Your Care at
UC Health Medical Center
Location
3118 Bellevue Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45219
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Honest information to help you choose and prepare
How to use this guide
Hospital Snapshot
Infant Care
How this hospital supports mamas and babies
- Tracks infant outcomes by race and ethnicity to identify gaps and improve newborn care
- Stronger tracking by race and ethnicity is being built to better understand and close disparities
- Tracks and supports families with skin-to-skin care
- Provides daily breastfeeding support, earning a 5-Star Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies designation and a Baby-Friendly designation
- Follows national best practices for breastfeeding including hands-on support and donor milk
- Teaches families about creating safe sleeping spaces and helps them get a crib if they need one
- Next-day follow-up for your baby after discharge through the Baby Steps Program
- Has a Level III NICU for babies who need advanced or specialized care
What this means for you
Maternal Care
How this hospital supports mamas and babies
- More mamas who deliver here start prenatal care early compared to the regional average
- Offers early prenatal care through in-network providers and reaches out to mamas who haven’t started care yet
- Helps with food, housing, financial counseling, transportation, safety, and emotional support
- Helps mamas quit smoking with tobacco treatment specialists and nicotine replacement options, gum, lozenges, patches, and tablets, and referrals to local programs
- Welcomes doulas before, during, and after birth
- Offers family planning services and counseling before you go home
- Works to lower unnecessary C-sections by reviewing birth plans
- Uses safety checks during labor to act quickly if complications appear
- Tracks maternal outcomes by race and ethnicity and uses leadership reviews and action plans to improve care
- Care teams review recovery data to strengthen postpartum support and follow-up
- Bias-reduction and respectful-care work are part of their improvement efforts
What this means for you
Community Care
How this hospital supports mamas and babies
- Connects mamas to community resources for food, housing, transportation, safety, emotional well-being, and baby supplies at multiple points in pregnancy
- Works with a wide network of partners to connect families to resources: Every Child Succeeds for food assistance, Ronald McDonald House and Section 8 housing assistance for housing and legal help, Hospital Metro and Lyft for transportation, and Women Helping Women and the YMCA for safety support
- Partners with community-led groups like Queens Village to center Black mamas’ voices in care and advocacy
What this means for you
Hospital Commitment
How this hospital supports mamas and babies
- Reviews maternal outcomes by race and ethnicity to find gaps in care and improve care
- Looks at patient feedback and satisfaction to understand what’s working and what needs to change
- Improves birth safety by participating in statewide and national safety programs, including the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative and the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, focusing on high blood pressure and postpartum hemorrhage
- Partners with the Queens Village Hospital Advisory Board to review progress on care improvements, share updates, and identify priorities
- Collaborates with community doulas and Queens Village Hospital Advisory Board members on reducing unnecessary C-sections and creating birthing plan tools
- Shares Mama Certified information throughout the hospital to reinforce its commitment to better care
- Supports staff through wellness programs and a fully staffed Labor & Delivery team
- Provides compassionate, evidence-based support for mamas and babies through the AIM Substance Use Disorder program
What this means for you
Commitment to Black Mamas and Babies
Who leads this work:
Our commitment:
Community partnership
Community partnership
Black mamas and community partners help guide how care improves at this hospital through the Queens Village Hospital Advisory Board (QVHAB). The QVHAB brings together Black mamas, community partners, and UC Health Medical Center leaders to improve birth care.
They share real experiences, review where care can be better, and guide changes that support safer, more respectful births for Black families. Their feedback helps shape hospital practices, birth plans, and staff training so care reflects what Black mamas say they need.
Co-creation in action
Co-creation in action
Because of the partnership with the Queens Village Hospital Advisory Board (QVHAB), UC Health Medical Center:
- Created birthing plan templates with mamas, community doula groups and care teams that better reflect mamas’ preferences
- Used research and real birth experiences to guide improvements in care
- Welcomed Queens Village Corner into clinic settings to share information, offer support, and strengthen connections between mamas and care teams
How this hospital listens to families
How this hospital listens to families
- Patient surveys and feedback
- Follow-up calls or visits after care
- Review of patient concerns
- Input from the community advisory board
- Mama Certified experience study
- Changes made based on family feedback
- Mamas are encouraged to speak up during care
What this means for you
This partnership ensures that Black mamas play an active role in shaping how care improves. Your experiences help set priorities, guide staff training, and influence the policies and practices that support safer births.
It also means the hospital is held accountable through regular reviews, shared data, and ongoing collaboration, leading to care that is safer and more responsive to the needs of every mama and baby.
Question You Can Ask
How can I share feedback about my care?
Staff Training and Equity
- Offers Employee Assistance Program and THRIVE, a wellness program for all UC Health employees
- All Women’s Health and OB/GYN staff complete Mama Certified and soft-skills training that strengthens communication and trust with mamas
- Staff learn active listening, empathy, how to care for families from different cultures, emotional intelligence, and stress management
- 100 percent of assigned staff have completed Mama Certified training, helping to provide safer, more respectful care for Black mamas
- UCMC trains staff on working with doulas so the full care team understands the doula’s role and how to support families together
Your Pregnancy Journey at UC Health Medical Center
Before Delivery
Getting Prenatal Care Early (Before 13 Weeks)
Starting Prenatal Care Early
How support works here
- Offers early prenatal care through in-network providers
- The percentage of mamas birthing at this hospital who receive early prenatal care is below the 2024 regional average of 60.50%
- They are working to raise this number through outreach
How they help you start care sooner
- They listen early for what might make care harder, like transportation, and provide timely support including Lyft rides to help mamas get to prenatal visits
- They train staff to recognize when mamas need support and connect them to help right away
- They work on access issues that make it hard to attend the first prenatal appointment
Where support is growing
- Partnering with Cincinnati Health Department clinics and local health centers to help more mamas get early pregnancy care
Why this matters
What this means for you
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
During Your Birth
Your voice, your choices, and your support team (including your doula) should be part of your care. This section walks you through what usually happens during birth and how to ask for the care you deserve.
Every birth is unique, so your experience may look a little different from what’s shown here.
Your Care Team, Rights, and Support People
Your care team includes nurses, providers, and the people you choose to support you. This hospital uses a team-based approach so you can be part of decisions about your care.
Your Rights During Care
Know Your Rights
Doulas and Support People
Staff are trained to work with doulas as part of your care team so you have emotional and physical support throughout your birth.
What this means for you
A doula provides emotional and physical support during labor and birth. A doula is not a medical provider.
How support works here
- Up to four support people during labor
- Bring your doula to support you through triage, labor, birth, recovery, and during C-sections
- Have your chosen loved ones, a partner, family member, or friend, by your side
- Support people, including doulas, may not be able to be in the operating room in all situations. Your care team will let you know
- Staff are trained to work respectfully with doulas as part of your care team
Can my doula be with me the whole time?
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Your Birth Choices and Support
C-sections
How support works here
- Tracks C-section rates for first-time, low-risk mamas
- Works to safely lower unnecessary C-sections
- Plans to review C-section data by race
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Birth Safety
What this hospital focuses on
- Preventing dangerous bleeding
- Watching for high blood pressure
- Using safer labor and C-section protocols
- Tracking serious maternal complications
- Neonatal resuscitation, which is baby life support right after birth
- Holding regular check-ins to make sure your care stays on track
- Participating in statewide and national safety programs, including the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative and Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Planned Early Delivery (37–39 Weeks)
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Being Heard During Your Stay
What this hospital focuses on
- They ask for feedback through patient surveys
- They follow up with calls or visits after your stay
- Providers review any concerns you share
- A community advisory board lifts up the voices of Black mamas
- Through the Mama Certified birthing experience study, they hear directly from Black mamas and make care better where needed
What this means for you
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Caring For Your Baby
Feeding Your Baby
This hospital supports you whether you breastfeed, pump, or need another plan. Why? Because your first days with your baby should feel cared for, not rushed. This hospital will explain your choices, offer guidance and respect no matter what feeding looks like for you.
How this hospital helps you feed your baby
- Trained breastfeeding staff
- Coordinates discharge so you and your baby have timely access to ongoing feeding support and care after leaving the hospital
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Skin-to-Skin and Bonding
How this hospital supports skin-to-skin care
- Uses skin-to-skin care after birth to support bonding, early feeding, and your baby’s transition
- Trains staff to help mamas and babies have safe, supported skin-to-skin time
- Tracks and reviews skin-to-skin care to make sure this support is provided consistently
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
If Your Baby Needs Extra Support
Some babies need more medical care after birth. If your baby needs extra support, this hospital is prepared to help.
When a baby needs extra care
- Has a Level 3 NICU if your baby needs specialized care
- Reviews newborn outcomes during clinical meetings to reduce complications
- Explains what’s happening and what to expect in clear, plain language
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Your Health & Going Home
Getting Ready to Go Home
Keeping you and your baby safe at home
Here’s how this hospital prepares you for going home
- Asks about food, housing, safety, emotional well-being, baby supplies, and transportation needs
- Works with trusted partners to link families to food and nutrition help, housing and stability resources, financial counseling, and programs that support healthy pregnancies and growing families
- Offers transportation help for medical appointments and connects mamas to safety, mental health, and emotional support resources when extra care is needed
- Teaches safe sleep steps before you leave the hospital
- Helps families get a safe crib if they need one
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Your Healing After Birth
How this hospital helps you heal after giving birth
- Provides care instructions for your body and your baby
- Talks to you about warning signs you should watch out for
- Tells you who to call for help
Question You Can Ask
How do I know if my healing is on track?
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Support for Your Emotional Health
Feeling sad or overwhelmed does not mean you are weak. It means you need support. Because postpartum depression is common (and treatable), this hospital asks about mental health and follows up when concerns appear.
How this hospital supports your emotional health
- The hospital asks about your emotional health before you go home
- If these check-ins show you may need extra support, the hospital connects you to the right support including counseling, outpatient or inpatient mental health care, and trusted community partners
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Planning Ahead
Family planning and birth control
- Offers full-service reproductive health care in its clinics, so mamas can get the support, guidance, and care they need at every stage of their reproductive journey
Question You Can Ask
See more sample questions on the Advocacy & Resources page (to be commented out for launch)
Have Questions or Concerns?
At UC Health Medical Center
This hospital has patient advocates, social workers, and care team members who can help if you have questions, concerns, or something doesn’t feel right.
At Mama Certified
We want to hear from you too. Whether you have questions about this guide, want to share your experience, or just need someone to listen, we’re here.
What it Means to Be Mama Certified
What UC Health Medical Center Earned
UC Health Medical Center has earned Leader status in all categories for 2025—the highest level of Mama Certified recognition.
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This hospital is a Mama Certified Leader because they are:
- Honest and transparent about their results
- Support your whole life, not just your medical care
- Find and fix gaps in care that affect Black mamas
- Keep you and your baby safe using proven practices
- Listen to Black mamas and community voices and use that feedback to improve
About the Data Behind This Guide
Data sources
Hospital-reported data
Update cycle
Updated annually