Maternal Health Matters: Our Commitment to Compassionate Care for Mothers and Babies in Ascension Illinois

Maternal health is the foundation of healthy families and strong communities. From prenatal care through childbirth and the postpartum period, mothers need access to timely, high-quality, and compassionate care to support both their well-being and that of their babies. Despite the evidence-backed importance of maternal care, available data paints a concerning picture, especially for marginalized populations, and highlights an urgent need to improve outcomes for mothers and babies across the United States.

Research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, yet persistent disparities across race, income and geography continue to put women at greater risk. At Ascension, we are committed to supporting mothers at every stage, through data-driven care, community partnerships and innovative programs that support healthier outcomes and heightened awareness about maternal health.

Maternal care at Ascension, by the numbers

Each year, 1 in 60 babies in the U.S. is born at an Ascension care site, with 42% of births supported by Medicaid. Even amid a national maternal health crisis, Ascension's maternal morbidity rates are over 20% lower for all patients, and 32% lower for Black/African American patients compared to the national average.

Our focus on quality maternal care has earned national recognition. Ascension Saint Alexius Women and Children's Hospital was named by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital in maternity care for the organization's 2026 ratings, and on Forbes' inaugural list of the nation's top hospitals for 2026. We are also a Baby-Friendly designated facility, which means every part of the experience is built to support connection, comfort and confidence. From midwives and OBs to NICU teams and high-risk care, our birthing center is ready for whatever the journey looks like. These designations and outcomes reflect a system-wide commitment to reducing maternal morbidity and ensuring more mothers receive outstanding prenatal and postnatal care.

Aligning clinical priorities to reduce complications

Reducing severe obstetric complications is a clinical priority for Ascension from FY25 to FY27, guiding our maternal health initiatives across the system. This focus reflects Ascension's commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care while improving outcomes for mothers and families. Through standardized care protocols, early identification and treatment of conditions such as anemia and hypertension, expanded provider training and strong community partnerships, Ascension is working to lower complication rates - particularly for women in the most vulnerable communities. This effort builds on more than a decade of sustained progress in advancing maternal safety across the health system.

Expanding access to high-quality maternal services

In Illinois, Ascension Saint Alexius recently expanded its NICU by 14 beds. This is a key step toward cementing the hospital's place as a center of excellence in OB care. This milestone reflects the exceptional work of the NICU team and enables the hospital to care for more infants needing specialized support.

Advancing clinical outcomes and driving impact for mothers and babies in Ascension Illinois

Ascension Saint Alexius Women and Children's Hospital participates in all Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) initiatives including being a Wave 1 hospital for the newest initiative focused on Perinatal Mental Health. The hospital has earned clinical excellence awards for all quality metrics with ILPQC.

Ascension Illinois remains committed across our clinical and community impact initiatives to advancing whole-person maternal care - addressing healthcare needs, social barriers and community support systems to help support safer pregnancies and healthier futures for mothers and babies.