(SALINAS, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024) — Natividad has earned the highest distinction in maternity care from U.S. News & World Report. The hospital is recognized as High Performing in Maternity Care 2025 (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) in the publication’s annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study. 

Natividad is also featured in the U.S. News & World Report’s article “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care Adds New Equity Measure.” 

“We are honored to be recognized for our excellent care, outcomes and equity by U.S. News & World Report,” said Natividad Chief OB-GYN Surgeon Dr. Peter Chandler. “Natividad’s obstetricians spend time in clinics across the county so our mothers in remote communities get to know us and have access to the best prenatal care.” 

Hospitals rated as High Performing, like Natividad, demonstrated excellence in several key areas: lower rates of serious newborn complications, fewer C-sections, higher vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates, birthing-friendly practices, transparency in racial and ethnic disparity reporting, and lower episiotomy rates. The evaluation process included a thorough review of objective outcomes and complication data. Natividad was among a select group of hospitals to earn this recognition, and results are published publicly as a scorecard on Natividad’s usnews.com page.

“Natividad’s mission is to continually monitor and improve the health of the people, including the vulnerable, in Monterey County through coordinated, affordable, highquality health care,” said Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris. “It is at the core of who we are, and nothing is more vital to us than continuing our path to excellence in providing equitable, compassionate, world-class health care.” 

Natividad’s maternal health highlights: 

• In 2023, Natividad delivered 2,300 babies, representing nearly half of the 4,813 babies born in Monterey County.
• Less than 23.9% of first-time, low-risk pregnancies were delivered via C-section at Natividad, making the hospital excellent at minimizing avoidable C-sections.
• Natividad was the first hospital in Monterey County to offer VBACs in 2009. VBAC support is 23.6% higher than the state average.
• Natividad’s episiotomy rate is less than 5%. The once-common procedure should now rarely be performed.
• Recognized as Birthing-Friendly by U.S. News & World Report, Natividad is also designated as a Baby-Friendly hospital. Contact: Hillary Fish fishh@natividad.com (831) 783-2693 2
• Natividad tracks its racial and ethnic disparities for C-sections and severe unexpected newborn complications.
• Natividad’s representation of non-white births was higher than the community, at 96%, compared to 94% of non-white births in Salinas and 86% of non-white births in Monterey County. 

Natividad is recognized by many organizations for its high-quality maternity care and outcomes:
• Blue Distinction® Center for Maternity Care designation by Blue Cross Blue Shield signifies that Natividad delivers high-quality maternity care safely and effectively, based on objective quality measures that represent evidence-based practices of high-quality maternity care.
• Smart Care California’s C-section Honor Roll for Maternity Care for improving Csection rates, applying critical safety measures, and ensuring that mothers get timely and high-quality prenatal and postpartum care.
• International recognition as a Baby-Friendly® birth facility for offering breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies successfully.
• BETA Healthcare Group Award of Excellence for High Quality Obstetrical Practices achieving 100% Compliance. The goal of the OB initiative is to promote best practices in care delivery to moms and babies in BETA’s “Quest for Zero” preventable birth injuries.
• Natividad earned an “A” safety grade for fall 2024 from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog organization.

 U.S. News & World Report is a registered trademark of U.S. News & World Report, L.P.

About Natividad
Natividad is a hospital and trauma center that provides compassionate, high-quality health care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care for adults and children. Founded in 1886, the 172-bed medical center has more than 11,000 admissions and 60,000 emergency visits annually. Home to the area's only Level II Trauma Center, the hospital's specialized personnel, equipment and services provide a vital local community service that saves lives and keeps patients close to home. Natividad's BabyFriendly® facility delivers about 2,300 babies every year and is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. It also operates an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, giving the tiniest and most fragile babies the best chance for a healthy start. Through its UCSFaffiliated Natividad Family Medicine Residency, Natividad is the only teaching hospital in Monterey County. Please call (831) 755-4111 for more information or visit www.natividad.com.