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Quick Facts:
Northwest AR,
Fort Smith
As birth rates continue to fall nationally and in Arkansas, Mercy’s Arkansas hospitals reached milestones last year. Both Mercy Fort Smith and Mercy Northwest Arkansas welcomed a record number of babies at their facilities in 2025, breaking records set in 2024.
Each hospital has experienced a steady increase in the number of births over the past few years. At Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, 3,006 babies were welcomed in 2025, an increase over the 2,910 babies who arrived at the hospital in 2024.
The number of babies born at Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas grew from 2,254 in 2024 to 2,498 last year, an increase of 244.
This achievement reflects the trust families place in Mercy and the dedication of its maternity care teams, said Samantha Cole, vice president of patient care services at Mercy Fort Smith.
“This is more than just a number — it represents hundreds of new beginnings, each with its own story,” she said. “We are honored to be part of these life-changing moments and to provide compassionate, exceptional care to every mother, baby and family at our hospital.”
“We see each birth as a celebration,” added Whitney Tolbert, vice president of Women’s and Children’s Services at Mercy Northwest Arkansas. “This record is a testament to our incredible caregivers, who work tirelessly to make every delivery safe, memorable and filled with joy.”
Each hospital features an obstetrics emergency department (OB/ED) available 24/7 to care for pregnant or postpartum women facing emergency situations such as abdominal pain or cramping, heavy bleeding, preterm labor and more. Mercy Fort Smith’s OB/ED opened in 2019, while Mercy NWA launched its location in late 2025.
The record deliveries are also attributed to the personalized, family-centered care offered at Mercy Arkansas hospitals. In addition to delivering healthy babies, Mercy continues to offer:
· Private labor and delivery rooms, as well as mother-baby bonding rooms.
· Delivery and comfort options, including epidural anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
· Breastfeeding and lactation support, including breastfeeding classes.
· Level III neonatal intensive care units (NICU) designed to care for babies facing challenges, with a Ronald McDonald House on-site at Mercy Fort Smith and Ronald McDonald Family Room serving families at Mercy NWA.
· Downloadable guides focused on pregnancy, baby checklists, birth plans, parenting education and more.
Mercy leaders and caregivers are privileged to be part of countless family stories and remain committed to growing with Arkansas communities and to supporting every new beginning in 2026 and beyond.
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