First-time Mom Experiences Joy and Comfort at The Family Birth Center
November 15, 2023
Health NewsCompassionate care makes memorable experience for new family
Being a first-time mom can mean you have a lot of questions about what to expect when you deliver. Luckily, Serenity Cortez was as prepared as she could be prior to delivering her first born at Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center (SMC).

“My primary care provider is at Northern Nevada Medical Group, and I always felt very heard by them during our appointments,” she said. “So, once I found out that I could deliver at SMC, I felt that I would be well cared for during birth.”
Knowing what to expect while expecting
Although Serenity was familiar with providers at Northern Nevada Health System (NNHS), she still had questions about The Family Birth Center and wanted to get a better idea of what to expect when it came time to deliver.
“My OBGYN told me about the tours you are able to take of The Family Birth Center, and I decided that would be a great way to get familiar with the facility ahead of time,” she said. “The staff that I encountered during the tour were great and made me feel comfortable with choosing SMC as my delivery hospital.”
Labor and Delivery at Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center →
Supportive and reassuring staff during labor
While in labor, Serenity had to undergo a C-section due to her baby’s increasing heart rate but found that she was reassured by the staff that were by her side during the birth.
After a successful C-section, Serenity’s son, Caleb Dominic, was born healthy and happy on September 14, 2023 at 5:32 p.m.
“All of the nurses were great and so helpful and helped me feel at ease during a hectic time,” she said. “I didn’t feel judged as a first-time mom with questions and the whole team was amazing all around.”
Although Serenity felt that all of the nurses were great during her birth, she especially remembers the comfort that nurses Erin and Lauren brought during her visit.
“I spent a lot of time with Erin and Lauren, and they made me feel at ease and really made a difference during my journey,” she said. “I had never been in a medical setting where every staff member I encountered was nice and helpful.”
Comfortable in her private room
Another highlight that Serenity loved was the space her private room was able to offer her and her family after birth. The Family Birth Center at Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center offers expecting parents 100-percent private and spacious maternity suites, along with a concierge list of comfort items during their stay.
“I loved that the rooms were big enough that I was able to keep my baby by my side,” she said. “I loved the ease of mind it offered me that I could see Caleb at all times.”
A staff of calm and caring professionals can make all the difference for patients like Serenity, and those at The Family Birth Center were there to support and guide her through a monumental moment in her family’s journey.