Christine Coney

Birth Designer/Clinical Program Coordinator
The Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

In seventh grade, Christine Coney had an amazing science teacher who got her interested in biology and human reproduction. From that point, Christine knew her future was going to be in obstetrics. She went on to earn a BS in biology at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island with an eye toward attending medical school, but instead went to the University of South Florida to study nursing, which she felt was her real calling.

After USF, Christine returned to Connecticut to work first as a nurse and then as a travel nurse. But she and her husband—who had previously lived in Sarasota—weren’t fans of winter, so they returned to Florida in 2017, when she joined the team at The Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. 

“I love Lakewood Ranch. Most of it wasn’t here the last time I lived here [when studying at USF], but I simply love the area. I can’t imagine working anyplace else,” she says. “I just had the opportunity to participate in Leadership Sarasota. I learned so much about the community that I wasn’t aware of.”

In 2019, Christine became The Women’s Center’s first Birth Designer. The goal of that newly created position is to work one-on-one with clients—often first-time parents—and help them prepare an individualized birth plan. “I explain all the different things that a patient can request during labor. Birthing balls. Music. Aromatherapy. Different types of pain medication. It’s not just about epidurals anymore!” She also coordinates monthly prenatal classes and handles staff education.

In short, The Women’s Center offers a tailor-made, concierge-style approach to patient care in a facility that just had a $3 million renovation to make it more serene and spa-like. The hospital has 120 total beds, but within The Women’s Center, they have 14 LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum) rooms. And unlike in most hospitals, once a patient is admitted to a room, they stay in that room. After all, who wants to move to another room after the baby’s born?

“Families have a lot of options here,” Christine adds. “They’re empowered to choose the way they want to deliver their baby. We give them educational support prior to coming into the hospital through prenatal classes and through the birth design program. Then they’ll have one-on-on support during labor, and if they want a doula, we welcome that, too. After the baby’s born, we continue to offer support, whether that’s with breastfeeding or bottle feeding.”

In addition to being an RNC (a registered nurse who is certified in electronic fetal monitoring), Christine is a CLC (a certified lactation consultant) as well. “I’m very passionate about helping mothers with breastfeeding. Seeing the look on their faces when their baby is finally able to latch and feed well—I mean, that’s just the best feeling because I know how important it is for them.”

Christine gives a special number to all her breastfeeding moms. She’s available 24/7 for them. “That’s how passionate I am to be there for them.”

COVID-19 has made things a little tough for clients since visitor limitations were a must. But because every labor room is on the first floor and has a large window that’s accessible from the outside, a lot of families had visitors come to the window and meet the baby that way. 

Even before COVID-19, most patients were nervous, but after working step-by-step with Christine, they always felt better. “They tell me they’re ready to go and they’re excited. They can’t wait to come back in. It really makes me feel good about what I do.”

Chrissy Coney, RNC, BSN, CLC

Birth Designer/Clinical Program Coordinator
The Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(941) 782-2229
lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com