Question 1

Why choose a birth center?

Accepted Answer

More and more families are choosing to welcome their babies in birth centers, and for good reason. Research shows that childbirth is often easier and safer when women have continuous supportive care throughout pregnancy and birth, and when the environment is designed for comfort, privacy, and freedom of movement in labor. This is exactly what Haven Women’s Health and Birth Center offers.

Haven Women’s Health and Birth Center provides a calm, home-like setting where midwife-led care is centered on the needs and preferences of each family. Our model of care emphasizes personalized attention, shared decision-making, and support for natural birth, while still following evidence-based guidelines to promote safety for both mother and baby. Haven is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.​

This kind of midwife-led care in birth centers has shown impressive results in large studies, including lower rates of intervention such as cesarean birth among healthy, low-risk women, with excellent outcomes for mothers and babies. Similar findings in other countries have led national guidelines, such as those in the United Kingdom, to encourage healthy women to strongly consider midwife-led birth center care.

Question 2

What is a certified nurse-midwife?

Accepted Answer

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are licensed advanced practice nurses with specialized training in women’s reproductive health. CNMs are trained to help women be as healthy as they can be in pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, and to diagnose and manage obstetrical problems, in collaboration with physicians. They are also trained to provide primary care for women of all ages, to support breastfeeding, and to care for newborns in their first weeks of life.

Decades of research show that midwifery care, coordinated with physician care for those who need it, is associated with better health outcomes than physician care alone. That’s because midwives have the time and the training to focus on wellness, prevention, and education throughout pregnancy, and provide one-on-one care during labor and birth. Midwives also have the skills and training to manage common problems that arise in pregnancy and birth, and collaborate with physicians and other providers to provide the full spectrum of care – whether that is an epidural for pain relief or a cesarean for a complicated labor.

Question 3

Is it safe to give birth outside of the hospital?

Accepted Answer

For healthy, low-risk women, giving birth in a birth center is as safe as giving birth in the hospital and actually has health benefits.

A recent national study of birth center outcomes found that maternal and neonatal complication rates were extremely low and comparable to what is typical among low-risk women in a hospital setting. Out of the 15,574 women whose outcomes were analyzed, as part of the National Birth Center Study, there were no maternal deaths. The in-labor fetal death rate was 0.47/1000 and the neonatal (newborn) death rate was 0.4/1000. That means, based on the data, out of 1,000 women admitted to birth centers for labor, about 1 would be expected to lose a baby in labor or in the first weeks after birth.

Question 4

Are you close to a hospital?

Accepted Answer

While we always hope for a smooth and joyful birth experience, safety always comes first. That’s why Haven is thoughtfully located just two minutes from the nearest hospital

Question 5

What is a reason for which I would have to go to the hospital?

Accepted Answer

The main reason a woman would transfer to the hospital is for pain relief, a prolonged labor, and in rare circumstances, concerns regarding fetal health.

Question 6

How long is my stay after delivery (postpartum)?

Accepted Answer

Following birth your stay in the birth center will be an average of 6-12 hours but not more than 24 hours.

Question 7

Is it safe to go home after 6 to 12 hours?

Accepted Answer

Early discharge to home is safe as long at the family is well prepared, the home environment is safe, the mother and baby are healthy after birth, and there is close follow-up after discharge to monitor for any problems. Our midwives and nurses monitor mothers and babies closely during the first hours after birth to watch for signs of a healthy transition and help get breastfeeding off to a good start. After discharge home, we schedule a visit with a nurse  around 24 to 48 hours postpartum, generally in the family’s home.

At the home visit, a full assessment is completed on mom and baby, and newborn screening tests are performed, the same as they would be in the hospital. These include checks for jaundice, heart defects, metabolic diseases, and weight. Of course, there is always someone on call should the family need anything between these check-ins.

Question 8

How is a midwife different than a doctor?

Accepted Answer

A midwife’s primary training is in normal pregnancy and birth. Midwives view pregnancy and birth as normal events in a woman’s life, not as a disease process.

Midwives are specifically trained to provide physiologic care, which means supporting the normal biological processes in pregnancy and birth and to prevent complications by focusing on health and wellness.

Although doctors also learn about normal pregnancy and physiologic birth, the focus of their training is the use of medical and surgical techniques to diagnose and treat problems.

Midwives, particularly in the birth center setting, stay with women during labor as much as possible to facilitate an encouraging, empowering experience for the woman and her family.

Question 9

Can I eat and drink during labor?

Accepted Answer

Eating and drinking in labor is both allowed and encouraged. Plan to bring your own food/snacks and drinks, there is two kitchenettes are available for families to store snacks and prepare simple meals.

Need a snack after an appointment or craving the ultimate meal during your birth or postpartum? Cary and the surrounding area is home to a diverse array of food options.

Within a five-minute drive (or delivery) time, you can access:
Panera Bread
Shake Shack
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cuisine
Chicken Salad Chick
Rise Southern Biscuits
Gonza Tacos
Chick-fil-A
Saffron Indian Cuisine
Sassool Mediterranean
Cilantro Indian Cafe
Asali Desserts & Cafe
and more!

Question 10

Are there pediatricians in Cary, NC or the surrounding area that work well with Haven’s team?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We work closely with a trusted network of pediatricians throughout Cary and the surrounding areas to ensure seamless care for your baby after birth. Families at Haven Women’s Health and Birth Center often find great support from these recommended pediatricians who understand and collaborate with our team’s approach to newborn and family care.

To make it easy, you go HERE for a list of all of our recommended providers and community partners This list includes providers who share our values of personalized, compassionate care and are experienced partners with our birth center.

Question 11

How far is the recommended drivable radius for arriving at Haven Women’s Health & Birth Center in Cary, NC?

Accepted Answer

We welcome moms from all across North Carolina—many families travel from as far as two hours away to birth with us!

When you think you might be in labor, simply call Haven Women's Health & Birth Center and select option 2 to speak directly with the on-call midwife. Our midwife will triage your situation over the phone, taking into account how far you live from the center and how quickly you tend to birth, to make sure you arrive in time to birth at the center.

If you’d prefer to stay close by as your labor gets started, we have the Hampton Inn & Suites conveniently located within walking distance of our birth center. Haven clients receive a special discounted rate; just call the center at 919-322-0284 for assistance with booking your room, and we’ll help you get that reduced rate.

So, whether you’re coming from Cary or from other parts of the state, we’ll work together to support your birth plans and make sure you get here safely and in time!

Question 12

What is the traffic like in Cary, and how should I plan my drive?

Accepted Answer

Typical traffic conditions in Cary can vary depending on your starting point and time of day. To help you plan, here are approximate travel times from key nearby areas:

From Morrisville: 20-30 minutes
From Cary: 10-20 minutes
From Raleigh: 25-35 minutes
From Apex: 25-35 minutes
From Holly Springs: 20-30 minutes
From Fuquay-Varina: 30-40 minutes
From Durham: 30-50 minutes
From Clayton: 40-55 minutes
From Garner: 20-25 minutes
From Fayetteville 1 hour - 1 hour and 15 minutes
From Pinehurst: 1 hour - 1 hour and 5 minutes

Tips to factor into your drive time:  
Check real-time traffic updates using navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze before you leave.
Allow extra time for potential delays during rush hours, typically weekday mornings (7–9 am) and late afternoons (4–6 pm).
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to account for unexpected traffic.

By planning ahead and leaving with plenty of buffer, you can help ensure a calm, timely arrival and reduce stress during this special moment.

FAQs

Why choose a birth center?

What is a certified nurse-midwife?

Is it safe to give birth outside of the hospital?

Are you close to a hospital?

What is a reason for which I would have to go to the hospital?

How long is my stay after delivery (postpartum)?

Is it safe to go home after 6 to 12 hours?

How is a midwife different than a doctor?

Can I eat and drink during labor?

Are there pediatricians in Cary, NC or the surrounding area that work well with Haven’s team?

How far is the recommended drivable radius for arriving at Haven Women’s Health & Birth Center in Cary, NC?

What is the traffic like in Cary, and how should I plan my drive?

What's included in my prenatal and postnatal care when I become a client of Haven?

What comfort measures do you offer when I'm in labor?

Do you offer water birth?

Are there any local support groups or postpartum resources in Cary?

Do you offer virtual prenatal visits?

What are the best prenatal and childbirth education classes available in Cary, NC?

Do you offer any services to non-pregnant women?

Do you accept insurance?

Are classes included as part of the Haven Women's Health and Birth Center fee?

What if my out-of-pocket costs are too high for me?

Are you in network with medicaid?

What criteria defines a low-risk pregnancy?

I've had a previous c-section. Am I able to give birth at Haven?

I've been seeing another provider for this pregnancy, but I'd like to transfer my care to Haven. Do you accept transfers?

Haven Birth Center Tour / Orientation

OUR LOCATION

FAQs

Why choose a birth center?

What is a certified nurse-midwife?

Is it safe to give birth outside of the hospital?

Are you close to a hospital?

What is a reason for which I would have to go to the hospital?

How long is my stay after delivery (postpartum)?

Is it safe to go home after 6 to 12 hours?

How is a midwife different than a doctor?

Can I eat and drink during labor?

Are there pediatricians in Cary, NC or the surrounding area that work well with Haven’s team?

How far is the recommended drivable radius for arriving at Haven Women’s Health & Birth Center in Cary, NC?

What is the traffic like in Cary, and how should I plan my drive?

What's included in my prenatal and postnatal care when I become a client of Haven?

What comfort measures do you offer when I'm in labor?

Do you offer water birth?

Are there any local support groups or postpartum resources in Cary?

Do you offer virtual prenatal visits?

What are the best prenatal and childbirth education classes available in Cary, NC?

Do you offer any services to non-pregnant women?

Do you accept insurance?

​Are classes included as part of the Haven Women's Health and Birth Center fee?

What if my out-of-pocket costs are too high for me?

Are you in network with medicaid?

What criteria defines a low-risk pregnancy?

I've had a previous c-section. Am I able to give birth at Haven?

I've been seeing another provider for this pregnancy, but I'd like to transfer my care to Haven. Do you accept transfers?

Haven Birth Center Tour / Orientation

OUR LOCATION

Are classes included as part of the Haven Women's Health and Birth Center fee?