Updated on Apr. 16, 2025
When Abigail and Ryan Sheckler were looking for the perfect place to welcome their children into the world, they knew they needed somewhere that was safe for mom and baby and felt inviting and compassionate. As a former postpartum nurse, Abigail understood the value of assessing potential delivery risks, even though she wasn’t considered a high-risk pregnancy. In case the need should arise, where she or her baby would need a higher level of care, she wanted to deliver at a place that had a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a reputation for safety. The Women's Hospital at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center felt like the ideal choice for their growing family.
Ensuring Moms Have Choices in Their Delivery Experience
When a mom chooses to deliver at The Women’s Hospital, she will have a personal maternity concierge to coordinate with all specialized teams and answer any questions, including insurance and billing. The maternity concierge provides individualized support to expectant mothers, helping them navigate their journey and connecting them with the right resources. This personal touch empowers patients, providing comfort and control in their pregnancy journey. Saddleback Medical Center is the only hospital in the region to offer a personal maternity concierge for every pregnant patient, ensuring hands-on, compassionate care for all.
The Women's Hospital provides care during labor and delivery and offers various resources including complimentary childbirth education classes for expectant mothers who will deliver at The Women’s Hospital. These classes are led by nurses from the hospital, allowing women to meet their future care team.
Saddleback Medical Center also offers guided labor and delivery floor tours so moms-to-be can see the Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum (LDRP) suites and the exceptional amenities offered for the birthing experience. This comprehensive approach helps prepare women for their journey into motherhood.
Unparalleled Access to Leading Maternity Care
This unwavering commitment to quality care reassured Abigail that she would receive the best possible support during her deliveries. Her experience was further enhanced by the compassionate care team, which worked tirelessly to ensure her comfort and safety. Abigail appreciated the comprehensive resources available and the attention to detail that made her experience at Saddleback Medical Center truly exceptional.
“I would hear from other nursing colleagues, who have worked at Saddleback Medical Center and other locations praise the exceptional care that The Women’s Hospital provides to patients. From the moment we arrived, Ryan and I were greeted with warm smiles and reassurance, which helped calm our nerves.”
- Abigail Sheckler
Abigail valued that the care team treated her as a patient, not just a nurse, respecting her medical background while providing necessary education. Abigail also valued the inclusion of her husband in the discussions and decision-making processes.
During her first delivery, Abigail opted for minimal medication but wanted an epidural. The team respected her wishes and kept her involved in the process. Despite her daughter experiencing fetal deceleration, when the fetal heart rate temporarily slows, the care team that was in the delivery room acted quickly and seamlessly to alert the NICU team to come to her room immediately to care for her daughter.
“For what was a scary moment during the delivery process, the care team was extremely reassuring and worked so well together that there was never a moment that Ryan and I didn’t feel cared for,” says Abigail. “The way that they were so efficient in getting our daughter the care she needed was incredible. Because of their fast action, our daughter didn’t have to go into the NICU and after delivery we were able to go home quickly – which is what I had asked them for when I first arrived.”
Exceptional Care and Unwavering Commitment at The Women's Hospital
From board-certified obstetricians to specialized nurses, every member of the team at The Women’s Hospital is dedicated to advancing women's health for patients such as Abigail. The Women’s Hospital offers dedicated, specialized care for maternity patients through the Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB ED), which provides care to obstetrical patients over 12 weeks pregnant and up to six weeks postpartum. If a mom is admitted to the OB ED, they will be cared for by specialized OB ED nurses and a board-certified OBGYN, also known as an OB hospitalist. If the OB hospitalist determines you should remain in the hospital for further care or observation, the OB ED team will coordinate the patient’s care, ensuring mom and baby are healthy and safe.
The Women’s Hospital has implemented initiatives to reduce infection rates and support vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), empowering women with safe, evidence-based childbirth options. Additionally, Saddleback Medical Center maintains a 23.2% cesarean birth rate for first-time, low-risk mothers, which is lower than national and state targets, as well as many local hospitals.
“The Women’s Hospital’s success relies heavily on the commitment our clinical experts have to best-practices that are driven by research and outcomes that show we have the competitive edge over other Orange County hospitals that have maternity units,” says Christine Huff, director, The Women’s Hospital, Saddleback Medical Center. “Our team is not afraid to challenge and push ourselves to be the best to deliver the quality and clinical outcomes our community deserves and should expect.”
Seamless Care the Second Time Around
Building on the reassurance and exceptional support she received during her first delivery, Abigail felt confident going into her second pregnancy. However, fate had other plans, and she had to be induced. Even though she was initially disappointed about the change in her birthing plan, the nurses at The Women's Hospital were extremely understanding and supportive, inviting feedback and respecting her decisions, resulting in a perfect delivery.
“Like any mom, I had gone into my second pregnancy with a birthing plan of how I wanted the delivery to go,” says Abigail. “Despite my initial disappointment about being induced during my second pregnancy, the nurses were incredibly supportive and respected my decisions, resulting in a smooth labor.”
While we strive for perfect pregnancies, there may be times when the baby is born early or has medical needs that require extra attention. Fortunately, Saddleback Medical Center has an on-site level III Irma Feldcamp Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which includes a team of board-certified neonatologists, pediatric subspecialists, specialized neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and lactation consultants to provide comprehensive family-centered care.
"It was reassuring to know and see all the dedicated care for both mom and baby available at Saddleback Medical Center. If the situation had arrived, I was relieved to learn how much high-quality care is available for my baby."
- Abigail
Comforting Amenities in a Serene Environment
Abigail appreciated the spacious Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum (LDRP) suites and their amenities, which made her feel comfortable and in control during both deliveries. The spacious private LDRP suites are designed with a spa-like environment in mind, for women to feel at home. Each LDRP suite has large windows for soft natural lighting, Bluetooth speakers, and comforting amenities, such as lavender scented towels, fresh baked cookies, and a celebratory brunch. Six of the LDRP suites offer soaking tubs for those wanting a more natural laboring experience. Other birthing resources include peanut balls and rocking chairs to encourage mobility during labor.
“My room was so relaxing, and made it feel less clinical and more inviting and welcoming,” says Abigail. “The whole experience, for both deliveries, felt seamless.”
A Legacy of Compassion and Dedication Shown in Every Interaction
The exceptional postpartum care further enhanced Abigail’s experience. With nurses offering to take the load off Abigail for caring for her children and allowing her to rest and providing her education and lactation support.
"A nurse would enter the room and observe that I was attending to our daughter. She would then offer to assist by taking my daughter and helping with changing her or soothing her so that I could rest," says Abigail. "Having previously been a nurse and accustomed to caring for others, the nurses provided perspective when they offered assistance. They advised me to take advantage of the opportunity to rest while receiving support from the hospital before returning home. It was extremely comforting and reassuring to know that the care team was available for me and my family."
Every interaction with the care team was kind and encouraging, making Abigail feel cared for. The Women’s Hospital’s continued check-ins after discharge provided valuable support and resources.
“It’s easy to think, having been a nurse, that I knew exactly what to do,” says Abigail. “But when the care team would reach out, even to provide lactation support, they taught me new tools and techniques to help with breastfeeding.”
The compassionate care that Abigail received from her care team at The Women’s Hospital, truly enriched her experience. The Women's Hospital at Saddleback Medical Center fosters a legacy of care and compassion, creating a culture where care team members cherish their roles and build long-lasting careers. The dedication and longevity of the nurses at The Women’s Hospital reflect an environment where professionals feel valued and committed to providing exceptional care, making it a place where individuals truly love to work.
The Women's Hospital strongly emphasizes individualized support, ensuring that each patient receives one-on-one attention. The nurses at The Women’s Hospital are extensively trained to work cohesively with the whole care team to create a seamless experience for patients.
Continued Support Post Delivery & Beyond
The education provided by The Women's Hospital extends to its Mommy & Me Postpartum Support Classes offered by the Mommy Center. Funded by the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, these weekly series of five 75-minute classes offer support for moms with babies 0 to 3 months or moms with babies 4 to 6 months. The classes are led by qualified professionals, including licensed occupational therapists, physical therapists, marriage and family therapists, and infant specialists. A wide range of age-tailored topics are covered in small group settings – up to 12 moms – so those in the same stage of motherhood can connect. The Mommy & Me Postpartum Support Classes are available exclusively to mom’s who deliver at The Women's Hospital at Saddleback Medical Center.
Grateful for a Positive Outcome
As Abigail reflected on her experience, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for the care she received. From the warm welcome at the hospital entrance to the attentive support during labor and delivery, every aspect of Abigail's journey was handled with professionalism and compassion.
"The nurses and extended clinical team truly cared about me as a person, not just as a patient. It's something I'll always remember, and if I were to have another child, I would return to Saddleback Medical Center."
- Abigail
Abigail’s experience at The Women’s Hospital at Saddleback Medical Center was distinguished by both evidence-based and compassionate care. If you’re deciding where to deliver your baby, The Women’s Hospital offers the comprehensive support and resources necessary for a positive birthing experience.
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