Is Washington County Experiencing a Baby Boom?
More babies than usual were born at Meritus Medical Center in the fiscal year 2024, which might lead one to think Washington County is bucking the national trend toward lower birth rates. But officials say other factors likely come into play.
The Meritus Family Birthing Center recorded 2,065 babies born between July 1, 2023, and June 30, says Ellen Curry, nurse manager of the center. Typically, the center sees between 1,700 and 1,900 babies born annually.
While there was a bump this year in the number of families from Washington County, which is Meritus’ primary service area, it was the growth in the number of families from outside the area who came to the facility to have babies, says Dr. Anand Budi, Meritus chief medical officer.
“There were more patients coming from southern Pennsylvania and a fair number from Frederick County, and some from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia,” Anand says. “There was a slight increase in Washington County as well, but I’m not sure I would call that a baby boom yet.”
Meanwhile, the fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with fewer than 1.6 children being born per woman, according to federal data. In the U.S. each year about 2.1 kids are born per woman, though that number has been dropping lately as more women are waiting longer to have children or never having children.
U.S. News & World Report recently named Meritus a high-performing hospital in maternity care (uncomplicated pregnancy) for 2024.
“We’ve received quality recognitions that put us in a higher class among rural hospitals,” King says.
She noted the birthing center has certified midwives on staff and offers a number of birthing options, plus spacious and comfortable accommodations for parents. In most cases, babies stay in the room with their mothers.
The birthing center also has expert care at the ready should the newborn need it. Meritus has a Level 2 NICU, which has the capability to take care of premature infants and infants with any medical problems that would need specialized intensive care. This eliminates the need to travel outside the area.
The publication’s annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings also recognized Meritus as one of 118 hospitals that provides maternity services in areas that would otherwise lack access to such care.
“This designation is a testament to the dedication of our skilled team members in our labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum unit,” says Carrie Adams, Meritus chief operating officer. “Their commitment to our patients truly reflects our mission of improving the health of our community.”
This is the second year that Meritus has been recognized for its maternity care. To qualify, U.S. News included hospitals that were the only ones providing maternity care in their counties, and that had fewer than 60 obstetric providers per 10,000 births. In addition, the publication included hospitals that were the only hospital within a 15-mile radius in a county with fewer than 128 obstetric providers per 10,000 births.