When Angelica arrived at her last prenatal appointment, she expected a routine checkup. Instead, doctors detected pre-eclampsia — a pregnancy-related condition that causes high blood pressure. Angelica’s plan changed in an instant.
Following recommendations from every mom she knew, Angelica chose St. Elizabeth Family Birth Place in Edgewood, Ky. The birthing center features 33 private labor and delivery suites designed for comfort. Doctors induced her labor, and within a few hours, Angelica’s son Parker was born.
Angelica anticipated the overwhelming joy of holding her baby boy for the first time.
“I am a first-time mom — I had never experienced anything like this before,” she said. “You can prepare as much as you want, but once you go through childbirth, it’s life-changing.”
From the moment Parker arrived, Angelica felt supported.
“The doctors and nurses were incredible, and the swaddles were next level,” she says with a laugh.
Expert Guidance Every Step of the Way
As labor began, Angelica felt the uncertainty that comes with being a first-time mom.
“You just don’t know what anything’s going to feel like,” she says. “You don’t know what the pain level actually will be.”
But with every contraction, her care team offered reassurance and helped her relax.
“The doctors and nurses walked me through every step,” she says. “They explained what to expect and how I might feel. That support made all the difference and made the experience unforgettable.”
Even in the most intense moments, Angelica felt secure.
“Delivering babies is an everyday occurrence for them. I could tell nothing surprised them,” she said. “I knew I was in good hands.”
Compassionate Care When It Mattered Most
That expertise became even more critical when Parker’s newborn screenings showed potential concerns. These early exams check for hearing loss, blood disorders and other conditions within the first 24 hours of life.
Parker’s first two blood glucose tests returned abnormal results, raising concerns about low blood sugar—a condition that can require immediate medical intervention.
“The nurses said that if he didn’t pass his third blood glucose test, they’d have to take him to the neonatal intensive care unit,” Angelica says. “I was really anxious. Parker wouldn’t stop crying and I was struggling to breastfeed. I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing.” But her team helped.
Thankfully, Parker’s third test was normal. With that reassurance, the nurses focused on making those first hours as comforting as possible for both mom and baby. They gave Parker a warm bath, swaddled him in a cozy blanket and soothed him with a pacifier.
“We love supporting new moms and their babies, especially when things feel overwhelming,” said Ashley, a postpartum nurse who cared for Angelica and Parker. “We always tell them, ‘Let us help. We have the knowledge and resources to support you every step of the way.’”
Their care brought Angelica peace of mind, too.
“It was such a huge relief to know Parker was OK,” she said. “I could finally relax and rest for a little while.”
Support That Extends Beyond the Delivery Room
Angelica was understandably nervous when she left the hospital with Parker. But she knew her care team at the Family Birth Place was just a phone call away.
“It eased my stress level a lot to know I could reach out to the nurses at any time,” she says. “I could have called them on the drive home if I wanted.”
At St. Elizabeth Family Birth Place, support for new moms doesn’t end at discharge. Through the Beyond Delivery program, St. Elizabeth mother-baby registered nurses and lactation (breastfeeding) consultants provide free support and education before birth and during a baby’s first six months. They also help create a sense of community by connecting new parents.
With expert medical care, innovative technology and heartfelt compassion, the Family Birth Place ensures a positive, reassuring experience for new moms and their babies.
Take a virtual tour of the Family Birth Place or call (859) 301-2229 (BABY) for more information.
