A 38-week pregnant woman transfers care to Sacred Heart Midwives to have a voice

What Meghan found unique about her birthing experience at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida, is being heard. At 38 weeks pregnant, she made the bold decision to change providers during her pregnancy and seek midwife-led care that listens and collaborates to come up with a birthing plan that was right for her.

The U.S. News & World Report named Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola as one of "America’s Best Hospitals for Maternity Care," recognized for excellence in care for uncomplicated pregnancies. Meghan turned to Ascension Sacred Heart Midwives seeking care that honored her voice and values. “I felt supported at every step,” she reflected.

When labor began just days after transferring to midwife care, Meghan arrived at Ascension Sacred Heart confident, because she received maternal fetal medicine care there in the past. She felt good knowing the hospital was home to a Level III NICU, offering advanced newborn care if it was ever needed. 

After admission, the midwife on call, Savanna , sat down with Meghan and her husband, Zachary, to review her birth plan and ensure her goals were understood. Savanna and the midwifery team partnered with nurse Abigail to carry out the plan with personalized care. “I’m so grateful Meghan chose our midwifery practice and trusted us with her care. Supporting her birth the way she desired was true joy, and I’ll always remember her smile throughout labor,” shared midwife Savanna.

Meghan was offered a variety of comfort measures, including warm water immersion in a birthing tub, the use of peanut and birthing balls for positioning, massage and guided relaxation, and wireless monitoring that allowed her to remain mobile. The environment was kept quiet and peaceful, with dimmed lights and space for Meghan to move in ways that felt right to her. Throughout her labor, the midwifery team remained present, reviewing her plan and ensuring it was honored at every step.

Active labor progressed quickly, and Meghan's cervix moved from four to seven centimeters in just an hour while she labored in the tub. Although an epidural was not part of her original birth plan, her care team reassured her that birth plans can be flexible. Knowing she had choices gave Meghan peace of mind, and she felt confident making decisions that were right for her in the moment. At 8cm, she chose an epidural to help her rest and regain strength. 

At 8:33 p.m., Meghan welcomed her newborn daughter into the world. She later described the experience as “profound” and said she felt proud to have had “such an incredible outcome with such a great team of women.”

Zachary was also actively involved. He remained beside Meghan and the midwives, watching closely as their daughter was cared for and as Meghan recovered. His presence reflected the family-centered approach that defines midwifery care. 

At Ascension Sacred Heart, our certified nurse-midwives are dedicated to providing holistic, personalized maternity care for women in Pensacola and beyond. Learn more about Ascension Sacred Heart Midwives and explore Monogram Maternity and Lactation services to learn how we can support your journey, visit ascension.org/GulfCoastWomens.