Labor and delivery

The more prepared you are for your childbirth experience, the more confident you'll feel as you approach your due date. To help you learn what to expect during labor, delivery and life with a new baby, we offer a variety of educational opportunities, such as:

Labor and delivery tours

Our labor and delivery tours allow you and your family to get acquainted with our maternity unit before the big day. We also encourage you to ask any questions you may have about childbirth or your hospital stay during the tour.

If you would like to schedule a tour, please call our maternity suites at (352) 606-7300. We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our maternity center.

Maternity classes and groups

We offer a range of maternity classes for new parents, expecting parents, and those who are planning to become pregnant. Each class is taught by an experienced childbirth educator who thoroughly covers the class topic and answers any questions you may have.

Our classes and support groups include:

• Belly to Baby Support Group: meets the third Tuesday of each month and offers a support circle throughout your entire pregnancy journey, from conception to postpartum care (open to parents and support people)
• Breastfeeding Support Group: offers support for breastfeeding families on topics which vary each month
• Breastfeeding Beginnings Class: equips new and expectant families to breastfeed successfully
• Childbirth Preparation Class: prepares new parents for the birthing experience by teaching them about newborn basics, the stages of labor and helpful partner support tips
• Healthy Pregnancy Class: teaches expectant parents how to help keep themselves and their babies healthy throughout pregnancy
• New Family Care Class: prepares families to care for their newborn, mother and each other during this new time
• Super Sibling Class: prepares siblings for the new baby with fun and engaging activities

If you have questions or would like more information about any of our classes and support groups, please call our Belly to Childbirth instructor at (352) 585-2543.

Developing a birth plan

We understand preparing for the birth of your child can be overwhelming. That's why we are here to help you outline some of your preferences for birth. In fact, we have an extensive birthing plan outline to help you get started.

We would be happy to help make your birth a great experience by reviewing this plan with you and personalizing it to your preferences and needs.

Ultrasounds and other imaging services

Our board-certified radiologists provide the ultrasounds and other imaging services you need to learn more about your baby's progress in the womb during your pregnancy.

We offer these outpatient imaging services Monday through Friday, from 7:30am to 4:00pm.

If you would like more information about our imaging services for pregnancy, please call (800) 921-7158.

Labor and delivery

When the big day comes, we provide family-centered care throughout your hospital stay. Our private maternity suites offer ample space for your chosen support partners, and our skilled staff focuses on your needs. We respect your birth plan and support your preferences, while prioritizing your and your baby's health and safety.

Additionally, we offer wireless fetal monitoring for our patients who meet certain criteria. With this technology, we are able to track your baby's health information during labor without attaching any cords to you.

Neonatal intensive care

Should your baby need extra care after birth, our hospital is also equipped with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our NICU is designed to allow you to have focused bonding with your baby while we deliver the compassionate intensive care they need during their earliest moments.

To promote family-centered neonatal care, we also offer private NICU suites where parents and babies can room-in together.

After your baby is born, we continue to support you with postpartum care. We help you begin your recovery and learn to care for your new baby with confidence.

With our comfortable maternity suites, you and your baby can be together as much as possible in those first precious days. This allows you to learn how to take care of your baby with the help of our compassionate, highly trained maternity team.

This team is also available to care for your little when you need to care for yourself.

Evidence-based support for breastfeeding mothers

We follow The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding provided by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. This project was created by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund to improve breastfeeding worldwide.

We train all healthcare staff members in the skills needed to carry out our written breastfeeding policy.

Some of our breastfeeding protocols include:

• If you wish to breastfeed, we help you initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth — showing you how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if separated from your infant.
• We only give infants breast milk, unless medically indicated that other sustenance is necessary.
• We encourage breastfeeding on demand and give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.

Breastfeeding classes and support group

We offer a breastfeeding classes and support groups. These allow you to get all your lactation questions answered by a qualified specialist, to learn from other breastfeeding families and to share your experiences as well.

If you would like to speak to one of our lactation specialists, please call (352) 606-7304.

Postpartum depression support

Pregnancy and birth are wondrous and life-changing experiences. As such, many women experience the "baby blues" after birth, which may be described as feelings of sadness and fatigue. However, if these feelings last for more than a short time, it could be postpartum depression.

If you feel you may have postpartum depression, you're not alone. Postpartum depression is common. In fact, about one in eight women report having postpartum depression symptoms.

We recommend talking with your OB/GYN or nurse if you experience postpartum depression symptoms, as they can help you get the support and resources you need to feel better. Seeking help is the first step to feeling like yourself again.