The Best Maternity Care on the Main Line and Surrounding Areas
Where you decide to welcome your newborn into the world is one of the first of many important decisions you’ll make as parents. Here’s a guide to help you make the choice that’s best for you and your new family.
The suburbs of Philadelphia offer an impressive number of maternity-care options for expecting parents on the Main Line. Situated throughout the Main Line and Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties, there are award-winning suburban hospitals with impeccable reputations for providing the highest level of maternity care.
It’s not difficult to find the best medical care for your newborn in the Main Line. Greater Philly families have diverse options for maternal healthcare, including hospitals, birth centers, and home births with qualified midwives.
What should a pregnant person consider when choosing maternity care?
1. Verify insurance coverage: Insurance coverage may vary among your birth location and care providers.
2. Check neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) facilities: How does a hospital or birth center manage premature births? The level of NICU care varies among suburban hospital facilities, ranging from basic newborn care to highly specialized units. Birth centers may provide hospital transfer plans.
3. Determine birth preferences: Hospitals typically provide the full range of medical interventions, while birth centers focus on natural birthing practices. Private rooms, shared rooms, or water births, see how a facility matches your birthing plan.
4. Review visitor policies: Are family members allowed during or after the birth? Is there a limit on how many people are allowed in the room during the birthing process?
5. Consider the logistics: Is the parking situation complicated? What door does a mother in labor enter? Figure out how the maternal care center handles the birthing mother right from the start.
What Are Hospital Quality Indicators?
Hospital quality indicators are standardized ways to access the adequacy of a particular healthcare institution. They help hospital and other healthcare leaders improve quality of life, efficiency, procedures, and other factors based on the results.
These evidence-based quality measures include:
- Baby-Friendly Designation (🌟): Recognizes exceptional support for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding
- U.S. News High Performing (⭐): Top-tier rating for uncomplicated pregnancy care, based on factors such as breastmilk feeding rates and newborn complication rates
Montgomery County Maternity Care Options
(Jump to Chester County and Delaware County Maternity Care Options)
Holy Redeemer Hospital
1648 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook | 800-818-4747
Holy Redeemer Hospital is part of Redeemer Health, and has delivered babies throughout Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties for generations. The EASE app, available on Apple and Android, enables family members to stay updated on their loved one’s progress.
Key Features of Holy Redeemer Hospital include:
- Level II NICU staffed with neonatologists from CHOP
- Private rooms
- In-person and virtual maternity tours available
- Prenatal education classes
Jefferson Abington Hospital
1200 Old York Road, Abington | 215-481-2000
🌟 Baby-Friendly Designated (Re-Designated 2023-2028)
⭐ U.S. News High Performing in Maternity Care (2023-24)
Jefferson Abington Hospital is part of the prestigious Jefferson Health Network. Jefferson Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) has provided high-risk multidisciplinary pregnancy care for over 40 years. Located in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, this teaching hospital combines highly advanced clinical expertise with compassionate, family-centered care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum, supported by a collaborative team of specialists including OB/GYNs, certified nurse-midwives, and maternal-fetal medicine experts. Language assistance is provided to non-English-speaking patients.
Key Features of Jefferson Abington Hospital include:
- Level III NICU
- All private rooms
- Dedicated high-risk obstetrical unit
- Breastfeeding support services
Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital
559 West Germantown Pike, East Norriton | 484-622-1000
- ⭐ U.S. News High Performing in Maternity Care (2023-24)
Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital offers exceptional family-centered maternity care, combining clinical excellence with compassionate support throughout your pregnancy journey. The facility features all private patient rooms with guest areas including sleeper sofas or recliners, while their expert team—including OB/GYNs, certified nurse-midwives, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists—ensures personalized care for both routine and high-risk pregnancies.
Key Features of Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital include:
- Level II NICU
- Prenatal care groups
- Adolescent and teen pregnancy care
- LGBTQ+ pregnancy care
Lifecycle Wellness
918 County Line Road, Bryn Mawr | 610-525-6086
The midwives at the freestanding Lifecycle Wellness and Birth Center offer over 40 years of maternity care on the Main Line in their homelike, out-of-hospital facility. The Birth Center at Lifecycle is the first licensed birth center in Pennsylvania and one of the oldest, continually-operating birth centers in the United States.
Note: Lifecycle Wellness is for low-risk pregnancies only, but a hospital transfer plan is in place.
Key Features of Lifecycle Wellness include:
- Midwife-led care model
- Comprehensive women’s health services
- Childbirth and parenting education
- Lactation support services
- Waterbirth option
- Mental health services
Main Line Health Lankenau Medical Center
100 East Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood | 484-476-2000
As with the rest of the Main Line Health hospitals, Lankenau also has access to CHOP clinicians in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU). It, too, offers supportive classes for physical and emotional maternal health and the choice of an obstetrician or a certified nurse-midwife.
Key Features of Main Line Health Lankenau Medical Center include:
- Level III NICU
- Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospital 2023
- Fully-renovated maternity unit
- Dynamic care team
Chester County Maternity Care Options
(Jump to Delaware County and Montgomery County Maternity Care Options)
Chester County Hospital
701 E. Marshall Street, West Chester | 610-431-5000
- 🌟 Baby-Friendly Designated (Since 2019)
As part of the Penn Medicine network, Chester County Hospital possesses bilingual (Spanish) staff, such as medical assistance representatives and financial counselors. Interpretation counselors are also available. Patients may qualify for the “Obstetrics Budget Prenatal Payment Plan.”
Key Features of Chester County Hospital include:
- Level III NICU is operated as part of the CHOP Newborn Care program
- Private maternity suites
- Childbirth education classes
- Childbirth refresher class
Phoenixville Hospital
140 Nutt Road, Phoenixville | 833-348-6937
As part of Tower Health, Phoenixville Hospital has obstetricians (OB/GYNs) and certified nurse-midwives (CNNs). A variety of classes and support groups help prepare expectant and new parents. Classes range from infant preparation to breastfeeding and pumping to sibling or grandparent preparation.
Key Features of Tower Health Phoenixville Hospital include:
- Level II NICU staffed by a dedicated team
- Sleeping sofas for the non-birthing parent
- Breastfeeding support from international board-certified lactation consultants
- Large array of educational classes
Main Line Health Paoli Hospital
255 West Lancaster Ave., Paoli | 484-565-1000
Started in 1913, this hospital matches the offerings of the other three Main Line hospitals above. Anticipate the same multidisciplinary approach with the focus on the family. Yes, the childbirth classes help pregnant mothers and their support person better understand what to expect during the birthing process.
Key Features of Main Line Heath Paoli Hospital include:
- Level II NICU
- Newsweek Best Hospital for Maternity winner
- Award-winning Patient Care Pavilion
- Independence Blue Cross Distinction Center for Maternity
Delaware County Maternity Care Options
(Jump to Chester County and Montgomery County Maternity Care Options.)
Crozer-Chester Medical Center
1 Medical Center Blvd, Upland
Crozer-Chester Medical Center is a community hospital based in Delaware County and part of the Cozer Health System. Crozer offers maternal and child health education classes to help families prepare for the arrival of their infant and those early days with a baby.
Key Features of Crozer-Chester Medical Center include:
- Level III NICU
- Mix of private and semi-private rooms
- Perinatal testing
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists
Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital
130 South Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr | 484.337.3000
Expect a multidisciplinary team for knowledgeable maternity care on the Main Line, including an obstetrical care provider, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, maternity and neonatal nurses. Select one or two support people during labor and delivery (such as a partner, parent, or a doula). Classes are available for the pregnant mother and the support person.
Key Features of Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital include:
- Level III NICU
- Specially-staffed pediatric emergency department with CHOP
- CHOP clinicians provide 24/7 coverage of the pediatric emergency department, pediatric inpatient unit, and level III NICU
- Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) or an obstetrician (OB/GYN)
Main Line Health Riddle Hospital
1068 West Baltimore Pike, Media | 484-227-9400
With an emphasis on family-centered childbirth, a range of different disciplines work together to help ensure the best outcome for mother and baby. Classes focus on more than the physical aspect of labor and delivery — learn about the emotional side, too.
Key Features of Main Line Health Riddle Hospital include:
- Level II NICU
- Blue Distinction Centers + for maternity and spine surgery
- New maternity unit features expansive labor and delivery suites
- Emotional and physical aspects covered in classes
Explore More Maternity Care Options with our Sister Brands:
What Are Good Questions to Ask During a Main Line Maternity Care Tour?
- What are current C-section rates?
- What birth positions and pain management options are available?
- What is the visitor and the support person policy?
- How do room assignments work?
- What happens in case of complications during labor and delivery?
What Are the Different NICU Levels?
- Level I: Basic newborn care
- Level II: Special care nursery for moderately ill infants
- Level III: Complex neonatal care, including most critical cases
- Level IV: Highest level of care for the most complex cases
Additional Resources for the Main Line’s Expecting Parents
Don’t forget to browse the early parenthood classes in the Main Line, too. It’s a great combination of education and socialization — for you and for baby.
- Chester County Health Department
- Delaware County Health Department
- Montgomery County Health Department
- Maternity Care Coalition
Note: Statistics and rates should be verified with individual hospitals as they change over time. Remember that raw statistics don’t tell the whole story. Other factors, such as whether a Main Line hospital handles more high-risk pregnancy cases, can affect their intervention rates.
Lead photo by Bella Baby Photography.
NO COMMENTS