Ascension co-workers show support for a colleague with a high-risk pregnancy

For Maya Mendez, Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside in Jacksonville, Florida, is more than a workplace, it’s also a place where she can turn to for care.

When Maya, an executive assistant, learned she was pregnant with twins, she chose the hospital she calls home, trusting the expertise of care teams committed to supporting mothers during their unique birthing experience. “I chose Southside because I see their dedication to patients everyday,” Maya explained. 

St. Vincent’s Southside’s Family Birthplace provides personalized care to patients, such as birthing rooms where moms, babies and families can experience the entire labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum phases in the comfort of one space. They also provide resources like lactation consultants, wireless fetal monitoring and natural labor support.

Maya’s first pregnancy brought health challenges. At 35 weeks, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure, and was admitted to Southside.

After a week of bedrest, her care team decided a C-section was necessary due to continued blood pressure increase that put both her and her unborn children in jeopardy. Despite the high-risk diagnosis, Maya and her husband felt confident in their care team. Throughout her delivery, caregivers also made her feel supported emotionally.

“I will never forget my nurse Kelsey who was there for me when I was scared,” she said. I was shaking and crying, and she rubbed my arms and kept telling me: ‘We’ll make sure you’re good, we’re not going to leave you.’”

While Maya’s care team kept her healthy, her colleagues made her feel supported and loved. From surprise baby showers to associates checking in on her during her hospital stay, St. Vincent’s culture of compassion shone through.

“They just truly have care and compassion here,” Maya said. “I think that's really what's great about our Mission, is we're here to serve others, and you can see that as soon as you step in the door. They weren’t just caring for us as patients or me as co-workers, but as a person.”

A little over a year later, Maya’s daughters are thriving, and she still sees members of her care team around the hospital. 

“I still see Kelsey all the time,” she said. “She asks how the girls are doing and I always show her pictures. It’s amazing to have that bond with people who were there during such a critical time.”

She remains grateful to the care teams that made it possible. “Southside isn’t just a hospital; it’s a community, and I’m blessed to be part of it.”

Learn more about Ascension’s St. Vincent’s maternity care by clicking here.