Updated: Sept 2022

Did you know our area has several options when it comes to where you can give birth? We’re pretty lucky! And many of the options have now implemented (when safe to do so) immediate skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, and delayed first bath as standard procedure. All facilities even have yoga/birth balls and peanut balls. For Tricare members (military), you can choose to birth at Womack or switch to Tricare Select and be seen off post.  (A quick note about Tricare Select; you can now only switch during open enrollment or within 90 days following a Qualifying Life Event. Pregnancy is not considered a QLE, however birth or adoption is.)

If you’re interested in placenta encapsulation, all of these options are supportive of releasing placentas so you should have no issues.

COVID precautions have made it difficult for doulas to attend births at our local hospitals. Policy changes can happen overnight, so it is best to contact your birthing location as you near your due date to receive the most up-to-date information regarding our physical attendance at your birth.

In no particular order….

  1. Womack: Available to military families and one of the busiest military L&D units. L&D has birth balls, peanut balls, showers and most recently added nitrous. After birth, if there are no complications, standard procedure is to place baby immediately skin to skin for up to an hour. Delayed cord clamping is also an option. And Womack is supportive of placenta encapsulation if that is something you wish to do. OBs and midwives are available, and you’ll be seen at Womack OB for your appointments.
  2. Cape Fear Valley: Our local civilian option. Yoga balls and peanut balls are available but could require an order from a provider, similar to an order for medication. There are a few clinics you can be seen at that deliver at CFV. Shop around for providers (OB or midwife) who meet your needs and are supportive of what you want your birth to look like. Jones Center for Women is a top choice.
  3. Moore Regional: Located in Pinehurst, it is a great option for both civilian and military families. It is a nice facility, and their labor rooms do have showers and some rooms have tubs but they do not allow water births. There are no midwives regularly available at this facility and you’ll pick from Pinehurst Surgical or Southern Pines Woman’s Health (many of our clients love Dr. Richburg and Dr. Lowery at SPW!) for a provider. This hospital has a unique Stork Nurse program for families who have a cesarean birth.
  4. Central Carolina Hospital: This smaller hospital is located in Sanford and has standard procedures similar to Womack–delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin, delayed bath, and releasing the placenta for encapsulation. The main office for providers (both OB and midwives) is located in Sanford, right across the street from the hospital. Tubs and showers are available and water birth is an option for low-risk clients. Midwives are available at this location and many of our clients have had low-intervention births at CCH.
  5. Women’s Birth and Wellness: ** No longer doing births. We will update if they open they birth center up again.**  The area’s only birth center! Located in Chapel Hill, it can be a bit of a drive for most Fayetteville families. WBWC is a fully equipped free standing birth center. This is a great option for low-risk clients who do not want the option for medication. Many clients remain on site for only a couple of hours before being discharged. WBWC is a happy medium between a hospital birth and a home birth.
  6. UNC in Chapel Hill: A bit outside our immediate area, but UNC’s L&D has been a favorite among our clients. More on the “natural friendly” side, tubs are available to labor in for low-risk individuals, and they are currently allowing doulas in during COVID–another reason many local families are choosing to travel a bit! Check out the UNC Midwives as a provider.
  7. WakeMed Cary: Also a bit outside our immediate area, but worth the drive, is WakeMed Cary. We’ve heard great things about Reply OB/GYN! Check them out if you’re considering WakeMed Cary as your birth place.
  8. Home Birth: We have no home birth midwives who are located in Fayetteville. You can visit our post about home birth to learn more about home birth midwives who travel to the Fayetteville area.
  9. With the closing of Women’s Birth and Wellness Center, our area no longer has a birth center with in a 2-hour drive. La Vita Bella Birth Center in Jacksonville, NC (Bella Donna Midwifery) and Natural Beginnings  Birth and Wellness Center in Statesville, NC are the only options for free-standing, non-hospital based birth centers.

Curious about the difference between an Obstetrician (OB) and a Midwife? Check out this quick article and remember that choosing the right provider and facility can make all the difference in your experience.

The Fayetteville Doulas have attended births at all area hospitals, as well as OOH (out of hospital) options. If you’d like more information about our experiences at any of these facilities, please contact us to set up a complimentary consultation. We’re happy to discuss your options with you and guide you through the process of finding a facility and provider that best meets your needs.

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2 Comments

  1. Do you offer a water birth option? Can I set an appointment for questions? I have tricare. Is everything covered?
    Thank you ?

    1. The only option right now for water birth would be a home birth. Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford used to do water birth, but they have stopped offering it. We do have a few options in the area for home births though! Shoot us an email at hello@fayettevilledoulas.com and we can give you some midwives to contact if you’re interested. Tricare will not cover a home birth 100%, there will be some out of pocket costs that vary depending on the midwife.

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