Overview
You’ve just learned you’re pregnant. Whether this is your first or fourth pregnancy, you may wonder what to expect along this journey. You may rest easier knowing personalized care and support are available every step of the way.
Cleveland Clinic in Florida’s expert healthcare providers are committed to helping you have the best possible pregnancy, labor and delivery experience. You’ll get patient-centered care starting with your first prenatal appointment until well after you head home after birth.
- Skilled collaborative providers: Our caring and skilled OB/GYN doctors work alongside nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives to care for thousands of mothers and babies each year. This team approach has created very low cesarean section rates at our hospitals.
- Personalized care: Each pregnancy has a different timeline and needs. That’s why we strive to give you the birth experience you envision. We're here for you, whether you choose to use medication or not or have a cesarean or vaginal birth. After delivery, we'll offer nutrition, breastfeeding and self-care support at your home.
- Comfort and convenience: We believe in providing a calming environment when it’s time to give birth. Your private, spacious labor-and-delivery room has a bathroom — and possibly a labor tub. After birth, we keep your baby close to you at your bedside and offer breastfeeding coaching to help you bond during feedings.
- Specialized knowledge: Our world-renowned healthcare providers have extensive expertise in treating high-risk pregnancies. We have the care you need, whether you're managing high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triples, etc.) or uncover fetal health problems. And if your baby needs extra support at birth, our neonatal intensive care unit is ready for them.
Our Certifications and Accreditations
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital
- The Joint Commission Perinatal Care Certification.
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction® in Maternity Care.
Mother Baby Home Care Program
- The Joint Commission Home Care Accreditation.
What Patient-Centered Care Means for You
No two pregnancies are the same. So, your care shouldn’t be the same as someone else’s. We make sure to personalize your experience to your needs and goals. Our team approach has you covered with:
- Prenatal appointments with our clinic-based team.
- Prenatal testing.
- Labor and delivery with our 24/7 hospital-based team
- Postpartum (fourth trimester) care, including home visits after you leave the hospital.
You'll get pregnancy care at your local Cleveland Clinic. And when it’s time to deliver, you will go to one of our birthing hospitals:
- Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
Hospitals & Tours
Cleveland Clinic in Florida is your partner during your entire pregnancy journey. Your comfort during labor, delivery and recovery is top of mind at both of our birthing hospitals. We offer:
- Family-centered environment.
- Personalized birth plans.
- Modern, comfortable private labor and delivery rooms with a bathroom.
- Staff obstetricians and midwives available 24/7.
- Highly skilled labor and delivery nurses.
- Doula support.
- High-risk pregnancy and newborn specialists.
- Specially equipped operating rooms for cesarean births.
- Secure labor, delivery and postpartum units.
- Postpartum homecare program.
Cleveland Clinic Tradition hospital offers special care nurseries and Level II NICU services. Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital offers Level 1 nursery services.
Birthing Hospitals Tours
You and your family are welcome to tour any of our birthing hospitals.
- Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital: Tours are every first and third Wednesday at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. To register, call 772-223-5945, ext. 16687.
- Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital: Tours are every fourth Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. We invite you to stay for a meet-and-greet with hospital-based OBs from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. To register, 772-567-4311, ext. 6114.
Our Maternity Services
Our office based and hospital based provider teams makes it easier for you to focus on your pregnancy. You don’t have to worry about rescheduled appointments because your regular obstetric provider isn’t available. And you won’t have to wait for them to get to the delivery room.
Instead, you’ll be continuously surrounded by specialists committed to making sure you have a healthy pregnancy and birth experience. We offer care for all types of pregnancies and births at both hospitals.
Personalized Birth Experience
During pregnancy, you’ll see our clinic-based obstetricians, midwives, or nurse practitioners (OBs). When you go into labor, you’ll work with our hospital-based OBs. Whether you see our certified nurse-midwives or board-certified obstetricians, you’ll get family-centered, supportive pregnancy care. Our clinic-based prenatal team will make sure you get the care and tests you need. And they’ll help you build a personalized birth plan that focuses on what you want to experience.
When it comes time to give birth, our hospital-based OBs work alongside our midwives, doulas and experienced labor and delivery nurses. We try to follow your birth plan as closely as possible. And we keep a close eye on your vital signs and labor progress using the latest equipment.
High-Risk Pregnancy Care
If you’re facing a high-risk pregnancy or delivery, you’ve come to the right place. Cleveland Clinic Florida gives you access to expert healthcare providers who use the latest tools and technology to manage underlying medical conditions and other high-risk complications like:
- High blood pressure
- Pregnancy over age 35
- Gestational or pregestational diabetes
- Expecting twins, triplets or more
- Fetal health conditions
- Possible delivery complications
This skilled team will work closely with your obstetrician to provide the best possible pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Maternal-fetal medicine
Any pregnancy can come with stress and all sorts of emotions. When you learn you have a high-risk pregnancy, those feelings can move into overdrive. You may find yourself worrying whether everything will be OK. Cleveland Clinic Florida’s maternal-fetal medicine team has the experience and resources to help you through a high-risk pregnancy.
Learn more about our maternal-fetal (high-risk) medicine services.
Midwives and doulas
Midwives and doulas work closely with our doctors and nurses to ensure you get compassionate care that meets your needs, bringing a sense of mutual respect and companionship to your experience. This patient-centered approach often helps us reduce the likelihood of cesarean (surgical) births.
Cesarean surgical suites
If you’re having a planned or emergency cesarean birth (C-section), our experienced hospital-based obstetricians are here for you. You’ll have surgery in a dedicated C-section suite. And after your baby arrives, you’ll move to one of our private postpartum rooms. Here, you and your baby have time to recover and bond in a peaceful environment.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Some newborns may need extra support after birth. Cleveland Clinic Florida has the specialists and technology to help. If an emergency arises, our facilities offer life-saving intensive care services to the most vulnerable patients.
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital has Level II NICUs. Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital has a Level I nursery to care for healthy, full-term babies. The providers here can also stabilize babies with serious medical conditions before transferring them to one of our Level II hospitals.
Level II NICUs treat babies born at or after 30 weeks (about 7 months) who weigh more than 1,250 grams (2.75 pounds) and need complex medical treatment. Our team will care for your baby 24 hours a day, keeping you constantly updated about your little one's progress.
All three maternity units work together. So, if your baby needs to move to a Level II NICU, we use our own pediatric emergency vehicle for the transfer.
Learn more about our neonatal intensive care units.
Other Healthcare Services
We also provide comprehensive health services for women, like:
Support After Birth
Our team will help you build the confidence and skills needed for your parenting journey while you're in the hospital. We'll focus on growing the special bond between you and your new baby by keeping them by your bedside during the first hours and days after birth. We can also help you navigate breastfeeding and how to care for yourself and your baby at home.
Breastfeeding Support
Our board-certified lactation consultants are part of your maternity care team. If you plan to breastfeed, our team will help you get started before you leave the hospital. When you go home, feel free to contact your lactation consultant to get answers to your questions. Our team will guide and answer questions like:
- How often should I feed my baby?
- What happens when my baby has a growth spurt?
- How can I breastfeed when I return to work?
Your lactation consultant is available to you by phone or in person by appointment:
- Tradition Hospital: 223.5945, ext. 11665
- Indian River Hospital: 772.567.4311, ext. 1277
Home Care in the Fourth Trimester
Our team considers the first three months after birth as the “fourth trimester.” And it’s a time when you may feel different emotions when you and your baby go home.
New parents often need extra support once they’ve left the hospital. So, we’ve designed a home care program that extends the care you and your newborn received during your stay with us.
New parents in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie Counties can enroll in our complimentary Mother Baby Home Care Program. A Cleveland Clinic Florida registered nurse will visit you to see how you and your baby are doing. They’ll also spend time talking with you about important things to know, like:
- Self-care.
- Nutrition.
- Breastfeeding.
- Postpartum depression.
- Post-birth warning signs.
- Baby care and feeding.
- Safe sleeping practices.
- Home safety and childproofing.
You’ll also get an education packet with more information about available community resources.
For information on our Mother Baby Home Care Program call:
- Indian River County: 772.563.5470
- Martin and St. Lucie counties: 772.223.5924
The Fourth Trimester Mother Baby Home Visitation Program is funded by Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County. The Children’s Services Council is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in St. Lucie County.
CSC St Lucie County (SLC)
https://www.cscslc.org
Childbirth & Parenting Classes
Looking for childbirth and parenting classes? Cleveland Clinic in Florida partners with the Healthy Start Coalition of Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties to offer no-cost programs. Classes vary by location, but may include:
- Preparation for Labor and Delivery (On-site and online e-Class options)
- Breastfeeding (On-site and online e-Class options)
- Infant CPR
- Understanding Infant & Child Safety Class (Online e-Class)
To register to become a Healthy Start participant in your county:
- Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.: 772.563.9118
- Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.: 772.463.2888
- Healthy Start Coalition of St. Lucie County, Inc.: 772.467.2016
You can register for our childbirth classes at the beginning of your seventh month in the county where you live:
- Indian River County residents.: 772.563.9118
- Martin County residents: 772-223-5945, ext.16453
- Lucie County residents: 772-223-5945, ext.16687
When you call, please ask to speak with our Administrative Program Coordinator. They’ll share our class offerings and schedule classes to meet your needs.
Once you sign up, you’ll get a confirmation email with your class date(s) and time(s). If you must cancel your class registration, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice.
Helpful Information
Looking for more information about pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum life? Want to talk with others about breastfeeding or being a new parent? Cleveland Clinic Florida has what you need.
Support Groups
We offer several support groups for new parents:
Baby Café for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Relax and join us for coffee, support and information from a lactation consultant/RN and other moms in a casual atmosphere. We meet every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:230 p.m. All are welcome — and no appointments are needed.
Where:
Blake Library Martin County Library System
2351 SE Monterrey Road
2nd Floor Exploration Lab
Stuart, FL 34996
For more information or questions contact Melissa Micheletti at 772.223.5945 ext. 11665 or email MichelM3@ccf.org.
Village of Support at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
This support group for those expecting or who have given birth allows you to share your experiences, learn from others and find ways to support each other through pregnancy and parenthood. Little ones and support people are welcome, too.
Register for the group online. For more information, call Genevieve Mallen at 772-268-7419 or email malleng@ccf.org.
Father and Child Resource Center
Father and Child Resource Center provides extensive information and resources to all new dads so they can be the best fathers possible. For more information, call:
- Indian River County: 772.563.5470.
- Martin and St. Lucie counties: 772.463.2888.
Healthy Start Coalition
Healthy Start Coalition of Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties provides doula services for interested patients who apply.
Because services may vary by county, please contact your county's Healthy Start Coalition for information:
- Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. - 772.563.9118
- Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. - 772.463.2888
- Healthy Start Coalition of St. Lucie County, Inc. - 772.577.7788
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
Want more information about pregnancy and childbirth from Cleveland Clinic? Our Health Essentials blogs, eNewsletters and podcasts keep you in the know. Learn the latest about all things health-related, including pregnancy, childbirth and parenting information.
You may want to spend time reading posts from our pregnancy experts on Health Essentials. Or get the latest information on kids’ health and wellness delivered straight to your inbox with our Health Essentials Newsletter for Parents.
If listening is more your speed, we also have a great Health Essentials Podcast. Check out What is a Midwife and Why Might a Woman Want to See One? with Jessica Costa, CNM.
Appointments & Locations
Appointments
Make an appointment at one of our Cleveland Clinic in Florida locations, or schedule a virtual visit.
Locations
Indian River Maternity Unit Renovation
In the fall of 2024, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital launched a major, year-long renovation of its Labor and Delivery and Mother Baby Units.
Designed to create a comforting and memorable experience for mother and baby, the expanded units will include:
- Five labor and delivery rooms
- Three triage beds
- A Cesarean section (C-section) surgical suite
Fifteen contemporary mother-baby rooms will enhance the unit’s commitment to family-centered care with ample space for the birthing experience, welcoming family and visitors, and accommodating multiple births.
