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IBX Insights

Where to Get Care When You’re Pregnant

By May 6, 2016August 17th, 2021Community
A young girl listens to her pregnant mom's belly

Finding out that you’re pregnant can be one of the most exciting moments of your life… before it sends you into a decision-making tailspin. When should you go public? Gender-neutral nursery color scheme or princess pink? Should you even find out the gender? And what the heck makes a crib mattress “organic” anyway?

However, there’s one decision that you have to put first: Where to get maternity care and deliver your baby.

Hospitals Hand-chosen for Maternity Expertise and Efficiency

Here in the Philadelphia region, we’re lucky to have a large number of options for pregnancy care, from OB/GYNs to natural birthing centers. But how do you choose?

Here’s a good place to start: The Blue Distinction® Specialty Care Program — which identifies health care facilities that deliver exceptional specialty care, safely, effectively, and cost-efficiently — has identified 21 hospitals in our area as Blue Distinction® Centers (BDC) or Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care!

Why the BDC and BDC+ Designations Matter

In the U.S., childbirth is the most common reason for hospitalization, and cesarean delivery is the most common operating room procedure, but maternity care practices differ among hospitals. Some of these differences can hurt mothers and babies. BDC and BDC+ hospitals are proven to provide high-quality AND cost-efficient care to patients.

Here’s how the BDC and BDC+ centers were evaluated for exceptional maternity care:

  • Percentage of newborns that fall into the category of early elective delivery (induced or cesarean section deliveries between 37 and 39 completed weeks of gestation, when not medically necessary)
  • Programs that promote successful breastfeeding
  • Overall patient satisfaction, including a willingness to recommend the hospital to others

BDC and BDC+ for Maternity Care Near Philadelphia

Blue Distinction® Centers
(Recognized for expertise)

  • Albert Einstein Medical Center
  • Crozer-Chester Medical Center
  • Delaware County Memorial Hospital
  • Hahnemann University Hospital
  • Holy Redeemer Hospital
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Jennersville Regional Hospital
  • Lankenau Medical Center
  • Pennsylvania Hospital
  • Riddle Hospital
  • Temple University Hospital
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Blue Distinction® Centers +
(Recognized for expertise and cost-efficiency)

  • Abington Memorial Hospital
  • Chester County Hospital
  • Doylestown Hospital
  • Einstein Medical Center Montgomery
  • Grand View Hospital
  • Bryn Mawr Hospital
  • Paoli Hospital
  • Phoenixville Hospital
  • St. Mary Medical Center

We know that you and your baby will be in good hands at any of these facilities. As for picking out a name, well, we can’t help you there.

See If Your Maternity Care is Covered at a Blue Distinction Center:

  1. Log in to ibxpress.com.
  2. In the Find a Doctor or Hospital section, type “maternal care” and your zip code and click SEARCH. This will automatically generate a list of covered providers.
  3. In the menu at left, click Blue Distinction Center or Blue Distinction Center+ under DESIGNATIONS. This will show you only BDSC-designated providers. Click on the hospital, and then the PLANS ACCEPTED tab to see if your plan is included.

The Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program recognizes hospitals for several other types of care, from bariatric surgery to transplants. Learn more.

 

Rebecca Finkel

I’ve been vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic, paleo, gluten free, dairy-free, low-carb, and kosher, yet I fall again and again to the lure of the Reuben. As I get older, I’m learning to take a more omnivorous approach to health, but I still love writing about new trends in diet, fitness, and wellbeing.