LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)-- Five hospitals in Acadiana along with 30 others in the state were recognized as 'birth-ready' by the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Birth Ready Designation is given to hospitals improving birth outcomes for women and reducing maternal mortality.

Our Lady of Lourdes Women's and Children's Hospital, Iberia Medical Center, Ochsner American Legion Hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Opelousas General Health System were named 'birth ready.'

Brianne Barrilleaux, Our Lady of Lourdes Perinatal Educator, said they had to improve care for each phase of pregnancy to earn this designation.

“We are doing work around reducing our cesarean birth rate. That was a heavy one," Barrilleaux said. "We're also doing work around reducing maternal morbidity related to hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and also how timely and how appropriately are we treating those emergencies that occur. "

Those risks contributed to 82 pregnancy-related deaths in Louisiana in 2020, with the top causes being cardiomyopathy, accidental overdose, infection and cardiovascular conditions.

The statewide preterm birth grade is an F, with poor outcomes attributed to socioeconomic determinants and patients' physical health.

“I want moms to know that they are in safe hands when they come to deliver at our facility, that our nurses are prepared to take care of them using the safest and most up to date care possible," Barrilleaux said. "I want them to know that our hospital is committed to providing the safest care for them and their baby.”

The criteria to receive the Louisiana Birth Ready Designation is focused on collaborative learning, health disparity and patient partnerships, policies and procedures, structures and education and outcomes and process measures.

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