With 24/7 OB Emergency Departments and on-site NICUs, MemorialCare is transforming maternal and neonatal care — ensuring no family faces pregnancy complications alone
During pregnancy, unexpected challenges can sometimes arise, making the quality of hospital care especially important for the well-being of both mother and baby. In Orange County, families trust MemorialCare’s Orange Coast Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center for expert, compassionate obstetric and neonatal care.
For expectant mothers, quick access to advanced emergent maternity care can make all the difference. Both hospitals have dedicated Obstetric Emergency Departments (OB EDs), staffed 24/7 by hospital-based OBGYNs and nurses. This ensures mothers receive immediate, expert care for maternity-related complications, bridging the gap between routine monitoring and urgent intervention.
“Pregnancy doesn’t always follow a predictable path,” said Jennifer Ayala, RN, director, Childbirth Center, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center. “Our OB EDs are designed to meet those moments with immediate, specialized care — so mothers aren’t left waiting when something feels urgent. It’s about being ready when they need us most.”
Women who are at least 16 weeks into their pregnancy can visit the OB ED for urgent issues such as severe pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or complications related to fertility. During pregnancy, common reasons for seeking care include early labor, bleeding, changes in fetal movement, or high blood pressure. Additionally, new mothers can return to the OB ED for postpartum concerns — including heavy bleeding, infection, or severe pain — up to six weeks after delivery, ensuring support continues well beyond childbirth.
When emergencies result in a premature birth or a baby with medical complications, immediate access to advanced neonatal care is critical. Both hospitals provide on-site neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for babies who are critically ill or born prematurely. Orange Coast Medical Center operates a Level II NICU, which cares for moderately ill or premature infants who need close monitoring and short-term support. Saddleback Medical Center is home to the Level III Irma Feldcamp NICU, offering a high level of care available for the most vulnerable newborns.
A Level III NICU can care for babies born before 32 weeks, those weighing less than 1,500 grams (3.3 pounds), or any infant with serious medical conditions needing surgery or specialized care, regardless of age or weight. The highly skilled team — including neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pediatric specialists — provides immediate access to advanced treatments and technology, improving outcomes and offering families peace of mind.
“Within our NICU we can care for babies born as early as 24 weeks’ gestation or those with serious medical conditions,” said Christine Huff, RN, director, The Women’s Hospital, Saddleback Medical Center. “Our team includes neonatologists, respiratory therapists and specialized nurses who work together to ensure each baby receives the highest level of care.”
These NICUs provide lifesaving, 24/7 care from a specialized team. Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care through techniques like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), which helps stabilize vital signs and supports development. Kangaroo care is just one part of a comprehensive approach: the NICU team also delivers advanced respiratory support, nutritional therapy, and individualized care plans for each infant.
Families also receive support from social workers, developmental therapists, and lactation consultants, along with educational resources to help them through their NICU journey. This family-centered approach ensures the best outcomes for even the most fragile newborns.
Orange Coast Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center provide more than just in-hospital support — they offer a comprehensive range of educational and emotional care resources to guide families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This includes childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, and postpartum classes designed to help parents feel informed and confident.
At Saddleback Medical Center, expectant mothers benefit from an extra layer of support – the hospital is the only one in Orange County to offer a dedicated maternity concierge to all expecting parents. This personalized service provides one-on-one guidance throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, helping families schedule appointments, coordinate care, find resources, and navigate insurance questions.
Recognizing the diverse needs of the community, Orange Coast Medical Center also offers prenatal, postpartum, and breastfeeding classes in Vietnamese, ensuring language is never a barrier to receiving compassionate care. These culturally sensitive classes are led by experienced Vietnamese educators and are tailored to the needs of Vietnamese-speaking families.
MemorialCare delivers expert, compassionate maternity care – from emergency OB to neonatal support – ensuring every mother and baby receives the highest level of care.
Want to learn more? Call (877) 696-3622.
The news and editorial staffs of the Orange County Register had no role in this post’s preparation.
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