PVHMC Recognized for Good Birth Outcomes by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) has been awarded the Quality and Sustainability Award for Cesarian Birth Rates (NTSV) for three consecutive years, the Maternal Safety Standards Implementation Award for OB Hemorrhage, and recognized for the 2025 Quality and & Sustainability Honor Roll by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC), an organization committed to ending preventable morbidity, mortality and racial disparities in California maternity care.

PVHMC earned these recognitions by meeting or exceeding state maternal care standards by sustaining a cesarean birth rate among first-time mothers, also known as nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) at or below 23.6% from 2020-2024 and meeting maternal safety standards in obstetric hemorrhage.

“As one of the busiest labor and delivery hospitals in the state, we are honored to be recognized for our expertise and commitment to best practices that help mothers experience safe and healthy births,” said M. Hellen Rodriguez, MD, Perinatologist and Medical Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at PVHMC. “From pregnancy to birth, our entire team of maternal fetal experts compassionately guide our patients through complex conditions, reducing the need for cesarean births, which can increase complications.”

PVHMC is one of more than 200 California hospitals that are active CMQCC members that use its Maternal Data Center to track maternity care performance and identify perinatal quality improvement opportunities. Through research and education, CMQCC has helped California achieve one of the lowest overall maternal mortality rates in the country.

OB hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in California. The California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review has repeatedly identified hemorrhage as one of the causes of potentially preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, a life-threatening complication during pregnancy. CMQCC has been working with hospitals to standardize care and improve their readiness, recognition, response and reporting of obstetric hemorrhage.

Cesarean births among low-risk, first-time mothers, also known as NTSV births, have been the largest contributor to the recent rise in cesarean rates, and accounts for the greatest variation in cesarean rates between hospitals, according to the CMQCC.

Identifying risks for OB hemorrhage and the reduction in primary cesarean births lead to less complications and better health outcomes. PVHMC also works with neighboring health centers to monitor prenatal care for women who plan to give birth at its hospital. The hospital has a maternal-fetal transport program with other facilities to transfer women who experience pregnancy complications to PVHMC. The high-risk maternal fetal transport team is always available to referring facilities and works closely with them to develop a plan of care for every patient.

In the hospital and out in the community, PVHMC focuses on health education to reduce disparities and improve access to maternal-fetal services.

To learn more about PVHMC’s Women’s & Children’s Center, visit here.