UP Health System-Marquette has been recognized by the Economic Alliance of Michigan (EAM) with a 2024 Hospital Maternity Care Improvement Award.
The awards are part of the EAM’s Maternity Care Project and are given to hospitals that have demonstrated excellence and improvement in maternity care and delivery outcomes.
UP Health System – Marquette is one of three hospitals across the state to receive a Maternity Care Improvement Award, which is given to hospitals that demonstrate a decrease in cesareans, episiotomies and elective early deliveries over a two-year period. Awarded facilities must also fully meet the standard for unnecessary cesarean delivery rates, which is 23.6 percent or less of low-risk deliveries.
“While sometimes necessary, invasive surgery comes with risk. C-sections are no exception and can increase the possibility of complications for both mom and baby,” said Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician Breanna Pond, MD, who also serves as the medical director of UPHS – Marquette’s Family Birthing Center. “In most cases, a vaginal delivery is safest and easiest to recover from, so that’s what we aim for with our low-risk patients. In addition to regular visits with mom throughout pregnancy in which we evaluate progress, discuss options and provide education, we also encourage the natural birthing process with an empowering, supportive labor environment and a strong collaboration with our Family Birthing Center team to achieve good outcomes.”
The Family Birthing Center at UP Health System – Marquette is equipped 24/7 with a team of professionals to help families welcome their newborns as safely and smoothly as possible—even those that are high-risk. It also houses the Upper Peninsula’s only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants. The NICU is located directly adjacent to the Family Birthing Center, allowing families to stay together should their newborns need specialized or intensive care and support post-birth.
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