Several hospitals are ending labor and delivery services for a variety of reasons, including financial challenges.
- Hazel Crest, Ill.-based Advocate South Suburban Hospital ended labor and delivery services Aug. 1. The hospital cited a decline in births as the reason for the change in obstetric services, with a 40 percent decrease since 2015.
- McLaren St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee, Ohio, is ending labor and delivery services between Aug. 31 and Sept. 30.
- Stafford Springs, Conn.-based Johnson Memorial Hospital is planning to close its labor and delivery, intensive care and medical-surgical units. The public notice to initiate the certificate-of-need application process to discontinue the services was filed July 13.
- Hicksville, Ohio-based Community Memorial Hospital will close its obstetrics department and end labor and delivery services in September. Community Memorial Hospital CEO Roy Davis attributed the closure to the hospital's "unsustainable financial position."
- Huntington, W.Va.-based St. Mary's Medical Center will cease obstetrics services on Nov. 18. The obstetrics unit will transition to a medical-surgical department with a focus on women's health.
- Rochester, N.H.-based Frisbie Memorial Hospital announced in July that it plans to end labor and delivery services.
- St. Mary's Health System closed its maternity and women's health service line at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, at the end of July. The hospital said declining birth rates prompted the closure.
- Gallup, N.M.-based Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital closed its labor and delivery unit on Aug. 3.
- Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade, Fla., announced plans in late June to close its baby-delivery unit. The hospital will keep its maternity department open with prenatal and midwifery services. It will also have an obstetrician-gynecologist on call for emergency deliveries.