When Reniece walked into HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital’s Emergency Department with an unusual pain in her side the day before going into labor, she had no idea she was about to meet the team who would help guide her through what she now calls “the perfect first birth experience.”
From the moment she arrived, one thing stood out: the people. “I really loved the energy… the people were so sweet,” she said, remembering that very first encounter. Reniece had planned to deliver in the Miami area, but her experience with the hospital’s compassionate ER team and the Labor and Delivery nurse who verified her baby was safe, prompted Reniece to change her plans at the last minute. She took an impromptu tour of the brand-new Labor and Delivery unit and… “I thought it was perfect,” she said.
As a first‑time mom who had done a lot of research and strongly hoped for a natural birth, Reniece feared being pressured into interventions she didn’t want. Her care team understood that immediately. They supported her every step without judgment:
“There was no pushing C‑sections, no pushing anything medication‑wise. They really let me just do my thing.”
But they also made sure she never felt uninformed or unsafe. When her labor slowed at one point, her nurse talked her through what was happening with empathy and clarity. “They kept me informed because the number one priority for both of us was always a safe labor and delivery.”
For Reniece, the emotional support was just as powerful as the medical expertise. She describes feeling deeply cared for, with nurses anticipating her needs with a gentleness she says she will never forget: “They gave me all the information I needed. They explained everything… they ran around the clock for me and the baby.”
As her labor progressed, Reniece took note of the thoughtful touches, including being able to experience something many new moms never get: the ability to witness her own strength. “She brought the mirror and I was really able to see what was going on, and that helped me a lot.”
By the end of her stay, with a healthy baby girl dozing against her chest, one thing was certain: “I’m so beyond grateful, I definitely will be back!” Reniece hopes her story will offer other moms the reassurance she wishes she’d had early in her pregnancy: “If I would have heard a story like this, it would have made me feel way more confident… to know I had a place like this I could really rely on close to home.”
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.