6 Connecticut Hospitals Among Best To Have A Baby

CONNECTICUT — For parents-to-be, bringing a little one into the world can be stressful. Knowing you will give birth at one of the best hospitals in Connecticut can make all the difference when it comes to easing a parent’s fears.

That's why U.S. News & World Report this week released its inaugural list of Best Hospitals For Maternity. The list recognizes 237 hospitals across the United States that are high-performing when it comes to maternity care.

Six Connecticut hospitals made the 2021 list:

• Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain
• William W. Backus Hospital, Norwich
• MidState Medical Center, Meriden
• Hartford Hospital
• St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport
• Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington

The accolades came even as Windham Community Memorial Hospital shutters its maternity unit amidst protests last month. The facility cited declining birth rates for the shift in focus.

To determine the Best Hospitals for Maternity, U.S. News evaluated 2019 data submitted by hospitals relating only to uncomplicated pregnancies. Data on high-risk pregnancies was not considered.

U.S. News looked at five different factors: scheduled early deliveries, C-section rates in low-risk women, newborn complications, rate of exclusive breast milk feeding, and option for vaginal births after a C-section.

U.S. News analyzed data from a total of 2,700 hospitals. Hospitals that performed well had fewer newborn complications, fewer early deliveries and fewer C-sections compared with other hospitals across the nation.

More on the methodology is available on U.S. News’ website.

The full list of 2021 Best Hospitals for Maternity is also available online.