Finding Care in New York
Where to Give Birth on Long Island: Nassau and Suffolk Hospitals Compared
Most Long Island births happen at a handful of large hospitals: North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island in Mineola and Stony Brook University Hospital in Suffolk, plus Long Island Jewish Medical Center on the Queens/Nassau line. Smaller community hospitals deliver closer to home in both counties. Because distances are long, especially in Suffolk, choose your hospital and your OB/GYN together.
On Long Island, "where should I deliver?" is really two questions: which hospital fits your pregnancy, and how long will it take you to get there at 5 p.m. on a Friday in July? This guide uses New York State Department of Health data for 2023 to help with the first, and some practical planning for the second.
Nassau County hospitals (2023 data)
| Hospital | Town | Births | Cesarean rate | VBAC rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore University Hospital | Manhasset | 6,021 | 36% | 14% |
| NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island | Mineola | 5,052 | 39% | 8% |
| Mount Sinai South Nassau | Oceanside | 2,202 | 34% | under 1% |
| Mercy Hospital | Rockville Centre | 932 | 42% | 5% |
| Nassau University Medical Center | East Meadow | 925 | 42% | 11% |
Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park (Queens side of the border) reported 7,288 births, a 33% cesarean rate and a 13% VBAC rate.
Note: NUMC paused most pregnancy services in May 2026, and Becker's Hospital Review reported in July 2026 that its obstetrics program was suspended indefinitely. Call the hospital for current status.
Suffolk County hospitals (2023 data)
| Hospital | Town | Births | Cesarean rate | VBAC rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University Hospital | Stony Brook | 3,795 | 42% | 15% |
| South Shore University Hospital | Bay Shore | 2,586 | 40% | 5% |
| Good Samaritan Hospital | West Islip | 2,410 | 53% | 2% |
| Huntington Hospital | Huntington | 1,944 | 38% | 6% |
| St. Charles Hospital | Port Jefferson | 1,187 | 53% | 4% |
| Stony Brook Southampton Hospital | Southampton | 679 | 38% | 9% |
| Peconic Bay Medical Center | Riverhead | 498 | 40% | 2% |
*VBAC rate = share of people with a prior cesarean who had a vaginal birth. Source: NYS DOH Hospital Maternity Information, 2023. Statewide, the cesarean rate was about 35% and the VBAC rate about 14%.
Note: St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown also reported births in 2023, but news reports said its maternity unit would effectively close on February 1, 2024.
Always call a hospital's labor and delivery unit to confirm current services and insurance before you plan. Services on Long Island have shifted in the past few years, and a friend's experience from 2021 may not match today.
How to read these numbers
- Cesarean rates on Long Island were generally above the state average in 2023, and some Suffolk hospitals reported rates above 50%. A hospital's overall rate reflects its patients (more high-risk pregnancies, more repeat cesareans) as well as its policies. The more useful number is the primary (first-time) cesarean rate. Ask the hospital for it, and ask your OB/GYN about their own.
- VBAC options are limited at many Long Island hospitals. North Shore, Stony Brook and LIJ reported the highest VBAC rates. If you've had a cesarean and want to try labor, raise it at your first prenatal visit, not at 36 weeks. A hospital with a very low VBAC rate may not offer it at all. See VBAC.
- Midwife-attended births were uncommon at most Long Island hospitals. Stony Brook University Hospital reported about 15%, and Stony Brook Southampton and Peconic Bay about 8%. If midwifery care matters to you, that narrows the list quickly.
High-risk pregnancy on Long Island
Long Island has several Regional Perinatal Centers, the state's highest level of perinatal care: North Shore University Hospital and Stony Brook University Hospital are in the Department of Health's RPC program, the DOH hospital profile site lists NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, and LIJ is just over the Queens line. If you're high risk, read our guide to Regional Perinatal Centers in New York.
Distance matters, especially in Suffolk
On the East End and North Fork, the nearest labor unit may be Stony Brook Southampton or Peconic Bay. For a high-risk pregnancy, the nearest Regional Perinatal Center may be an hour or more away, and summer traffic can stretch that. Talk with your provider about:
- When to leave home in labor (often earlier than city patients are told)
- What happens if labor moves fast, especially with a second or later baby
- Whether a planned delivery at a larger hospital makes sense for you
A driving checklist many Long Island families use:
- Do a test drive to the hospital at rush hour, not on a quiet Sunday.
- Know which entrance and parking lot to use for labor and delivery after hours.
- Have a backup driver if your partner commutes into the city on the LIRR.
- Save the labor triage number in your phone and your partner's.
- Keep your bag and car seat in the car from about 36 weeks.
Questions to ask on a tour or call
- What level is your NICU?
- Are obstetricians and anesthesiologists in-house 24/7?
- Do you offer TOLAC/VBAC?
- What's your primary cesarean rate?
- Are midwives or doulas part of the team?
- How many support people can stay overnight?
Finding a provider who delivers where you want
Your hospital is usually decided by your OB's privileges, so ask every office: "Which hospital do you deliver at, and who covers nights and weekends?" Browse Nassau County OB/GYNs and Suffolk County OB/GYNs.
Insurance on Long Island
Many Long Island residents have employer plans with specific hospital networks. Before choosing a practice, confirm that the delivering hospital, the anesthesiology group and the NICU team are in your network; they often bill separately. If you have Medicaid or the Essential Plan, check which Long Island hospitals your plan contracts with. Our checklist on how to check if an OB/GYN is in-network walks through the calls.
When to call your provider
Call your provider or labor triage for regular contractions, leaking fluid, bleeding, or fewer baby movements. Go to the nearest emergency department for heavy bleeding, a seizure, chest pain, trouble breathing, or a severe headache with vision changes. On Long Island, that may not be your planned hospital, and that's okay. Every emergency department can stabilize you and arrange a transfer if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Long Island hospitals deliver the most babies?
In NYS Department of Health data for 2023, North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset reported about 6,000 births, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island in Mineola about 5,050 and Stony Brook University Hospital about 3,800. Long Island Jewish Medical Center, on the Queens–Nassau line, reported about 7,300.
Which Long Island hospitals are Regional Perinatal Centers?
The NYS Department of Health's Regional Perinatal Center program lists North Shore University Hospital and Stony Brook University Hospital, and the DOH hospital profile site also lists NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. Long Island Jewish Medical Center, just over the Queens line, is also in the program.
Is Nassau University Medical Center still delivering babies?
NUMC paused most pregnancy services in May 2026, and Becker's Hospital Review reported in July 2026 that its obstetrics program was suspended indefinitely. Call the hospital for current status before planning to deliver there.
Does St. Catherine of Siena Hospital still have a maternity unit?
Reports in January 2024 said St. Catherine of Siena in Smithtown would effectively close its maternity unit on February 1, 2024. Check with the hospital and plan to deliver elsewhere unless it confirms otherwise.
Why are cesarean rates higher on Long Island?
Several Long Island hospitals reported cesarean rates above New York's statewide average of about 35% in 2023. Rates reflect patient mix, provider practices and hospital policies. Ask your provider about their own cesarean and VBAC approach.
Sources
- NY State Department of Health — Hospital Maternity Information, 2023 (health.data.ny.gov)
- NY State Department of Health — Regional Perinatal Centers contract list (CRER 20513)
- NY State Department of Health — Hospital Profiles, Designated Centers: Regional Perinatal Center
- News 12 Long Island — NUMC pauses some of its services for pregnant women (May 2026)
- Becker's Hospital Review — Nassau University Medical Center pauses obstetrics citing safety concerns (July 2026)
- CBS New York — Catholic Health to close maternity ward at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital (2024)
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a licensed clinician who knows your history. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.