An Overview of Distribution of Births in United States Hospitals in 2008 with Implications for Small Volume Perinatal Units in Rural Hospitals

U.S. births are unevenly distributed among hospitals; 15% have a disproportionate share of nearly one half of all births. Most hospitals (69.4%) are operating medium‐ to small‐volume OB units. Most hospitals (72.3%) with <100 births annually reported currently meeting minimum staffing guidelines.