UP Health System – Marquette is proud to be recognized by the Economic Alliance of Michigan (EAM) with the 2023 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 nine hospitals across the state of Michigan to receive an award. 

The award is given to hospitals that demonstrate a decrease in C-sections, episiotomies and elective early deliveries over a two-year period. “They looked at our data over the last several years and determined that, over the last two years, we have made significant improvements in decreasing our primary C-section rate, decreasing our episiotomy rate, as well as decreasing the rate of elective deliveries done before 37 weeks,” said Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician Kathryn White, MD.

The overall goal of the EAM Maternity Care Project is to reduce the infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan. Only 26 percent of the birthing centers measured in Michigan performed within the Leapfrog Group standard for unnecessary C-sections, which is 23.6 percent or less for low-risk deliveries. Unnecessary C-sections can increase the risk of hemorrhage, infection, blood clots and transfusions for the mother and increase the risk of respiratory complications, neonatal intensive care stays and infection for newborns.

“A vaginal delivery, in most circumstances, is safest for mom and safest for baby,” said Dr. White. “It leads to a quicker and easier recovery. The risks of surgery to the patient include things like bleeding, damage to adjacent organs and the recovery is different for these patients.”

This award is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of the UP Health System – Marquette Labor and Delivery team—consisting of physicians, nurses, and care aids/unit clerks. 

“I’ve been a labor and delivery nurse here for nearly 17 years,” said Stephanie Gordon, RN, UP Health System – Marquette. “One of the reasons I think I continue to be excited and passionate about coming to work is because of our amazing group of nurses and physicians. We come together with each and every patient to develop the safest delivery plan for both mom and baby and give them the best, most personalized experience possible."

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.

"Our team is incredibly proud to have received this award, but our work doesn't stop here. We look forward to continued improvement in the services we provide to our community and taking the best possible care of mothers and our tiniest patients, " Gordon said. 

Learn more about women's health services offered at UP Health System and get connected with care by visiting our website. Expecting a new baby soon? Take a virtual tour of the Family Birthing Center at UP Health System Marquette by watching the video below.