LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) – Covenant Children’s has been named a 2025 Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report. The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, birthing-friendly practices and reporting on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.
“We are incredibly honored to be named one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2025,” said Emily Stephens, Covenant Children’s director of women’s services. “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of care for mothers and their newborns. Our team works diligently to maintain exemplary standards. This award reaffirms our dedication to ensuring that every mother and baby receives the best possible care.”
Hospitals rated “Best” for Maternity Care by U.S. News:
- Are 47% more likely to be designated as “Baby-Friendly” by Baby Friendly USA, indicating a hospital has taken important steps to support breastfeeding.
- Have C-section rates 22% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have severe unexpected newborn complication rates 44% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have episiotomy rates 33% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Have breast milk feeding rates 12% higher compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
- Are 13% more likely to report race/ethnicity data for both C-section and severe unexpected newborn complications compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.
U.S. News & World Report is the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. It began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and submit detailed data to the publication for analysis.
For the 2025 edition, 817 hospitals, an all-time high, submitted maternity data for evaluation. Just half of the hospitals evaluated for the 2025 ratings edition have been named Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. These public ratings assist expectant parents, in consultation with their doctors, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care for uncomplicated births.
The 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings also recognize hospitals offering services to underserved communities. Introduced last year, the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation was awarded to 118 hospitals for the 2025 ratings. These essential hospitals serve communities that would be in danger of becoming maternity care deserts if they were to stop providing crucial maternity care services. Fourteen percent of all U.S. News-evaluated hospitals have been designated as Maternity Care Access Hospitals. Seventy-five hospitals have been recognized as both Maternity Care Access Hospitals and Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
Parents-to-be can research their local hospitals’ performance metrics as well as maternity-related programs, services and support at health.usnews.com to help them decide where to give birth.
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