Duke Womens Health is a private OB group. You can deliver at Duke and request that you only see your provider from DWHA, no residents or students. I did and so did my sister and many friends. Duke's birthing suites are comfortable though not "fancy" like some private hospitals, but the care is excellent. All the support staff was very caring and considerate. The nurses are great patient advocates.
I delivered my first there and will deliver my second there in a few weeks with DWHA. Not only is DWHA a great group, but some support services such as lactation consultaton are better at Duke. A lactational consultant came and saw me every day I was there.
Durham Regional is a "Duke Hospital" and some staff work both places. If you are having an uncomplicated, low risk delivery it is a fine place to deliver. A little quieter, easier parking. I've heard good things about Harris and Smith OBs.
You can have a tour of both and talk to the staff.
Good luck.

I had one of my sons at Duke and it was an awesome experience (as far as giving birth goes)....much better than I had experienced prior. The birthing rooms are awesome. The staff was extremely helpful. I used the Duke OB/GYN doctors but only went to the office near Chapel Hill that had 4 or 5 doctors, and my child was delivered by one of those doctors. I have LONG labor and the staff did all that they could to help me avoid an epidural but after I passed the 26 hour mark, I badly needed relief - the anesthesia team was also great.

Thank you for your response.

When you say "much better than I had experienced prior" was that at another hospital or at Duke?

You have helped with easing my mind.

Briercreekmomof2 - I had posted a reply to your post, but I dont' think it posted.   Thank you for your response to my question - I am happy that your experiences have been good at Duke and at DWHA.  Help with my decision.

Best of luck with your second birth - Congratulations.

I had a baby at Durham Regional in October.  When there, I was told most of Duke's babies were being delivered at Durham Regional  in the past year and they were having mostly high risk pregnancies deliver at Duke.  I had both my children at Durham Regional and was very pleased.  I am a Harris and Smith patient and they helped through infertility to two beautiful children.

I've worked at both hospitals and I think you'll find the facilities and staff at both to be awesome. You'll also find that both hospitals, well just about ALL hospitals, are teaching facilites and you will be cared for by residents, interns and fellows at any facility. Durham Regional Hospital is part of the Duke Healthcare System. While some attending physicians may be on service at one or the other, both are staffed by the learners. Rest assured, your care is always overseen by an attending physician. I just didn't want you to have the false impression that they weren't in every hospital. As written earlier, you can request that your care be provided by your primary caregiver only, but you will probably want to discuss this option with your caregiver first to make sure that it's possible for them to fulfill that request. Congratulations on your pregnancy and wishing you a great delivery experience!

Kim@triangle4dbaby.com

Triangle Imaging Center

www.triangle4Dbaby.com