Center for Women & Children

The Women & Children’s Pavilion encompasses all aspects of care for your maternity and infant needs. From maternal transport to neonatal intensive care, we are able to provide care close to home. During pregnancy, our Birthing Center offers a variety of childbirth and child-care classes, including monthly prenatal classes and tours designed to make the entire family feel more comfortable during this exciting time. Each room in the Birthing Center provides new mothers with the latest in convenience, comfort, and technology. Each phase of the birth experience: labor, delivery, and recovery, takes place in a cozy suite designed to reflect the familiar comforts of home.

Labor & Delivery​

When in labor or scheduled for delivery:

What to do?
Stay in touch with your provider’s office for instructions on when to come in for your delivery. If needed, call the Birthing Center at 828.326.3200 to let them know you are in labor and what your plan is for arriving at the hospital.

Where do I go?
You will be coming to the Birthing Center located in the Pavilion, Center for Women and Children. The Pavilion is located at the Southwest corner of the hospital.

Where do I park?
Directional signs are located at the corner of Fairgrove Church Road and 11th Ave SE. Follow the signs to the Pavilion Parking Lot (do not go to the Emergency Room if you are in Labor). Park as close to the entrance as needed. Wheel chairs are available on the Entry Level. If the inner corridor door does not open, follow the instructions provided for entry.

Where do I go once inside the Pavilion?
Choose Level 2 on the elevator to reach the Birthing Center where you will be shown to one of our 18 Labor & Delivery Suites.

What are my pain management and medication options?
To help manage pain during labor there are several options for use as appropriate. These options include: Birthing and peanut balls, breathing techniques, labor tub in your L&D suite, movement and positioning, and relaxation methods.
Medication options include: Epidural anesthesia, intravenous (IV) pain medication, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

How is the Cesarean process different?
You may have one support person accompany you to the OR. After the birth you will have a short recovery period before returning to your room. Your nurse will keep you informed of when you may receive additional visitors.

Things to know during your stay:

Kangaroo Care
Also known as Skin-to-Skin contact, it is a form of developmental care which, when initiated just after birth, helps regulate your baby’s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.

What is the visitation policy?
COVID-19 positive patients are allowed one consistent visitor. Otherwise, you may elect to have up to three (3) persons 14 years or older with you throughout Labor & Delivery. After a 2-hour bonding period with your baby and your partner, you may elect to have a maximum of five (5) visitors at a time. Visitors may switch out and can be any age.

Birth Certificate
When you are admitted to the hospital you will be given a BIRTH CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION SHEET WITH INSTRUCTIONS. (BRIGHT GREEN PAPERS). It is important to fill out the Registration Sheet according to the instructions, front and back, as soon as you can. Give the ACCURATE AND FULLY COMPLETED sheets to your nurse to give to the Birth Registrar.

Taking Pictures and Video
It is the policy of CVHS to permit limited photography under specific guidelines. Participating staff will educate the photographer to the guidelines.

North Carolina Newborn Screening Program
Your newborn will receive three (3) screenings before being discharged. Tests performed are Metabolic, Hearing, and Heart Screenings. Results for the Hearing and Heart Screenings will be available before you leave the hospital. Your baby’s doctor will give you the results of the Metabolic Screening.

Feeding Options
If you decide to breastfeed your infant there are staff who are trained in assisting mothers to breastfeed. In addition, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are available both in the hospital and after you go home to support you and your baby in your breast-feeding journey.
Bottle feeding is also supported. Bottles and formula are provided for your baby while in the hospital.

Things to be aware of after delivery

Care and support after delivery
Each Labor & Delivery Suite is equiped with a sleeper sofa to provide comfort and rest for your support person without separation from mom or baby during the most important first days of life.

Moving if needed
After delivery, depending on number of patients, time of delivery, and anticipated need of Labor & Delivery Suites, patients will likely be moved to our Postpartum Tower until time for discharge. Our staff will make the arrangements to move belongings to the room.

Length of stay
Minimum stay for regular delivery is 24 hours from time of birth and 48 hours from time of birth for a Cesarean (C-Section) delivery.

Car Seat
Ideally you will have your infant car seat installed and inspected before you come to the hospital to deliver. If you need assistance with installing before or during your stay please contact The POD at 828.326.3062 or SAFE KIDS Catawba County at 828.485.2300 ext. 6206 to schedule an inspection.

For a tour of the Birthing Center, please sign up via our online calendar or contact our Education Center at thepod@cvmc.us.

Thank you for choosing our Birthing Center for your care. Our Birthing Center is led by Rachel Pitts, Director, Women and Children, Birthing Center. Interested in learning more about our Birthing Center? Please call 828.326.3062.​

Safe cesarean sections in Hickory, NC

When an expectant mother chooses or needs a cesarean section, the surgeons supervising the procedure need a clean, spacious workspace to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Catawba Valley Medical Center has a state-of-the-art cesarean surgical suite in the birthing center so that our team can quickly perform the operation in the event of an emergency.

We have taken every precaution so that you and your child can receive the highest quality of care. Along with your physician and surgical team, a neonatal nurse practitioner and respiratory therapist will be present during the operation to ensure that your baby receives optimal care at delivery.

Benefits of a C-Section Birth

Most patients prefer to undergo vaginal birth rather than a c-section, and in most cases this is the recommended option. There are some situations where a cesarean section is the best option.

C-sections may be recommended in instances where:

• A vaginal birth would put too much strain on the baby or mother
• The mother has had a c-section before and is not a candidate for a trial of labor after cesarean

After the Operation

You and your partner will have ample opportunity to visit with your baby during the course of the C-section. When the procedure is completed, you, your partner, and your baby will be relocated to the post-anesthesia care unit for further evaluation. Breastfeeding can be initiated during recovery. In all of our birthing procedures, our goal is to keep you and the baby close together throughout the entire process.

Our facility is designed to facilitate all your family-centered birth choices.

Movement During Labor – For a majority of women, walking and changing positions through the labor process is beneficial for emotional as well as physical comfort.

Water Therapy – Deep soaking tubs and warm showers to enhance relaxation and comfort.

Wireless Waterproof Monitoring – Wireless monitoring maximizes mobility and leaves you unattached to a machine allowing you to walk around, fully use the birthing suite and the deep soaking tub, while your nurse monitors your baby.

Massage – Massage decreases tension, encourages relaxation, and enhances the release of endorphins, which create a greater sense of calm and well-being during labor.

Soothing Music – To enhance the mood and your relaxation, music can be played on the DVD player available in your room. We encourage you to bring your favorite CDs from home.

Labor Ball – A large gym ball, used prenatally as well as during labor to ease back pain, promotes comfort and facilitates the progress of labor. It is available in different sizes.

Birthing Stool – A comfortable way for women to use a squatting position to facilitate labor and delivery.

Doula – Many women or couples find reassurance and greater confidence during childbirth with the assistance of a doula (pronounced doo-la). A doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous emotional and physical support during labor.

Peanut Ball – A large peanut-shaped ball used during labor to promote fetal rotation and descent by widening and opening the pelvis.

Analgesia & Anesthesia – If needed or desired, intravenous or epidural medications can be administered 24 hours a day by trained personnel. CVMC’s Birthing Center has an anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist on staff at all times to meet your needs.

Nitrous Oxide – Used for pain relief during labor and delivery, it gives patients another option for pain management in addition to IV pain medications or an epidural. It relieves pain, decreases stress, and causes excitement or happiness.

The Pediatric Department is an environment designed to reassure children. Along with a professional staff with many years of experience in treating children, this environment encourages a speedier recovery.

Features of the Pediatric Department:

• All staff have specialized training in caring for children
• All registered nurses in the Pediatric Department are or are becoming certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Educational materials are available to help explain your child’s illness
• All rooms are private
• Every room is equipped with wide-screen TVs and video game stations are available by request
• A toy room is fully stocked with DVDs, video games, books, board games, puzzles, wagons, and toys to make your child’s stay as pleasurable as possible
• We also offer pet therapy dogs – only with your permission

Frequently Asked Questions

May I stay with my child?
Yes, definitely. Parents are encouraged to visit 24 hours a day. We promote at least one adult to stay with the child at all times.

Who is allowed to visit?
If your child’s condition permits, brothers and sisters may visit during the day and evening, as long as they do not have any signs of illness. Other visitors are allowed during the day and evening depending on your child’s condition and what you want.

For more information about the Pediatric Unit, comments and questions or for a tour of the Pediatric unit, please call 828.326.3907

Take Full Advantage of the Benefits of Breastfeeding

At Catawba Valley Medical Center we believe that breastmilk is the ideal nutrition for infants. Research continues to prove the benefits of breastmilk and breastfeeding to infants and mothers. Some of those benefits include protection from many common illnesses for infants such as ear infections and allergies; and lower risks of breast and ovarian cancer for mothers. In addition, it is at the right temperature and is just the right amount of nutrition your baby needs!

In 2021 CVMC achieved the North Carolina Maternity Center Breastfeeding-Friendly Designation! We are one of only 14 in the state to be recognized by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health. This initiative promotes a continuum of quality improvement and is endorsed by the North Carolina Healthcare Association and the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force.

Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Center for Women and Children supports your decision to breastfeed your infant and work to make it the best experience it can be. We offer prenatal breastfeeding classes to help you learn more about breastfeeding prior to delivering your baby. Once you have delivered, there are staff who are trained in assisting mothers to breastfeed. In addition, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are available both in the hospital and after you go home to support you and your baby in your breast-feeding journey.

The POD offers breastfeeding supplies including breast pump rentals and sales, nursing bras and gowns with a bra fitter, and breast pump supplies.

If you have questions or concerns regarding breastfeeding, before or after you have your baby, please call our Breastfeeding Helpline at 828.326.2086.

We look forward to helping to make your breastfeeding experience the best one possible!