UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery For A Positive Birth Experience

A smiling expecting could hikes up a hill overlooking mountains at sunset while holding hands after visiting unc chapel hill labor and delivery

Throughout pregnancy, there’s a small sense of dread hanging over you. While you’re undoubtedly excited to meet your little one, the questions regarding delivery seem to constantly wake you up. Will you have a good birth experience? Will it hurt? How will I know labor is starting? Does it hurt? Will my doctors listen to me? WILL IT HURT?!?! Then, that gorgeous baby bump acts as a magnet for people who want to tell you all about the worst birth experiences you’ve ever heard. It can be a lot to take in. Unfortunately, we can’t provide all the answers to your questions, but we can tell you about a place that will give you the best chance for a great birth. At UNC Chapel Hill Labor and Delivery, you’ll have access to tons of resources so you can give birth the way that works best for you. 

About UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery

Since the very beginning, UNC Health has strived to be the leading center of public academic health care. The system believes in holistic care. They provide tons of departments to take care of both your physical and your mental health. By offering so many professionals, they can take a more collaborative approach to your care. The system prides itself on creating a culture where everyone can thrive. They believe that through taking care of each other, North Carolina residents can live their best lives possible. 

One of the clearest examples of the UNC Chapel Hill approach is through their labor and delivery section. While most hospitals use a one-size-fits-all method for childbirth, UNC invites you to explore all your options. If an epidural or a planned c-section is what your body needs, they’ll provide it. However, if you want to try for a natural delivery, they have all the resources to make it happen, from their expansive team of experts to the tools kept within each delivery room. You’ll have a private delivery suite and will be able to invite up to three guests to support you throughout labor. 

Following delivery, you can recover for 2-3 days in the postpartum unit, which has a fold-out couch and a private bathroom with a shower. The center is certified Baby-Friendly and features a Level IV NICU in case you need it. You can find it at 101 Manning Drive in Chapel Hill. 

A glamorous mother to be in a blue maternity gown hikes with some mountain laurel while looking over her shoulder

Services

With UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery, you’ll receive all your prenatal visits at the medical center. The department is staffed by family medicine doctors, OB-GYNs, certified nurse midwives, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. They also have doulas to act as emotional coaches throughout your pregnancy and delivery. All lab work and ultrasounds will be completed at the location. As you near your due date, your provider will start working with you to get prepared for labor. The center has classes and a women’s health education center to make sure you feel totally equipped. 

Once labor starts, you’ll go to the hospital, where your provider will meet you. The center offers valet parking, so you can just show up and let them worry about your car. The rooms are modern yet comfortable, with sunny windows and plenty of space for your guests. While you labor, you’ll have access to a variety of tools. Their jacuzzi tubs are perfect for hydrotherapy, while their adjustable beds help you move easily through different positions. They also have birthing and peanut balls available for use. The center will lead you and your partner through breathing and relaxation techniques as well as massages. For pain relief, you’ll be able to use an epidural, an IV pain medication, or nitrous oxide. 

A pregnant woman in a blue maternity gown stands on a mountain overlook holding her train and walking barefoot under a tree

After Delivery

Following delivery, your UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery doctor will immediately encourage bonding by prioritizing skin-to-skin during that first hour. You’ll do the first bath and room-in with your baby, and over the course of several days, the hospital will perform all necessary tests. You’ll be discharged based on your provider’s opinion and your insurance policy. Once it’s time to start out life with your newborn, you’ll put them in the car seat and get final pieces of guidance before heading home.

Higher-risk pregnancies will have access to the antepartum suites if needed. These rooms are intended for people who have to be hospitalized before their due dates. If you cannot attend classes, the center will give you the resources you need so you feel prepared for delivery and parenting a newborn. 

A happy mother to be in a blue maternity gown stands on a mountain pasture holding her bump at sunset after visiting unc chapel hill labor and delivery

Specialty

UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery wants to make sure you feel prepared for every aspect of childbirth and parenthood. The center provides numerous classes that you can take during any part of your pregnancy. These courses cover pretty much everything you need to know for those first few years of life. You can take comprehensive childbirth classes that cover the different methods of delivery, classes that discuss what to expect during the 4th trimester, infant safety and CPR classes, and classes to prepare older siblings for what to expect with a brand-new baby sibling. 

UNC offers networking groups such as M.O.M., a class that pairs experienced moms with first-timers to give them advice and share stories of their own parenthood journeys. The center gives you the opportunity to schedule a group tour of the birthing center. You can also find online refresher courses, father classes, baby sign language classes and childcare courses. 

A pregnant mom to be walks under a tree at sunset holding hands with her husband and their dog following after visiting unc chapel hill labor and delivery

You Can Not Go Wrong With UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery

With UNC Chapel Hill Labor And Delivery, you’ll be able to have the birth experience you want. Through their comfortable center and their numerous experts, you’ll have all the resources you need for your delivery. 

While you’re making your birth plan, don’t forget to schedule some pics! We’re Haleigh and Jack, your North Carolina motherhood photographers, and we want to help you celebrate this unforgettable season. We specialize in maternity and newborn pictures and work to make the process as laid back as possible so you’re left with authentic portraits. If you’ve been looking for the right team to document your growing family, we’d love it if you stuck around to see if we’re the ones for you! Contact us today so we can schedule your session.

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