Health Services

Birthing Unit

Mission

Provide comprehensive, high quality, convenient, and family-centered care that promotes, maintains, and/or improves the physical and emotional well-being of mothers, babies, and women throughout the life cycle, by health supervision, education, Family involvement and utilization of resources. Support graduate level education and research.

Overview
The birthing unit at Womack Army Medical Center consists of:
• 9 birthing suites (Labor/Delivery/Recovery)
• 4 outpatient triage rooms
• 2 operating room suites
• 2 bed recovery room for Post-Surgical care of a cesarean section delivery
The unit has open visitation hours and family members are welcome to remain in the birthing suite during the delivery of the infant, as the mother desires.

Triage and PACU Recovery only allows one visitor at a time and no children are allowed for safety reasons. The mother and infant remain in the birthing suite for 1.5 to 2 hours after delivery before transferring to the Mother Baby Unit.

Womack Army Medical Center averages 200-300 deliveries and 600-800 outpatient visits per month. We have a friendly staff of physicians, midwives, and nurses who are committed to bringing you and your family excellent care.
Policies and Procedures
The L&D policies and procedures are in compliance with the following regulatory guidance:

• The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
About Your Stay
After 20 weeks gestation, you may report to the birthing unit for evaluation, treatment, or monitoring. Your healthcare provider will discuss and review with you a plan of care at the time of admission so you and your Family understand why you are being admitted.

Your stay will vary in length based on you and your baby’s healthcare needs. Mothers in labor will remain in the birthing unit for delivery of your newborn and for the immediate postpartum period then you will be transferred to the Mother-Baby Unit.

While on the unit, a nurse will be assigned and dedicated to you and your needs throughout your entire delivery. Your nurse will assist with providing your medical care, support you during your labor and delivery, answer your questions, encourage you and act as your advocate.

We do not have restricted visiting hours; however we want your stay to be a supportive, low stress environment with decreased stimulation to facilitate your birthing process.

We highly encourage you to have supporters with you during your labor and delivery including of course the father of the baby. Children are allowed but it is mandatory that an additional adult be present to care for children present.

Family and friends who are ill should discuss their presence with the nurse to determine if it is safe for them to be present on the unit.
What to Bring
We provide most everything you will need during your stay.

Some suggested comfort items you may want to bring include:
- Cell phone, tablet, laptop (at this time the birthing unit does not have Wi-Fi)
- Camera
- Favorite pillow (for both mom and dad)
- Lollipops/hard candy
- Lip balm
- Personal hygiene items and other personal comfort items you desire to bring
Family and friends who will be providing support are encouraged to dress for comfort and to pack a lunch with snacks. There is a shoppette located on the ground floor of the hospital, open M-F during normal business hours.

Carolina's Cord Blood Bank

Womack’s Birthing Unit partners with the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank (CCBB). It is a public cord blood bank that collects, tests and stores umbilical cord blood donated by moms like you who have delivered a healthy baby after an uncomplicated pregnancy and birthing process.

Learn more about the CCBB and donating cord blood.

Birthing Unit FAQs

Plan for Delivery
- Should I have a birth plan?
  There are many samples of birth plans available online to use as a guide for creating your individualized birth plan. Problems in your health history prior to labor or problems that occur during labor may result in changes in your plan for your and your baby’s safety. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are regarding your labor, delivery, and postpartum care, the better chance you will have in achieving your birthing goals. A plan is a guideline; you can change your mind at any time. You and your delivery team will work together to make this the best possible life event for you!
- I am scheduled for an induction - what should I do?
  If you are scheduled for an induction, plan to call the Birthing Unit around 6 a.m. the morning of your induction. This phone call is to ensure there is a room available for you. Before you arrive to the unit make sure to eat breakfast/lunch/dinner and shower/bathe.
- I am scheduled for a C-section - what should I do?
  If you are scheduled for a c-section, DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight. Plan to call the Birthing Unit around 5 a.m. the morning of your operation. This phone call is to ensure the plan for you to have your c-section has not changed, and to make sure we have an operating room open. You will need to take a shower/bath and plan to arrive at the Birthing Center at 6 a.m. on the morning of your C-section.
- When should I come to labor and delivery?
  If you are under 20 weeks gestational age:
  If you are having any bleeding, cramping, or concerns and you think you need to be seen by a health care professional, you need to either be seen in the OB/GYN clinic or the Emergency Department.
  
  If you are over 20 weeks gestational age:
  You should come to the Birthing Unit for assessment if you have any vaginal bleeding or vaginal gush of fluid (note the time and color and put on a peripad), decreased fetal movements (ref. page 118 in purple pregnancy book for fetal kick counts and charts)
  
  If you have a medical emergency, call 911
Visitation
- What are the visitng hours?
  We do not have set visiting hours in the Birthing Center.
- How many visitors can I have in my labor and delivery?
  Each patient is encouraged to have labor supporters to stay with them throughout the labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum period while in the Birthing Unit. Other family and friends are asked to wait in the family waiting room. Siblings are permitted in the Labor Rooms with one (1) adult per sibling. The adult is not to be the Mother’s support person (Dad, Friend, etc). If the adult supervising the sibling leaves, the sibling must leave too. No children/siblings are allowed in the Triage area.
- Can my children be present for the delivery?
  Siblings are permitted in the Labor Rooms with one (1) adult per sibling. The adult is not to be the Mother’s support person (Dad, Friend, etc). If the adult supervising the sibling leaves, the sibling must leave too. No children/siblings are allowed in the Triage area.
  
  It is suggested that they arrive in comfortable clothes and pack a bag with books, small toys, appropriate electronic devices, and snacks. Staff reserve the right to request children be accompanied to the waiting area during emergencies or special circumstances.
During Labor
- What are my options for pain management?
  You will be provided a wide range of options for pain management. These include breathing techniques and position changes, IV medications, and also epidural analgesia. What route you take for pain management will depend on your preparation for the labor, the baby, how far along you are in your labor, the mother’s health, and the decision you and your health care team agree on.
- Do I have to have an IV?
  An intravenous infusion (IV) is generally used during the labor process as a way to give you hydration, medications, and provides a route to access your venous system in an emergency.
- Can I walk around while I am in labor?
  Many patients choose to walk and sit in a rocking chair or birth ball while they are in labor. As long as your baby is doing well and you haven’t received any medications that could interfere with walking, your physician may order for you to walk around if you desire. Many times, walking around can be very comfortable to women during the early part of labor.
- What is Pitocin?
  Pitocin is a medication that is the synthetic form of the hormone your body already produces (oxytocin) to stimulate uterine contractions. Pitocin is sometimes ordered by your physician to induce or augment your labor. Your nurse and health care provider will discuss administration of Pitocin before starting it on you.
Postpartum
- Do you have a nursery?
  We do not have a newborn nursery. We promote couplet care: mothers and newborns remain together for the entire hospital stay. For infants who require more medical care than what can be provided in a room, WAMC has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- Concerns during your stay or not fully satisfied?
  If you have any concerns during your stay or are not fully satisfied with your experience, please contact the Birthing Center Head Nurse at 1-910-907- 7543.

Contact Us

Phone

Birthing Unit

910-907-7563

Women & Newborn Care Unit

910-907-7081

Lactation/Breastfeeding Appointments

910-907-7081
910-907-8367

Lactation Warm Line

910-907-8367

Hours

24/7

Location

2817 Rock Merritt Avenue
Fort Liberty, NC 28310

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Health Services

Birthing Unit

Mission

Carolina's Cord Blood Bank

Birthing Unit FAQs

Contact Us

Phone

Birthing Unit

Women & Newborn Care Unit

Lactation/Breastfeeding Appointments

Lactation Warm Line

Hours

Location

Did You Have An Outstanding Experience?

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