Keri and Ross
“This is our little miracle,” Keri said, her voice filled with emotion looking over new newborn son, Turner. After years of trying and preparing for IVF, she and her partner Ross were overjoyed to discover they were pregnant just a month before starting treatment. Their journey brought them to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, and what they found exceeded every expectation.
From the moment they arrived, the care team made them feel seen and supported. “Our doctor gave us a birth preference sheet when we started planning for the delivery,” Keri explained, “but when we arrived for the induction, the nursing checking us in walked us through all of the services they offered, and it was everything — they were ready to do everything on our wish list.”
Ross added, “For us, that was a big deal. We were able to do the delivery pretty much exactly the way we wanted to do it.”
Even though Keri knew there were multiple deliveries on their floor that night, the staff never wavered in their attentiveness or compassionate care. “They were very busy,” Keri recalled, “but they got us up to the waiting room very fast… I was a little nervous, this being my first, and not knowing what to expect. But having them always close was a great comfort to me.”
What stood out most was the personal connection with the staff. Keri described how one nurse, who was assigned to other patients, came back to check on her every day. “And when I was in the height of my labor, she came in stood with me. I looked up and it felt so good to have a friendly face there. She told me, ‘You can do this, girl, you’re doing great.’ It was just so awesome.”
Keri had high praise for the whole team that helped her through contractions, and ultimately, pushing: “I could not have gotten through it without their encouragement. They were phenomenal.”
The emotional impact of the experience was profound. “My mom was here for the delivery, and when I was looking through her photos, I noticed the faces of the doctor and nurses and everyone in the room — and they were beaming, like it was the happiest day for them, too. Knowing they care that much, it brings tears to my eyes.” Ross echoed the sentiment: “You guys have some really good people on the team here. They’ve been great.”
Even postpartum care was exceptional. “The nurses are very, very attentive. They’ve taught us a lot as new parents,” Keri said. When baby Turner had low blood sugar, the team guided them through formula supplementation to breastfeeding and provided reassurance every step of the way.
Reflecting on the experience, Keri shared a quote from her father, who had also seen the team’s passion for their work: “He said, ‘It’s women helping women, you know, they're warriors and we help each other.’ And that’s awesome.”
Advanced Women’s Care services, close to home
Our specialized OB/GYN nursing team is ready to provide a safe and positive birth experience for you and your baby. Get prepared with our classes, events and even schedule a tour of where you’ll welcome baby into the world. We offer a number of amenities like aromatherapy and positioning to relieve stress and accommodate your birth plan. Explore our comprehensive program and connect with our experts today.