Labor and delivery

The labor and delivery rooms at the HCA Florida Memorial Hospital Women's Center are designed to give you flexibility and comfort during your stay.

Our team of physicians, nurses and certified nurse midwives are committed to helping you with your birth plan so that you can feel safe and supported throughout your labor.

You will be in the same room for your delivery and immediate recovery. After your baby is born, we will bathe and weigh them right in your room, making your bonding experience more intimate.

After you give birth, we will take you to the mother-baby unit for postpartum care. The mother-baby unit offers a comfortable sleeper sofa for your partner. If you had a cesarean delivery (C-section), we will bring your baby to you in the perinatal recovery room for bonding time. You will then be taken to the mother-baby unit, where you will stay until you are discharged.

Family-centered pregnancy care

At the women's center, we are here to provide a birthing experience that involves your family in whatever way you choose. If you have other children, they are welcome to visit during labor and may be able to attend delivery at your request. Additionally, we provide playrooms for siblings and sibling classes to help your children know what to expect when your new baby comes home.

Breastfeeding support

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby. It is properly balanced, and it even changes to meet your baby’s needs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding throughout the first year. However, any amount of breast milk you can give your baby is very beneficial.

If you would like to breastfeed, we have a full-time certified lactation consultant to assist you and answer any questions you may have about breastfeeding. Our lactation consultant is available for consultation both during your stay and after you’ve been discharged from the hospital.

For more information about our breastfeeding support services, call (904) 702-1538.

Childbirth education and preparation classes

Preparing for your new baby is an exciting time for you and your growing family. We offer many different classes and tour options to help you prepare for your baby's arrival.

Some of the classes we offer include:

• Prepared Childbirth Class — This comprehensive five-week series will prepare you for labor and delivery, postpartum and the early parenting experience. It includes the Breastfeeding Class, Baby Care Basics Class and a tour of the Women’s Center.
• Prepared Childbirth Class Weekend Crash Course —This condenses the five-week Prepared Childbirth Class into a weekend. We cover all of the same topics to ensure you are ready to welcome your baby into the world.
• Breastfeeding Class — This addresses topics such as proper positioning, how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, pumping milk and returning to work. Fathers are encouraged to attend.

For additional information about our classes or to register for a tour, please call (904) 702-6691.

Breastfeeding Support Group

We offer monthly support sessions for breastfeeding moms and babies. Topics discussed include growth spurts, siblings and weaning.

Tours

We offer daytime and evening tours of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital Women's Center at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital.

Your baby’s birth and their first few moments of life are memories you will cherish forever. Take some time to think about what will make those memories even more special for you and your family. Now is the time to discuss these ideas with your healthcare provider. We’ll work with you to help plan your baby's arrival in a way that meets your needs and preferences.

Pre-admission

We offer an easy one-step registration process. To register, print and fill out the Maternity Pre-Admission Form and mail it in or fax it to (904) 702-1463 before your 24th week of pregnancy.

When you come to the hospital, bring your insurance cards and any paperwork your insurance company requires. If you are on a CHAMPUS plan, please bring your non-availability and military ID cards, regardless of which plan you are on.

Choose your baby's doctor

You should choose a pediatrician for your baby about two months before your due date. We will ask for your physician’s name when you are admitted. If needed, we can help you find a conveniently located physician who participates in your insurance plan.

If you and your physician have special arrangements regarding the care or admission of your baby, the physician’s office must provide them to us in writing before your delivery. You and your partner should also discuss circumcision with your physician before your baby is born.

Car seat laws

Florida law requires that all children younger than four years old be secured in an approved child passenger safety seat while riding in a motor vehicle. This law includes the newborn’s first ride home from the hospital. You must bring a baby car seat with you, so be sure to purchase and correctly install a rear-facing infant car seat well before your due date.

Nutrition during pregnancy

A healthy, well-balanced diet will help you better handle the physical stresses of pregnancy and ensure your baby receives the nutrients essential for development. Eat at least three meals a day, or consider eating four to six small meals a day (especially if you experience nausea).

Make it a habit to choose snacks high in vitamins, minerals and protein. Limit your intake of foods high in sugar or fat or with little nutritional value. Remember, anything you eat, your baby eats. Talk to your doctor about what to include or exclude from your diet, but typically you will want to have:

• Calcium-rich foods
• Fluids
• Fruits
• Grains
• Vegetables
• Meat and protein-rich foods

What to avoid during pregnancy

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects, learning disabilities and behavioral problems in your baby. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the medical term that describes the physical and mental problems that affect children born to mothers who drank during their pregnancies.

The adverse effects of drinking depend on the amount consumed, the stage of pregnancy and certain susceptibilities in the mother and her baby. The safest course to take while you’re pregnant is to not drink alcohol at all.

Medication and drugs

Do not take any medication until you have checked with your healthcare provider. This includes aspirin, allergy medication, large doses of vitamins, homeopathic remedies and prescription drugs.

You should avoid all recreational drugs, including marijuana. Smoking while you’re pregnant can impair your baby’s growth.

Once your child is born, a smoke-free house is a much safer and healthier environment.

Exercise during pregnancy

Physical fitness is another important factor in a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Our HEART Fitness Center offers a wide variety of exercise equipment, stretching and aerobics classes and general fitness instruction. For questions or to learn more about membership options at our fitness center, call (904) 858-7320.