At a time when birth rates continue to fall across much of the United States, Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital is seeing a significant increase in deliveries.

St. Mary’s Regional Hospital said in a news release it is experiencing a 15 percent increase in births compared with the previous year, while new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that national birth rates remain in decline.

The growth is being driven by families from across the greater Grand Junction area who are choosing to deliver at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, the news release said. St. Mary’s provides childbirth services that support a wide range of medical needs and birth plans, from uncomplicated pregnancies to high-risk care. That includes options for unmedicated or low-intervention labor, pain relief medications, Cesarean sections and advanced care when complications arise.

Care is provided by a coordinated team of certified nurse-midwives, OB-GYNs, nurses and specialty staff who support mothers, babies and families throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and recovery.

According to the news release, St. Mary’s Regional Hospital is also home to the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Western Colorado, offering specialized care for premature infants and newborns with complex medical conditions. The NICU is equipped to support babies who may require assistance with breathing, feeding or other medical interventions.