This just in: Here is Fit Pregnancy's third annual "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby Report" for 2008:
Pittsburgh, unfortunately, did not make the list, even though there seems to be a lot of babies around these days.
Fit Pregnancy set out to determine what makes a city most advantageous for pregnant women, new parents and babies, and to commend cities that provide a safe and healthy environment in which to have a baby. The magazine examined 50 criteria, including fertility services, maternal and infant health risk, access to hospitals and doctors, safety, affordability, stroller friendliness and birthing options. The complete list of the "Best Cities in America to Have a Baby" appears in the February/March issue of Fit Pregnancy, which appears on stands today.
1. Portland, Ore.
2. Minneapolis
3. San Francisco
4. Seattle
5. Denver
6. Boston
7. Omaha, Neb.
8. Virginia Beach
9. Austin, Texas
10. Albuquerque, N.M.
Here are other accolades:
Best Access to Hospitals and Doctors: Baltimore
Most Affordable City: Columbus
City With the Lowest Medical Costs: Jacksonville, FL
City With the Lowest Health Risk: Minneapolis
Safest City: Virginia Beach
Best City for Parks/Strollers: Virginia Beach
Best City for Breastfeeding: San Diego
Best City for Fertility Services: Chicago
Best City for Child Care: Baltimore
City with the Most Birthing Options: San Diego