By Denise Castellanos, certified nurse midwife, MemorialCare Medical Group – Saddleback Medical Center (Women’s Health Pavilion)
When you’re starting to grow your family, selecting the right care team and the location where you want to deliver is crucial for your ideal birth experience — but knowing where to start can be daunting. At The Women’s Hospital at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, we are here to meet you where you are and support you through your birth journey, addressing your questions and concerns every step of the way.
We start by being the only hospital in Orange County that offers a maternity concierge to every maternity patient that comes to us — a benefit other hospitals only offer to high-risk pregnancies. Our focus is to ensure you are supported in your family planning journey. In addition to our maternity concierge, our OB-GYNs and certified nurse midwives are available to help answer some important questions you may have about where to deliver, such as:
Health care provider: Are you considering having a doula with you, or just a certified nurse midwife or an OBGYN? Philosophy on childbirth: Does their approach align with your preferences? Support for natural birthing methods: Do they have experience and support these methods? Pain management stance: What options do they offer, such as epidurals or alternative methods? Hospital affiliation: Do they deliver at your chosen hospital? Have you seen a virtual tour, or asked for a tour of the birthing suite, or attended an open house? OB ED availability: If you are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or have had pregnancy complications previously, or have underlying health conditions, is there an on-site obstetric emergency department to provide an extra level of care throughout your pregnancy journey? NICU availability: Is a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) available to provide immediate, specialized care for medically fragile or premature newborns? Postpartum support: What support groups or classes are available after birth?These questions are essential as you prepare to welcome your newest family member. Choosing the right provider is key.
At MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, we offer both OB-GYNs and certified nurse midwives, giving you the flexibility to choose the care that best suits your needs. Our OB-GYNs are medical doctors trained in both medical and surgical care, with four years of residency focusing on reproduction, pregnancy, and female health issues. Certified nurse midwives are graduate-prepared clinicians in nursing and midwifery, with some having doctoral preparation in nursing and provide specialized care during prenatal visits, labor, birth, and postpartum.
For over 35 years, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center has been a leader in maternity care, pioneering the first Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) suites in Orange County. Our suites are designed to promote health and bonding, and keeping mom and baby together while ensuring comfort. Features include large windows, Bluetooth speakers, lavender-scented towels, freshly baked cookies, and a celebration brunch. Six suites also include soaking tubs, and all offer peanut balls and rocking chairs for mobility during labor.
The Women’s Hospital also focuses on quality initiatives, including reducing infection rates and supporting vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and empowering women with safe, evidence-based childbirth options. Saddleback Medical Center maintains a 23.2% cesarean birth rate for first-time, low-risk mothers — lower than national and state targets, and many local hospitals.
Beyond the birthing experience, Saddleback Medical Center ensures peace of mind with advanced neonatal care. At The Women’s Hospital, the Level III Irma Feldcamp NICU provides 24/7 specialized care from expert neonatologists and dedicated staff. Having this high level of care within the same hospital is essential — not only for the baby’s health, but also to keep mothers and babies together during critical early moments, supporting bonding, breastfeeding, and emotional well-being.
In addition to medical care, Saddleback Medical Center offers complimentary postpartum wellness classes, funded by the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, to support new mothers. These include Mommy & Me Postpartum Support Classes provided by The Mommy Center, which consist of a structured five-week series tailored for moms with newborns aged 0 – 6 months. Each 75-minute session offers guidance and community support during the early stages of motherhood. Additionally, Stroller Barre classes by Fit4Mom provide 60-minute total body workouts focused on improving posture, stability, and mobility, while safely rebuilding strength from the inside out.
Making informed choices about your maternity care can set the stage for a confident and empowering birth experience. By exploring your options, understanding the resources available, and choosing a provider who aligns with your values and health needs, you can look forward to a supportive journey from pregnancy through postpartum.
Want to learn more? Visit memorialcare.org/SMCBaby or call at (949) 397-8072.
The news and editorial staffs of the Orange County Register had no role in this post’s preparation.
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