The Birth Place at Duke Regional Hospital

High-Tech and Low-Tech Options
As a community hospital, we offer both high-tech and low-tech care options. Because we work primarily with women who expect to have routine deliveries, we offer you the opportunity to have a birthing experience with fewer interventions and procedures and more amenities. We help you be as comfortable as possible during your labor. We do everything we can to ensure you have your baby in a comfortable, safe, and supportive environment.

Comfortable Labor and Delivery Suites
Our comfortable delivery suites are designed to make you feel as much like you are at home as possible in a hospital setting. Four of our eight birthing suites have whirlpool baths, for hydrotherapy and relaxation and to help you manage your labor pain.

Take a Video Tour of the Duke Birth Place

More Freedom of Movement During Labor
Our lightweight, cordless fetal monitors give you more freedom of movement and flexibility to find a comfortable position during your labor.

Pain Management Options

In addition to your obstetrician, our anesthesiologists are always in the hospital and available. We offer IV medicine and epidural, as well as other options such as birthing and peanut balls, birthing stools, and pushing bars to help you be as comfortable as possible during your labor.

Midwives Available 24/7
Our certified nurse midwives are available 24/7 to support you during normal labor, birth, and postpartum recovery.

Dedicated Operating Rooms for C-Sections

We have two dedicated ORs for deliveries by Cesarean section. We may be able to make small changes to the procedure to allow you and your partner to be part of the process through what some call a “gentle C-section.”

Your Postpartum Recovery
Once your baby arrives, we help you start that bonding process right away by having you room in with your baby. All healthy babies stay with their healthy moms in one of our 36 private postpartum recovery rooms as part of our family-centered care. We highly value our family interactions and encourage parental participation in all aspects of care, including daily rounds and other activities such as feeding and reading books. A nurse will help you ease your transition from hospital to home.

Breastfeeding Support
Our lactation consultants give you the support you need to begin breastfeeding within one hour of your newborn's birth and continue after you leave the hospital.

Immediate Access to Specialized Care
If your baby is delivered at less than 32 weeks gestation or requires surgery or a higher level of care, he or she will immediately be transported to the Level IV nursery at Duke University Hospital. There, board-certified neonatologists will ensure your baby gets the best possible care as quickly as possible.

Postpartum Support
Our clinical social workers specialize in postpartum depression. They are available to help you and your family locate community resources and adapt to the many changes that accompany the arrival of a newborn.

Strict Infant Security System
We enforce strict infant security measures to protect your baby from unlikely harmful events, including abduction.

Newborn Care

Special Care Nursery
Our 18-bed, special care nursery provides care for about 400 infants every year who are born prematurely as well as babies born with common neonatal conditions such as breathing problems or suspected infections. We also care for infants who may be transferred from the Duke Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or other hospitals.

Your newborn will be cared for by dedicated, highly trained nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatologists. We focus on the developmental aspects of care such as proper positioning and calming strategies. Nutritionists monitor the growth of your infant, and a team of feeding specialists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists are available when needed.

Learn more about how the staff at Duke Regional's Special Care Nursery care for your child.

Transfer to a Higher Level of Care When Necessary

If your baby is delivered at less than 32 weeks gestation or requires surgery or a higher level of care, he or she will immediately be transported to the Level IV nursery at Duke University Hospital. There, board-certified neonatologists will ensure your baby gets the best possible care as quickly as possible.