Just days after giving birth for the first time, new mom and Community of Hope patient, Shayla, gushes about her new arrival: “Everyone says you don’t know love until you meet your child—and it’s very true.”
On January 7, 2026, at 5:17PM, Shayla welcomed her daughter, Skyler, into the world.
Skyler’s birth makes her the first baby born this year at the Family Health and Birth Center, our nationally accredited birth center focused on serving pregnant parents and their babies.
Shayla first learned about the Family Health and Birth Center through her partner’s family. After recently securing health insurance, she was searching for a place where she and her baby would feel supported and cared for. When she heard about Community of Hope—and the option for a water birth—she knew it was the right fit. She had always hoped for a water birth, and when the day finally arrived, the experience met everything she had imagined. “The calmness, the environment, just being able to set everything in motion as far as our birth plan, having him catch her, cut the umbilical cord. Everybody was so respectful of our wishes,” she says.
Throughout her labor, Shayla was supported by Community of Hope’s midwives, including Taylor, Jasmine, and Bayyinah, who stayed close through every step of the experience. As labor progressed and Shayla’s body began to take the lead, one moment stood out to her more than the rest— the encouragement she received from the team.
“They kept telling me, ‘Trust your body,’” she said. “That was encouraging. It was amazing just to be able to say, ‘Okay, this is just what my body is supposed to do.’”
Becoming a parent has already shifted Shayla’s perspective. Before Skyler arrived, she was focused on what came next—career goals, future plans, and always thinking ahead. Now, she’s reminded to slow down and take in the moment. “It’s almost indescribable,” she said. “This season is about enjoying maternity leave, spending time with my family, and showing her love.”
Long before this moment, Skyler’s name had already found its way into Shayla’s heart. She remembers meeting a girl years ago and thinking, “That’s such a beautiful name. I’m going to name my child Skyler one day.” What once felt like a passing thought became a lived reality— beginning a new year, a new role, and a new chapter filled with love for Shayla, Skyler and their family.
