Minneapolis-based Allina Health has made the decision to move its labor and delivery services from Regina Hospital in Hastings, Minn., to United Hospital and Children's Minnesota, both based in St. Paul, effective Feb. 3, 2022, twincities.com reported Nov. 16.
The hospital is moving its labor and delivery unit because of a significant decrease in the number of births. There was a 30 percent decline from 2015 to 2019, according to the publication.
President of Regina Hospital Helen Strike told twincities.com that births declined at the hospital because people are seeking labor and delivery services elsewhere, the hospital offers care for a more niche subset of low-risk moms, and the overall birth rate in the state and the U.S. is dropping.
Several expectant mothers said they are concerned about the decision, who may struggle to find in-network care and will have to travel more than 20 miles to get to St. Paul, twincities.com reported.
An online public hearing will take place Nov. 18, but Ms. Strike said the decision "is already made" and the hospital will not be changing its decision.
"The landscape of obstetric services continues to evolve with contributing factors, such as women delaying their pregnancies to later in life and having smaller families," a spokesperson for Allina Health told Becker's. "There has been a significant decline in birth rates at Regina for the past few years and the rates are projected to continue to decline.
"A stronger partnership among United and Regina Hospitals, allows us to provide a broad array of inpatient obstetric services such as, onsite perinatology, neonatology/NICU, and integrative medicine at United Hospital, while maintaining seamless care locally in the Hastings community for prenatal, post-partum and women’s health needs."