WakeMed North vs Duke Birthing Center for Delivery (Raleigh, Wake Forest: hotel, university)

[Irenearlet]

Im 26 weeks pregnant and my OB is Duke Women's Heritage in Wake Forest and they deliver at Wakemed North. However, I noticed they dont have a NICU. Im not expecting a complicated delivery but things happen and those few minutes of transport to WakeMed Raleigh could be life or death. Ive heard Wake is a newer more "hotel like" facility but Duke is top notch in research, equipment and staff with a much larger pediatric unit. If I choose to deliver at Duke I'd have to drive 30 mins to the Brier Creek OB location every appt because they are the ones that deliver at Duke BC. Also, Duke is 40 mins from me while WakeMed North is 15. Those of you who have delivered at these locations how was your experience?

[Starglow]

If you suddenly go into labor then the difference between a 40min trip versus 15min is huge. Your OB should be aware of any potential complcations well before the delivery date and can advise you of any risks ahead of time. IMHO WakeMed North is a no brainier.

[cheapdad00]

Originally Posted by Starglow

If you suddenly go into labor then the difference between a 40min trip versus 15min is huge. Your OB should be aware of any potential complcations well before the delivery date and can advise you of any risks ahead of time. IMHO WakeMed North is a no brainier.

I would agree that OP should go to the hospital that is much closer to her. My youngest is 17, so it's been awhile, but when she was born, the hospital (Duke University) had just switched to "rooming in" and we were not made aware of it. (Her 2 brothers born 2 and 4 years earlier each spent a fair amount of time in the nursery while we were there). The "Rooming in" experience was terrible and I think at least partly contributed to her post partum after my daughter was born. Those couple of 2 hour breaks for sleep we got each night when the boys were born made a huge difference in our ability to function. Not sure if all local birthing centers have switched to "rooming in" but I would pick a hospital which still had a nursery, if there was a choice.