Sarasota Memorial Mother Baby Unit

07/17/2025

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💙👶 The first trimester is a crucial time in a woman’s pregnancy, when obstetricians monitor fetal development, manage potential risks and help ensure a safe, healthy delivery. A shortage of obstetricians, however, is making accessing prenatal care early a challenge for women in our community and across the nation.

🙌 To help close the gaps in care, SMH created a Pregnancy Care Team that is helping women access the vital care they need throughout their pregnancy.

07/02/2025

🩺 With the school year fast approaching, be sure to schedule your child's annual physical!

💬 “An annual physical is one of the best things you can do for your child’s health and wellbeing,” says Jen Storch, executive director of ambulatory services for Sarasota Memorial.

It's an opportunity to check for changes, ensure good vision and hearing, clear your child for activities and have any questions answered.

06/25/2025

👶💙 A heartfelt thank you to the amazing mothers in our community!

In 2024, the SMH-Sarasota and SMH-Venice Milk Depots collected an incredible 15,290 ounces of breast milk—enough to help nourish thousands of premature and medically fragile babies across Florida. Donated milk is sent to the Mothers' Milk Bank of Florida for safe processing and distribution to NICUs statewide, including SMH!

While a mother’s own milk is always best for her baby, donor milk from carefully screened mothers offers the next best option for NICU babies when it's needed most.

06/18/2025

✨👶 Expecting? While you can’t predict exactly how labor will go, you can prepare. That’s where a birth plan comes in!

💬 SMH Childbirth Educator Janis Medford, RN, BSN, shares tips to help you build a birth plan that reflects your preferences—from pain relief options to newborn care—the more your labor and delivery team knows, the better they can support you!

Learn more about making a birth plan: https://www.smh.com/blog/making-a-birth-plan-a-guide-for-expectant-parents

06/15/2025

✨💙 This Father's Day is extra special for the Marple family. It's the first time Andrew Marple, MD, gets to celebrate with both of his twin daughters at home.

At just 25 weeks pregnant, both Danielle's health and the twins' health began to decline, she had to deliver them prematurely.

✨ Adriana was born weighing just 1 lb. 4 oz.
✨ Sophia, only 11 oz.

Sophia made it home in time for Andrew’s first Father’s Day last year, but Adriana needed nearly a year of NICU care before joining her sister. Now, the girls are reunited—healthy, catching up on all their milestones, and bringing so much joy to their family.

💙 To make this year even sweeter, the Marples announced that they're expecting a baby boy this fall!

06/04/2025

💙 In honor of Sarasota Memorial’s Centennial Anniversary, we’re reflecting on the medical miracle of modern childbirth — and how far we’ve come!

Once upon a time, childbirth looked very different; proper hygiene was nonexistent, and chainsaws (yes, really) were invented to help with difficult deliveries.

✨ Fast-forward to today: Sarasota Memorial’s Women & Children’s Services team is delivering peace of mind alongside your bundle of joy.
✅ State-of-the-art private birthing suites
✅ 24/7 obstetric emergency care & NICU support
✅ Custom birth plans & family-centered care
✅ Certified lactation and postpartum support
✅ Baby-Friendly Hospital designation since 2017, following best practices in maternity care

Childbirth is still a miracle — but now it’s a safe, supported, and empowering one: https://www.smh.com/blog/the-medical-miracle-of-modern-childbirth

05/28/2025

👶✨ Expecting? Come see where comfort meets expert care! SMH-Venice is now offering FREE monthly Birthing Suite Tours.

From private birthing suites and hydrotherapy tubs to custom birth plans and wireless fetal monitoring, we are dedicated to supporting your journey every step of the way, whether you are welcoming your first baby or your fifth!

👉 Reserve your spot today, and see where your special delivery begins! https://www.smhvenice.com/Home/Services/Pregnancy-Newborns/Childbirth-Education-Calendar

05/07/2025

💚 Last November, Dr. Sara Karjoo, a pediatric gastroenterologist with Sarasota Memorial, received a life-saving kidney transplant after bravely battling end-stage renal disease — thanks to the incredible generosity of Debra Pagan, RN, a NICU nurse at SMH.

Their story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of living donation. 🙌 Read more: https://www.smh.com/Home/News-Events/Release/physician-grateful-for-life-saving-kidney-transplant-and-her-smh-colleagues

04/30/2025

Between smartphones, tablets, and TVs, it's tough to imagine a world without screens. But for growing children, regular screen-free time is essential for healthy development.

💙 That’s why Sarasota Memorial and First 1000 Days Suncoast are proud to support Screen-Free Week (May 5-11)—a great reminder for families to unplug and reconnect!

🎨 Need ideas to make screen-free time a habit? Try these: https://www.smh.com/blog/the-importance-of-screen-free-activities-for-children

04/16/2025

80% of a person’s health is impacted by what happens outside of hospital walls? Mary O’Connor, MSN, RN, manager of Community Health at Sarasota Memorial, says that if you aren't able to meet the basic needs in your life, you won't be able to maintain a healthy body and mind.

This is why Sarasota Memorial has been going the extra mile to help address patients' post-discharge needs with a new screening process to connect patients to community resources. Because maintaining good health doesn’t start—or end—at the hospital.

Learn more about how SMH is treating the whole patient: https://www.smh.com/blog/treating-the-whole-person

04/08/2025

👶✨ Team SMH-Venice had the pleasure of attending the annual North Port Community Baby Shower over the weekend!

🤱 Attendees discovered what to expect when delivering at SMH-Venice and learned about the ongoing support provided at the hospital, even after they leave!

Learn about having your baby at SMH-Venice, https://www.smhvenice.com/Home/Services/Maternity-Services

04/02/2025

In this video, First Physicians Group pediatrician Ronald Laracuente, MD, discusses how families can work with their pediatrician to gain a better understanding of their child's developmental milestones and possible difficulties to look out for with premature babies.