As a woman and an expecting mom, you want the right care for the whole you and your new baby. When you choose Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart in Miramar Beach, FL, you’ll find experienced OB-GYNs, certified nurse midwives and an entire team dedicated to your care. Whether you’re an experienced mom or having your first, you know your body best. And your preferences for your birthing experience and questions are important. Every appointment with your doctor starts with a conversation. You’ll be supported by a team providing the care you and your baby need throughout your pregnancy, labor and delivery, and follow-up care. 

If you need more care, you’ll be connected to our highly experienced maternal-fetal medicine specialists. And if your baby is born premature or needs additional care, you can take comfort in knowing we have the only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) serving Walton and Okaloosa county families right down the hall.

Having your baby at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Birth Place also means you are connected to experienced pediatricians, pediatric specialists and pediatric emergency care at Studer Family Children’s Hospital.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Birth Place is recognized nationally for its maternity care. 

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Personalized care and options during your pregnancy 

Your experienced care team is ready to support you from pre-pregnancy planning to during your pregnancy and beyond. No question is too big and no concern is too small. Your care team may include OB-GYNs, certified nurse midwives, neonatal nurses and other specialists. We understand that every pregnancy is different and are here to support you with:

• 24/7 OB emergency care  
• Breastfeeding support
• Childbirth classes
• Labor, delivery and postpartum care
• Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) and neonatal specialty care
• Level II NICU- care for premature and critically ill babies born 10 weeks early and weighing slightly under 3 pounds

If you or your baby need more care, you’ll be connected to the right specialists, close to home.

Choose care from OB-GYNs and certified nurse midwives

Choosing an OB-GYN is a personal decision. Our OB-GYNs and care team specialists are onsite at our hospitals and birthing centers if you and your baby need more care. OB-GYNs and other specialists are onsite at our hospitals and birthing centers. Our OB-GYN and services include:

• Annual well-woman exams 
• Care during labor and delivery 
• Emotional and mental health support 
• Postpartum care
• Prenatal care and classes on pregnancy, birthing and breastfeeding

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Maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) care for high-risk pregnancy

Sometimes the unexpected happens and your pregnancy becomes high risk. Your OB-GYN may refer you to perinatal care and an MFM specialist at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Birth Place. During your pregnancy, you’ll be surrounded by a highly skilled multispecialty care team. With early and regular prenatal care and monitoring, you’ll have ongoing guidance and support. Your MFM specialist listens to understand you and your preferences and concerns and collaborates with you and your OB-GYN as a team. We connect the dots for moms who have received a high-risk pregnancy diagnosis and deliver support at every step [including access to the most pediatric specialists and specialty programs for newborns] MFM specialists can deliver advanced diagnostic tests and care during your pregnancy that includes:

• Carrying multiples
• Co-management of gestational diabetes
• Coordinating care for babies with congenital abnormalities 
• High blood pressure
• Neonatal intensive care (NICU)
• Preventing or managing preeclampsia
• Transabdominal cerclage (TAC) procedure used to help prevent miscarriage
• General high-risk pregnancy care

Find women’s healthcare that’s built around your life

Choosing Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Birth Place for your maternity care means you are also connected with a national integrated network of doctors and specialists who have expertise in women’s health and pediatric care, including advanced specialty care that you and your family can rely on for a lifetime.

Classes and tours: We prepare you

The Family Birth Place offers a variety of childbirth and parenting education classes. We recommend moms-to-be complete childbirth classes between their 28-36th week of pregnancy. Each program is designed to help you prepare for the big arrival of your bundle of joy and for the days that follow back at home. To sign-up, please pre-register (a requirement for all classes). Classes and tours fill up quickly. For your convenience, some programs are accessible as an online class.

For assistance with class registration, to reschedule for a different class, or to request a refund due to scheduling conflicts, please call our childbirth educator at 850-278-3995 prior to the date of the class.

To schedule a tour, please contact Volunteer Services at 850-278-3676

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For questions or for more information about the Family Birth Place, please call:

Breastfeeding Education
Telephone: 850-278-3995
Email: ecfbpeducation@shhpens.org

Your body goes through many changes during and after pregnancy. Care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart Rehabilitation at the Market Shops can help prepare you for the birth of your child and help you recover faster after you deliver your baby. 

Get your body ready for baby

Learn about: 

• The role of the pelvic floor during the birthing process
• Positions that help relax and open your pelvis for delivery
• Relaxation/breathing techniques
• Perineal massage
• Abdominal taping techniques during pregnancy for support and pain relief
• Education on natural pain relief methods 

Get your body back after baby

Learn about ways to help you heal post delivery:

• Postpartum back and pelvic pain
• Caring for your pelvic floor muscles
• Postpartum fatigue, exhaustion, baby blues and depression
• Postpartum posture and body mechanics
• Get your belly back: Addressing Diastasis Recti Abdominis
• Cesarean scar management
• Postpartum sexual healing

The two classes in the series are $50 each and can be completed in-person or virtually. Classes are at the hospital in Suite 3. For information on class dates and times click here or call us at 850-278-3770.