The Treasure Coast is experiencing a sharp increase in births, placing unprecedented demand on local maternity services. In Port St. Lucie, obstetrician Dr. Laura McCurdy from Women’s Health Specialists says she now receives calls “almost daily” from expecting mothers — many already well into their pregnancies — looking for care.
This demand has intensified since Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital closed its labor and delivery unit, forcing more patients to seek care at other facilities, including Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital.
To meet these needs, HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is finalizing construction on two additional floors, one of which will be fully dedicated to labor and delivery. Hospital CEO Corey Lovelace explained that the project addresses not just the increase in births but also the complexity of cases requiring specialized support, such as neonatal intensive care.
The numbers show just how drastic the rise has been: in August 2025, the hospital reported 140 births, compared to only 26 during the same month in 2024.
The expansion will add 25 new labor and delivery beds, with 10 specifically designated for a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Plans are also in place to add Level III NICU beds in the near future.
According to Samantha Suffich, CEO of Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, this growth is both “timely and proactive,” providing relief for an already stretched regional healthcare system.
Dr. McCurdy added that the project will help prenatal care as well, easing capacity issues and reducing the need for emergency transfers. Women’s Health Specialists has already shifted all deliveries to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, citing the benefit of having a NICU on-site to minimize the transfer of premature infants.
Hospital leaders expect the new maternity unit to open between December 2025 and January 2026.