WakeMed Named Among the Nation’s Best Maternity Hospitals

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 9, 2025) – WakeMed has been named among the best hospitals for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report, a leader in quality rankings. WakeMed Cary Hospital, WakeMed North Hospital, and WakeMed Raleigh Campus all earned High Performing designations—the highest ranking a hospital can earn—for U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). 

WakeMed earned High Performing designations in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complications and c-section rates as well as quality of care for outcomes, process, and structure. Data from WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed North Hospital, which operates under the Raleigh Campus license, were combined for this performance ranking. 

WakeMed delivers more babies than any other health system in Wake County. With nearly 10,000 births reported each year, a new kindergarten class is born within the WakeMed system every day. 

The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their doctors, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. U.S. News evaluated over 900 eligible hospitals for this year’s list. Of those 901, U.S. News recognized 495 top hospitals as High Performing for Maternity care. 

“More than anything, this award recognizes the WakeMed team’s deep commitment to delivering the best possible experience for every birthing person, baby, and family. We are proud of their work and proud to keep serving the patients and families of Wake County and beyond,” said Dr. Seth Brody, WakeMed Executive Vice President & Chief Physician Executive and practicing OB-GYN physician. 

The WakeMed system consistently meets and exceeds nationally established quality-focused criteria that emphasize patient safety, positive outcomes, and exceptional care. WakeMed has one of the lowest c-section rates in the U.S. and was the first hospital in Wake County to incorporate the concept of single-room care in a NICU setting.

WakeMed’s three hospitals were also recently among a select group recognized for success in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, all three WakeMed hospitals received four star Breastfeeding Friendly designation from the NC Department of Public Health. WakeMed was also named the best place to have a baby in the Triangle by the News & Observer's 2025 Raleigh's BEST awards. 

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates, among other measures. For more information, visit Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.