Olivia and Toby
For more than four decades, HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital has been honored to be part of the birth stories of local families. Over the years, many of those babies have returned to start families of their own, supported by the same compassionate team that cared for them. One of those is Olivia, whose experience captured an even deeper meaning of the hospital’s promise to Care Like Family: “The room that I was in was the same one where my mom had me,” she said. “It wasn’t planned; they didn’t even realize it until my dad came in to meet our baby, Bodhi, and explained the connection. It made our experience even more special, truly a full-circle moment.”
The unexpected link was a touching culmination to a birth experience filled with compassion, comfort and exceptional care. Olivia and her partner, Toby, had prepared by attending the lactation and birthing classes offered by the hospital. These helped ease their anxiety and gave them a better understanding of what was to come. “I didn’t know what to expect, obviously,” Olivia said, “But going step by step through what I would do and how they’d support me gave us a lot of peace of mind.”
As time passed and Bodhi grew, her physician set an induction date. When the day finally came, Olivia admits there were still some butterflies. “The idea of having a baby, especially if you’ve never done it, was scary. But because of these nurses, I felt safe and supported the whole time.” Olivia said her care team’s willingness to walk her through each step helped reassure her. “I had a lot of questions, and they were happy to take the time and answer everything.”
During labor, Olivia was especially grateful for her nurse, Lexie, who guided her through care options with patience and clarity. “Lexie was amazing throughout my birth experience. I’m so grateful to have had somebody who I knew I could trust fully and help me make informed decisions for me and my baby.”
Throughout the process, Olivia said she felt heard and respected when it came to her choices, whether it was an early epidural or opting out of certain procedures. “They told me, ‘Whatever I wanted to do, they would try their best… ultimately, it’s your decision, your birth,’ which I was very grateful for.”
The couple experienced a level of attentiveness that extended beyond clinical care. “One of my nurses, who wasn’t even supposed to be on shift for my discharge, volunteered to come back and nurses on the third floor for postpartum came up to say goodbye because they knew we were coming home,” Olivia recalled.
What made Olivia’s experience even more personal was a connection that went beyond the delivery room. Her mother, Jen, works on the unit where she gave birth — something Olivia had always hoped would be part of her story. “This is the only place I really wanted to go,” she said. “I’ve grown up loving this team. I know the care they poured into my delivery is exactly how they help bring every baby into the world, from one generation to the next.”
Women’s Care services with heart
From classes and birth preparation, to expert caregivers ready to support moms and babies before, during and after birth, our team is here for you. Connect with one of our experts for a tour of our award-winning unit.