Who will be the first baby born in the hospital’s new location?
Where a mom chooses to deliver her baby, which is a life-changing event for the mom as well as her family, is a big deal. Generations of Plant Citians have been born at South Florida Baptist Hospital’s (SFBH) dedicated labor and delivery unit since it first opened its doors in 1953. Before its opening, mothers-to-be would deliver their babies at Dr. Thomas C. Maguire’s office located above White’s Drugstore in downtown.
Originally housed on the fourth floor of the hospital, the Labor and Delivery department relocated in 1984 with the construction of the hospital’s South Tower. Although the department has undergone several renovations over the decades, it has utilized the same limited space for the last 40 years because there was no room for expansion.
That’s soon to change with the opening of the new SFBH, located at 3202 N. Park Rd., where the Labor and Delivery department will showcase the expansive new facility. In a climate where many hospitals are making news for shuttering their Labor and Delivery departments, SFBH’s mom and baby footprint has expanded to create a special place designed to make sure patients feel comfortable and cared for while keeping the health and safety of mom and baby as top priorities.
“We currently deliver about 400 to 500 babies a year but we’re anticipating that number could double once the new hospital is open,” said SFBH Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager Mayra Garcia.
The new Labor and Delivery department boasts seven deluxe labor suites, a dedicated operating room for cesarean sections equipped with the newest technology and modernized office space for team members. Every room is thoughtfully designed to enhance the comfort and safety of mom, baby and family members during the birth day experience and those precious first days. Rooms are larger with vast windows overlooking a park-like view, offer additional seating space, and also feature Alexa voice-powered technology to help patients connect with their care team, play music, adjust the blinds and even control the lights.
There is also a dedicated breastfeeding consultation room for mothers who need outpatient breastfeeding help from lactation consultants.
Once housed on one floor, the Labor and Delivery department will occupy two floors of the new hospital, the second and fourth floors. Expectant mothers will deliver their babies in the labor suites on the second floor and then be transferred to the fourth-floor mother and baby unit for recuperation.
Garcia, who takes pride in the care the nurses provide to patients, said the positive reviews the department garners are only one testament to the excellent quality of care. “I delivered all three of my children here,” she said.
Just because they’re moving to a larger, more modern space, doesn’t mean that quality of care will suffer. “That small community feeling will still be here, a lot of our team members are Plant City natives including myself,” said Garcia. “We pride ourselves on helping our patients and being with them through their entire labor journey.”
So, while there may be much ado to recognize the first baby born in the new Labor and Delivery department, whether the first mom and baby or one thousandth, the staff at SFBH will treat you like you’re one in a million.
Like family.
