should be universal,” says William Isenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Sutter’s chief medical and quality officer. “At Sutter, we’re committed to making every pregnancy and childbirth a safe, equitable and joyful experience. We’re proud that these new awards reflect our efforts.”

Each of these designations represents rigorous review by the certifying organization, including evidence-based reports, measures and comparisons on statewide and national levels.

U.S. News & World Report Best Maternity Hospitals

On December 5, U.S. News & World Report published its Best Hospitals for Maternity Care list, which names 13 Sutter campuses as High Performing and/or a Maternity Care Access Hospital:

• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), Van Ness Campus
• Sutter Coast Hospital
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter Delta Medical Center
• Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
• Sutter Lakeside Hospital
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos
• Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center Modesto
• Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
• Sutter Roseville Medical Center
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital

Hospitals earning the High Performing designation meet impressive care, safety and equity standards for uncomplicated pregnancies. Measures include:

• Low C-section rates. As of June 2023, the Sutter network C-section rate was 22%, improving on the U.S. Department of Health’s target of 23.6%.
• Low rate of newborn complications.
• Strong breastfeeding rates.
• Low episiotomy rates.
• Tracking and reporting of outcomes for different races and ethnicities.

CMS Designation for Maternal Health

In addition, last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Care Compare website launched its Birthing-Friendly Designation, Health and Human Services’ first-ever hospital quality classification that specifically focuses on maternal health.

Sixteen Sutter sites achieved this inaugural honor:

• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Alta Bates Campus
• Sutter Amador Hospital
• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center, Van Ness Campus
• Sutter Coast Hospital
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter Delta Medical Center
• Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
• Sutter Lakeside Hospital
• Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center, Santa Cruz
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos
• Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center Modesto
• Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
• Sutter Roseville Medical Center
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
• Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

The Birthing-Friendly seal identifies hospitals that actively participate in state or national programs and implement effective systems designed to improve perinatal care and maternal health.

Breastfeeding Champions

Finally, Sutter’s CPMC recently achieved the Baby-Friendly designation. CPMC joins five other Sutter hospitals that previously earned Baby-Friendly status:

• Sutter Amador Hospital
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center, Santa Cruz
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

“The Baby-Friendly designation means the hospital takes additional steps to promote and support successful breastfeeding,” explains Jodi Winemiller, certified nurse midwife at CPMC Mission Bernal Women’s Clinic. “The nurses, doctors and midwives all complete additional training centered around supporting families to start and maintain breastfeeding and to manage common difficulties. It means providing robust lactation education and support during prenatal visits, in the hospital and when you go home from the hospital.”

Taken together, these numerous accolades reflect Sutter’s dedication to enhance and improve the pregnancy and childbirth experience. “I’m so proud of Sutter’s commitment to providing the best care for new families,” Winemiller says.