Pregnancy & Childbirth

Bring your baby into the world at a UNC Health Johnston hospital, where you’re treated like family. Enjoy support from a team that cares about you as a person, your health, and the health of your baby.

Recognized for High-Quality Care

You can feel confident in our quality of care because UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield is a designated Blue Distinction Center+ for maternity care. Blue Cross Blue Shield gave the honor, which reflects the hospital’s:

• Cost-effective care
• High patient satisfaction
• Lower-than-average rate of Cesarean sections for healthy, first-time mothers
• Low rates of deliveries scheduled earlier than medically necessary

Gentle C-sections

If your doctor recommends a Cesarean section, ask in advance for a “gentle C-section”—a more intimate way to give birth. Your obstetrician will perform the procedure the same way, but you can watch through a clear drape as the doctor lifts the newborn out of your womb.

Golden Hour

As long as your baby is healthy, you and your partner will enjoy an hour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin bonding time with your infant right after birth. This “golden hour” helps calm your newborn and lets you start breastfeeding as soon as possible to support your little one’s health.

Rooming In

For most of your hospital stay, your healthy infant will remain in your room for mother-baby bonding. You can practice caring for your newborn with guidance and support from expert nurses and lactation consultants. And your baby may cry less because he or she remains near you.

Special Care Nursery

If your newborn needs a little extra time in the hospital to grow strong and healthy, you’ll appreciate the Level II nursery at UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield. This special care nursery tends to premature or moderately sick babies born at least 32 weeks gestation.

At UNC Health Johnston in Clayton, trust the Level I nursery staff to provide excellent care for healthy, full-term babies.

Intensive & Emergency Care

If your infant needs intensive care, rest assured that nurses will stabilize your baby for transfer to UNC REX Healthcare in Raleigh or UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. All UNC Health Johnston maternity nurses hold certification in neonatal resuscitation and basic life support, so they can care for your newborn in the unlikely case of an emergency.