Having a baby - UNC, Duke or WakeMed-Cary (Raleigh, Chapel Hill: insurance, chapel)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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We were planning on going to UNC because that is the closest by about 25 minutes but after doing a search it seems like a lot of people have had great experiences at WakeMed Cary. It seems like there aren't as many responses from parents who have had babies at UNC.
If you had a baby at UNC and how was the experience?
We used the birthing center in Chapel Hill. Might want to check your insurance....my wife had BCBS and they literally were going to cover 0% of the costs including any complications that might arise. No maternity rider. Insurance companies...
Yeah I'd check first to see which hospitals your insurance will cover and go from there. Personally I wish I could use the birthing center in Chapel Hill but my insurance won't cover them
We used REX which is in the UNC system and had good experiences all 3 times. have had friends and family use WakeMed Cary and they were very happen with it as well. So I think either way you will be okay.
We did a natural birth the first time (because we had no insurance) and will do it a second time (because our insurance covers nothing). We were incredibly happy with our experience and it cost about half as much as a hospital birth. No epidural though...my wife is a tough woman.
It depends on whether you are thinking high risk or not. I'd deliver at Duke or UNC if I were at risk for preemie or early delivery. Their NICU's are superior.
It also depends on where the OB you choose delivers...
I have also heard folks having good experiences at WakeMedCary and Rex.
We drove from Cary to use UNC. My first child spent three days in the NICU at UNC (and we weren't "high risk") and we were very glad to be there already. I know a lot of people who had great experiences at Wake Med Cary too, but Wake Med Cary doesn't have a lot of pediatric facilities and anything major is going to get your child transferred to Big Wake or UNC. If you anticipate an uncomplicated birth and are closer to Wake Med Cary then go for it, but I don't think I'd want to drive there if you are closer to UNC.
This isn't really on topic, but my wife is due in November and we're choosing Rex. Called them about estimates today on costs for delivery (below)... just in case anyone delivering at Rex wanted to run the numbers with what their insurance covers.
Normal Delivery (2 day stay)
$7652.28 (mom)
$1839.28 (baby)
I've not had a kid in years now, but I delivered 2 at Rex and I also had a stillborn that I delivered there. All experiences were largely positive (the stillbirth was tough for obvious reasons, but I went in knowing she'd already died).
My middle kid was born at WakeMed Raleigh. Very good experience there as well.
I think childbirth is part what you make it, and part how good the facility and caregivers are that you encounter.
If you don't go into it looking for perfection, you really can't go wrong with any of the hospitals you've mentioned.
Good luck to you!
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