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A PEEK INTO DUKE BIRTHING CENTER IN DURHAM, NC

mom-to-be are holding her belly and looking down at photography studio near Duke Birthing Center

Congratulations! You are soon to be a mom; I am sure you have all figured out, from the nursing room to your newborn first photoshoot. But there is one crucial decision you must make before your little one arrives, and it also has a lot to do with you, and that’s choosing your birthing center and having a birth plan. Knowing the birthing center location, services, staff, and capabilities for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care is important because it will give you peace of mind to know how capable they are of taking care of you and your newborn. 

mom-to-be in white lace dress is holding her belly and looking down

Benefits of Duke Birthing Center

Suppose you are still in the first months of pregnancy and looking for the ideal place to give birth in Durham, NC. In that case, it’s your lucky day because today we are going to talk about the Duke birthing center, an OB expert hospital known for delivering over 3 thousand babies each year and also for being experts in providing a tailored experience for families. The 2021 U.S. News & world report recognized Duke University Hospital as the best North Carolina hospital for maternity care, and I am about to tell you why. 

pregnant women is sitting on the sofa and looking to the left in photography studio near Duke Birthing Center

Facilities 

When you think about hospital care, you value a couple of elements more, such as finding a place with high-quality facilities. Duke birthing center offers you 20 labor rooms with whirlpool baths, TV/DVDs to entertain you while you wait, and seating areas with couches and chairs to keep your family comfortable during your stay. After your baby is born, you can enjoy the time in one of the 28 mother/baby postpartum rooms with private showers, recliners, couches, and TV. A comfortable room with enough space and cozy elements is key for new parents to enjoy the first hours of parenting. 

Dedicated Operating Rooms for C-Sections are available for regular and gentle C-sections, a new approach to ordinary operations. A gentle C-section allows you and your partner to experience the moment together by making small changes to the routine process, like clear curtains so you can see your baby entering this world, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding in the operation room. Your baby will be with you in the OR and the recovery room. The Duke birthing center is also known for caring for women who require C-sections for medical reasons that might be a risk for the mother or baby. 

In addition to the amazing facilities you will enjoy during your stay, there is another major characteristic that differentiates Duke birthing center from the rest, which is the level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), fully equipped to care for newborns who require specialized attention from neonatologists and other experts. Level IV indicates this birthing center has the highest level of NICU care, with a team ready to treat critically ill infants. This is especially important for families who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. 

mom-to-be in white hat sitting on a floor and smiling to the camera during maternity photo session near Duke Birthing Center

Services 

Having your baby at a hospital can be a difficult experience if your birth plan includes little to no interventions and procedures. Still, the Duke birthing center is an exception because they focus on offering the best experience for parents, from the comfortable rooms that make you feel at home to the multiple alternatives to deliver your baby. They have high-tech and low-tech options to suit your needs. 

Midwives can assist you, and a certified nurse midwife can be part of your labor and birth and support you and your baby during postpartum recovery. And talking about postpartum recovery, the Duke birthing center is known for accompanying mothers during the first days of motherhood with 36 private postpartum rooms and nurses who are there to support you and your family to make an easy transition from the hospital to your home. Also, their clinical social workers are available to help you and your family in case of experiencing postpartum depression. 

portrait of pregnant woman taking at studio near Duke Birthing Center

Lactation consultations 

Suppose you plan to breastfeed your baby; the first days of trying are hard, and you are about to give up. In that case, you have nothing to worry about because the Duke birthing center offers lactation consultants ready to give you support from birth until after you leave the hospital. Successful breastfeeding has much to do with having a support team who provides accurate information and trusts your body. Although the first weeks might feel overwhelming, if breastfeeding is a goal for you, don’t hesitate to contact a lactation consultant. 

mom-to-be in wtite lace robe is standing near the window in photo graphy studio in Apex

Education opportunities

If you are currently expecting your baby, chances are you have started to read a book or two on parenting, how to care for your newborn, and pregnancy. But as valuable as they are, there is no comparison with having that information handed from professional nurses who specialize in labor, delivery, and newborn care. 

Duke birthing center offers classes covering pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn care topics. They are available not only for expectant parents but also for caregivers, and some are available in English and Spanish. Here are a couple of classes you can take when you choose your hospital. 

  • Preparing for labor.
  • Cesarean birth
  • Postpartum care
  • Newborn care
  • Newborn safety
  • Breastfeeding 
  • Pumping milk 

Why Duke Birthing Center is your best option?

Choosing the right hospital for you and your family is key to having a positive experience and starting your journey as parents the best way. Duke birthing center guarantees you will have the experience you need because they offer plenty of alternatives for delivering your baby. They can adapt to your needs and provide a gentle delivery or c-section, no medication, a midwife to assist you, a team of experts for high-risk situations, and the technology to make your stay and care as comfortable as possible. 

In conclusion, choosing Duke birthing center is choosing family-oriented care, a hospital where the patient and family are a priority and where you and your baby can receive the attention you need regardless of your birth plan and medical complications. They are prepared to deliver your baby and provide aftercare, so all you have to worry about is loving your baby without limits. 

If you are looking for more maternity content, click on the blog posts below! While you are here, I would love to talk to you about your maternity and newborn photography needs. Check my portfolio and let’s chat!

THE BEST SUPPORT DURING YOUR PREGNANCY JOURNEY WITH EMERALD DOULAS

BLUE ORCHID HOLISTIC WELLNESS | INCREDIBLE MASSAGES FOR MOMS

TRINITY LIFE CENTER | HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY PREGNANCY?

THE TOP PRENATAL YOGA STUDIOS IN RALEIGH TO NURTURE YOUR BODY!

lifestyle newborn photographer raleigh nc

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I am Victoria! Let’s make your photo session incredible! I want to help you create unforgettable memories. Browse around the blog and get in touch with me to schedule a free consultation.

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