Important changes are coming to Maternity Services

We’re updating our electronic medical records system

This change to our record keeping system will streamline many of our patient processes, and make specific things easier for YOU!

Easier access to your patient portal
Better consistency in patient records when transferring your care to CVMC for labor and delivery
A system that is specifically designed to log prenatal care
Improved efficiency during appointments

This change will take effect Oct. 1. During this transition, you may encounter some delays, such as a short reduction in appointment availability. Please be patient with us as we work to improve your patient experience!

Individual Care and Group Prenatal Care

297242695_462139862586555_135464838926202837_n The CVMC Maternity Services program offers traditional individual care as well as group prenatal care models like Centering Pregnancy. Our program features an outstanding team of Certified Nurse-Midwives with more than 130 years of combined experience. The offices are conveniently located inside the Catawba County Public Health Building, which is behind the hospital grounds and the entrance to the CVMC Center for Women & Children’s Services.

Maternity Services program offers:

Collaborative Physician/Midwife care offered for high-risk pregnancies.
Affordable childbirth education classes for our patients.
Access to Certified Nurse-Midwives at the birthing center around the clock for phone calls or concerns.
Ultrasound and lab available on site.
Easy access onsite to Public Health Services including: WIC Services, breastfeeding support and mentors, Adult Health services for birth control options, and immunizations.
Compassionate, friendly and family-centered care during prenatal visits and individualized birthing plans encouraged.
Mother’s personal and cultural preferences respected regarding her birth and care for her baby.
All languages welcome and translation services available.
The option for VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) is available.
Tubal ligation after delivery available with advance planning, for most women regardless of ability to pay.
Billing available for Medicaid and most private insurances, payment plans and discounts available.
A representative of the Public Health Dental Clinic is available to schedule appointments for our patients.
Centering Pregnancy group prenatal care offered as an option for increased support and community.
- Patient centered
- Better outcomes including decrease preterm and low birth rates, increasing breastfeeding rates
- Empower patients to be actively involved in their own care
- Build friendships and support from other participants

Alayne Gaston has dedicated more than 35 years to the practice of midwifery, with over three decades of service at Catawba Valley Medical Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, followed by her MSN and ND degrees from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Alayne began her career in New York, where she practiced for four years before joining CVMC, where she has since become a trusted provider and advocate for women’s health. She considers it an incredible privilege to guide patients through the birth process and support them throughout their healthcare journeys. Outside of work, Alayne enjoys gardening, music, reading, and crafting. She is the proud mother of two grown daughters and a grandmother to one grandson.

Katy is a Certified Nurse Midwife with a passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care to women and families. She earned her graduate degree from Frontier Nursing University, a leader in distance education for midwifery and nurse practitioner programs. With a strong foundation in holistic and patient-centered care.

As a mother of two, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her practice, helping her connect with patients on a deeper level. Katy is committed to empowering women with knowledge, respect, and support throughout their healthcare journeys.

Lauren O Fountain, CNM, MSN is a certified nurse midwife who joined Catawba Valley Medical Center in 2020 after working in private practice for 3 years. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNC-Charlotte in 2006. Her first year of nursing she took an Americorps volunteer position in Texas working 11 miles from the Boarder of Mexico for one year at a birth center. She served primarily Spanish speaking only women and developed a love for midwifery. In 2016 she earned her Master of Science Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse-Midwifery and post graduate degree in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She was so fortunate to complete her midwifery clinicals at Catawba.

Lauren lives in Asheville with her husband Adam and has 2 small children. She loves to travel all over the world, spend time in nature, and is a big foodie.

Midwifery is one of her greatest passions and she loves providing individualized midwifery care and is honored to attend births. “My favorite part of birth is when the mother and baby look at one another for the first time. Every time this brings me so much joy.”

Rebecca W. Lacik, CNM, MSN is a certified nurse midwife who has had the priviledge of practicing at Catawba Valley Medical Center for more than 10 years. She completed her Bachelor or Science Degree in Nursing at UNC-Greensboro in 1996 and earned her Master of Science Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse-Midwifery from East Carolina University in 2007. She completed a large portion of her midwifery clinicals at Catawba Valley Medical Center, learning under many of the nurse-midwives she now has the honor to call collegues. Admiring the thorough, community oriented care provided at Catawba, she always knew the only place other than her own small town she would want to practice would be Catawba.

Rebecca is joyfully married to Tom and together they have a blended family of 7 adult children. When not at home with Tom or visiting with their children, you will find her enjoying long walks with her beloved dog Theo or volunteering for The Butterfly House Child Advocacy Center.

Dr. Shelly Benfield, is a Certified Nurse-Midwife. She started her educational journey by completing an Associates Degree in Nursing from Wilkes Community College. She obtained her Bachelor degree from Winston-Salem State University and her Masters degree with a concentration in Midwifery from State University of New York. With Education being a priority in her life, Shelly obtained her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama.

Shelly lives in Alexander county with her husband, Bob. She is a member at Bethlehem Fire Department. She is also an active member at Tri-City Baptist Church. She has a passion for being outdoors, and enjoys kayaking, hiking and camping. When not at work, Shelly spends as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren!

Shelly has worked as a midwife at Catawba for over 20 years. “The most rewarding thing in my career is seeing families experience the miracle of birth as they welcome new life.”

Trish has been a midwife for 30 years, with experience in hospitals, birth centers, and homebirth practices. She recently celebrated 20 years of caring for families at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Passionate about helping women create the birth experience that feels right for them, Trish values the variety of options available in our birthing suites—from rocking chairs and warm tubs to nitrous oxide, IV medications, and epidurals.

She also enjoys leading Centering Pregnancy groups, where women learn and support one another throughout pregnancy. Being bilingual in Spanish allows her to connect more deeply with patients and co-facilitate Spanish-language groups.

Trish treasures the strong team approach at Catawba, working alongside dedicated nurses, physicians, and fellow midwives to ensure safe, personalized, and compassionate care for every family.

Our aim is to provide exceptional healthcare services delivered by a compassionate team committed to enhancing the overall well-being of the community we serve. See below for our full list of Locations.