The neonatal intensive care unit at UP Health System–Marquette is pictured. (Photo courtesy of UPHS-Marquette)

MARQUETTE — The Economic Alliance of Michigan has recognized UP Health System-Marquette with a 2024 Hospital Maternity Care Improvement Award for demonstrating excellence and improvement in maternity care and delivery outcomes.

UPHS-Marquette is one of three hospitals across the state to receive this award as part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. This achievement marks a decrease in cesareans, episiotomies and elective early deliveries over a two-year period.

Awarded facilities must also fully meet the standard for unnecessary cesarean delivery rates, which is 23.6% or less of low-risk deliveries.

The overall goal of the EAM Maternity Care Project is to reduce the infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan.

Unnecessary C-sections can increase the risk of hemorrhage, infection, blood clots and transfusions for the mother and increase the risk of respiratory complications, neonatal intensive care stays and infection for newborns.

“While sometimes necessary, invasive surgery comes with risk. C-sections are no exception and can increase the possibility of complications for both mom and baby,” said obstetrics and gynecology physician Breanna Pond, M.D., who also serves as the medical director of UPHS-Marquette’s Family Birthing Center, in a news release. “In most cases, a vaginal delivery is safest and easiest to recover from, so that’s what we aim for with our low-risk patients. In addition to regular visits with mom throughout pregnancy in which we evaluate progress, discuss options and provide education, we also encourage the natural birthing process with an empowering, supportive labor environment and a strong collaboration with our Family Birthing Center team to achieve good outcomes.”

This award showcases the hard work and collaboration of the UP Health System-Marquette Labor and Delivery team, which consists of physicians, nurses and care aides/unit clerks.

“It’s truly a privilege to support women through the labor and delivery process,” said Alicia Skoko, R.N., director of the Family Birthing Center at UPHS-Marquette. “This award is a testament that we’re doing the necessary work to provide our patients with a safe space for bringing new life into the world.”

The Family Birthing Center at UPHS-Marquette is equipped 24/7 with a team of professionals to help families welcome their newborns as safely and smoothly as possible — even those that are high-risk. It also houses the U.P.’s only neonatal intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants.

The NICU is located directly adjacent to the Family Birthing Center, allowing families to stay together should their newborns need specialized or intensive care and support post-birth.