Florida hospital pushes natural birth

C-section rates are skyrocketing - and so are the costs for delivering a baby.

Now one South Florida hospital is hoping a spa atmosphere might coax women into taking a more natural approach.

The lights are dimmed in this special labor and delivery room… there is soothing music and pictures…  flameless candles next to signs with encouraging messages. The new natural birthing suite at Memorial Hospital Miramar was conceived by two nurses. 

“We can give them all the support that they need so that if they have the courage and if they have the will to try to have birth unmedicated that we are here for them,“ said Luisa Shulruff, a registered nurse.

“In this fast-paced world that we have today where everything has to be timed and programed, I think we are losing that allowing nature to take its course,“ Sandra Droira said, also a registered nurse.

While a growing number of expectant moms are scheduling c-sections, labor inductions, and epidurals… Eliza Pearo has signed up to give birth here without any medications.

“I understand that it’s going to be painful but I think it’s natural and I’m ready to deal with it,“ she said.

“It offers the patient the ability to deliver in a natural, calm ambiance ... but also have the backup of the hospital and all of the equipment and the technology and the expertise that the hospital has to intervene if there’s an emergency situation,“ Dr. Eric Feeling, the Medical Affairs Director at Memorial Hospital Miramar, said. 

Operating rooms are just down the hall.  So is a level two neonatal intensive care unit.  But Eliza is hoping none of this will be necessary when she gives birth to Naya.

“I believe in my body and I believe having a child is a natural process and when possible you shouldn’t interfere with nature,“ she said.