Women's Services

Women's Services

Whether it’s your mom, daughter, sister, best friend or yourself, Durham Regional Hospital is committed to every day of a woman’s health with our dedicated team of OB-GYN, cardiologists, surgeons and caring staff equipped with the latest in diagnostic tools. It’s our way of honoring the women in our own lives.

We’re here for you at every stage of life with advanced radiology services like mammography and bone density scans, Ladies Night Out seminars, and a top-notch birthing center.

Gynecology

Durham Regional offers treatment for both primary and non-primary-care gynecologic concerns.

Our team of experts treat women of all ages, addressing issues like:

  • Benign gynecologic disorders
  • Fetal diagnostics
  • Gynecologic oncology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Menopausal medicine
  • Urogynecology

Durham Regional also offers a number of sophisticated minimally invasive procedures. Read below to find out more.

three women

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

We offer minimally invasive gynecological surgery services including hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, endometrial ablation, treatment for endometriosis and alternatives to hysterectomy.

A hysteroscopy is a surgical procedure where the inside of the uterus is viewed through a narrow telescope allowing for the evaluation of the uterine lining, endometrial polyps and congenital defects of the uterus and cervix. An operative laparoscopy involves lighted scopes that evaluate the pelvic organs for fibroids, pelvic scar tissue and endometriosis. These minimally-invasive procedures treat a wide number of conditions including pelvic pain, fibroid tumors, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, fistulae and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Our physicians offer endometrial ablation to treat conditions such as excessive menstrual bleeding. Approximately 30 percent of surveyed women report having abnormally heavy periods, bleeding that disrupts a woman's ability to enjoy normal activities. Endometrial ablation is a procedure in which the majority of the lining of the uterus is permanently destroyed. Ablations are done with out any incisions and are outpatient or office-based procedures. Patient satisfaction with this procedure in reducing bleeding is approximately 90 percent.

Durham Regional has welcomed a new surgical assistant to its Operating Rooms. Click here to learn more about how the da Vinci Surical System is being used for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

two women

Radiology Services

Durham Regional Hospital offers a number of radiology services for women’s health. Durham Regional offers Mammography, Bone-Density Scans and other imaging services. For more information about radiology services at Durham Regional Hospital click here.

a family

The Birth Place

They say the best things in life come in small packages, and Durham Regional Hospital has been helping to deliver them for nearly 30 years. Our experienced team is ready to pamper mom, dad and baby with the exceptional care and special touches only found at a community hospital that is part of a world-class health system. At Durham Regional Hospital, we deliver more than 2,000 babies each year, but when you are here you and your baby are our top priority.

Our comfortable delivery suites allow you to deliver your baby in a cozy, home-like atmosphere, with necessary medical equipment hidden behind wood paneling and furniture until needed. Four of the suites even have whirlpools for relaxation during labor.

The Birth Place team prides itself on working with you to give you the birth experience you desire. Our labor and delivery nurses are some of the most experienced in the region – many have worked at Durham Regional for more than 10 years. Our nursey and postpartum staffs are experts in helping new moms learn how to care for their little ones, including breast feeding. Babies can room in with mom, or be cared for in the nursery. We also offer a Level II Special Care Nursery staffed by Duke neonatologists for those infants who require a little extra attention.

The Birth Place offers:

  • Eight labor and delivery suites, four with whirlpool tubs
  • Two dedicated operating rooms for C-sections within the labor & delivery unit
  • Hospital-based anesthesia team available 24 hours a day
  • 36 private postpartum rooms
  • Lightweight cordless fetal and maternal monitors provide mothers and the care team with greater freedom of movement during labor and more flexibility in choice of birthing positions
  • Strict infant security system
  • Tours for expectant parents and other family members
  • Prepared child birth, parenting, infant/ child CPR and breast feeding classes
special care nursery

Special Care Nursery

Should your baby arrive a little ahead of schedule, The Birth Place has an 18-bed level II Special Care Nursery. This nursery provides care for at-risk, acutely ill, and convalescing infants as early as 32 weeks of gestation. Your baby will receive individualized care to promote growth from our experienced team of Duke neonatologists and Durham Regional nursing staff. Infants born earlier than 32 weeks of gestation requiring surgery or subspeciality medical care are stabilized and transported to a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, usually at Duke Children's Hospital. The Special Care Nursery not only cares for premature infants, but also full-term babies who need extra help.

Guided Tours of the Labor and Delivery Unit

Guided tours of the Labor and Delivery Unit are offered at Durham Regional Hospital every Tuesday at 7-7:45 p.m. Children and other family members are welcome. Please arrive a few minutes before 7 pm in the Radiation Oncology lobby. To register, call 416-DUKE (3853) or register online http://www.durhamregional.org/events

Preparing for the Big Day

It's almost here ... the day you've been waiting for. Whether this is your first child or your fifth, you're probably filled with emotion -- nervous anticipation, excitement, joy, even a little bit of apprehension. At Durham Regional Hospital, we are committed to providing a memorable experience for you and your family as you welcome your little one into the world.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • If you suspect labor has started or if you have any questions or problems, call your physician.
  • When you arrive at the hospital, please enter through the Emergency Room (ER). You can go straight to the back of the ER to Patient Registration. Please have your insurance card with you. One of our staff members will take you upstairs to Labor & Delivery, where we will complete the registration process.
  • For your comfort and safety, no more than two visitors are allowed in the labor & delivery room at one time. Other family members and friends are welcome to relax in our comfortable waiting area located near the elevators. Siblings or other children must always be accompanied by an adult.
  • Cameras and video cameras are welcome in the room. However, we ask that you not take pictures or videos of the actual birth. For security reasons, pictures of any type are not allowed at the Nursery windows.
  • Patient safety is our top priority, and Durham Regional has a strict infant security system. Your nurse will explain the security system to you.

Wondering what to bring to the hospital?

  • We recommend comfortable walking shoes, a robe and gown, comfortable clothes to wear home (remember, it takes time for your body to recover -- loose fitting clothes like those you wore in early pregnancy are probably the most comfortable), three or four receiving blankets, an outfit for baby to wear home (something with legs -- gowns don’t work well with car seats), two to three diapers, and a nursing/support bra. You may also want to bring snacks, although the hospital has a full-service cafeteria and 24-hour vending machines.
  • Your baby cannot leave the hospital without an appropriate rear-facing car seat. Please make sure your car seat is properly installed and that you know how to fasten your infant in it safely. See the closest locations for car seat installation.

We look forward to welcoming you and your little one into the world!

Click here for a printable pre-registration form [PDF, 1239k] for The Birth Place at Durham Regional.

For questions about The Birth Place use this form to send us a message.

Forms

Ladies Night Out

Join us for Ladies Night Out, a series of free informal seminars on topics related to women’s health.

Sessions are held six times a year at Durham Regional Hospital at 7 p.m. Tea and light refreshments are served. Visit our Event Calendar to register for upcoming Seminars. Event Calendar

Physicians