MDI Hospital to Close Labor and Delivery Unit Amid Declining Birth Rates: (3/27/2025)

MDI Hospital to Close Labor and Delivery Unit Amid Declining Birth Rates

Only 9 babies delivered in 2025: hospital pivots to sustainable maternal health support

Bar Harbor, ME — MDI Hospital announced today that it will close its Labor and Delivery Unit effective July 1st, citing a dramatic decline in births. The difficult decision comes after a comprehensive review of patient safety, staff readiness, and long-term viability.

In 2024, only 32 babies were born at MDI Hospital. In 2025, that number has dropped to just 9 to date. A decade ago, annual deliveries averaged around 100. With such low volumes, maintaining the specialized skills required for safe, high-quality obstetric care has become increasingly difficult.

“This is deeply personal for me—I gave birth to both of my children here,” said MDI Hospital's President and CEO, Chrissi Maguire. “We know how much this service has meant to our community. But we must adapt to ensure the continued strength of our hospital and the care we provide. This decision, while painful, is necessary to ensure the sustainability of high-quality healthcare services for all.”

Maguire emphasized that the closure does not reflect a diminished commitment to maternal health. Instead, it reflects harsh realities: skyrocketing costs, a shrinking rural population, and inadequate reimbursement from federal and state sources. 

Supporting Maternal Health Through New Models of Care

While the labor and delivery unit will close, MDI Hospital is actively working to ensure maternal health remains a top priority:

• Emergency Department Expansion: A grant and donor-funded renovation will double the size of the Emergency Department. One of the new rooms will be equipped with labor and delivery equipment for emergency births on the Island.

• Regional Partnerships: The hospital is coordinating with nearby facilities to ensure smooth transfers for deliveries.

• Maintaining Expertise: Plans are in place for MDI Hospital’s emergency care staff to rotate through partner hospitals to maintain their labor and delivery competencies.

• Women’s Health Patient Navigator: A new program under exploration would guide expectant mothers through prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care—offering personalized support and care coordination.

“We are committed to doing all we can to support mothers and families,” said Maguire. “With new supportive maternal health services, specialized emergency providers, and a unit ready for urgent deliveries, this difficult transition will not deter us from our mission to deliver compassionate, community-focused care.”

As the Island’s sole health system, MDI Hospital and its Health Centers in Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Trenton serve as a vital resource for the community—providing high-quality care to meet the region’s evolving healthcare needs.