SARASOTA, Fla. (July 17, 2025) – 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 starting prenatal care early a challenge for women here and across the nation.
To close the gaps in care, Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s newly created Pregnancy Care Team is reaching out to pregnant women and community partners to help them access prenatal and maternity care they need. Leading the team are three experienced labor and delivery/postpartum nurses who serve as OB navigators, providing free guidance and a broad range of services and support that women may need throughout their pregnancy.
“We recognize the challenges that many families face during pregnancy, particularly those experiencing high-risk conditions,” said Abby Olsen, director of Women and Children’s Services at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. “Our Pregnancy Care Team and OB Nurse Navigators are here to support parents-to-be and provide the guidance and resources they need for a safe, healthy pregnancy.”
While Sarasota Memorial is serving as the backbone for essential care, the Pregnancy Care Team and OB navigators are working with the Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County, CenterPlace Health and other providers to increase access to essential care. The program also receives support, referrals and assistance from Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, First 1,000 Days Suncoast, Florida Blue Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and other not-for-profit community organizations working collaboratively to increase access to maternal-fetal care in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.
“We know it takes a village to raise a child, and this new service expands that village by connecting families with trusted and compassionate professionals to help them navigate their pregnancy and the beginning of their parenting journey,” said Chelsea Arnold, director of First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
Among other services, the Pregnancy Care Team provides:
- An OB Nurse Navigator to provide support throughout a woman’s pregnancy
- Help finding a prenatal care provider who is the right match to your pregnancy
- Access to prenatal education
- Lactation (breastfeeding) support and services
- Referrals for appointments and services
- Care coordination between healthcare providers
- Help accessing community and family resources
To reach the Pregnancy Care Team, call (941) 917-MOMS (6667) or visit the First 1000 Days Suncoast webpage at www.first1000dayssuncoast.org and click on the “Get Connected” tab.
Learn more about SMH’s Pregnancy Care Team and resources available in our community in the latest episode of SMH HealthCasts
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.