Labor and delivery

Our hospital-based birth centers provide the care you want during one of the most memorable times of your life. We offer a range of supportive services, all in the safety of a hospital setting, including pain management, as well as care for low-intervention, unmedicated births. A healthy birth for you and your baby is our most important goal, so we are also extremely attentive when your health or the health of your baby is at stake.

Maternal fetal medicine (MFM) services

For women with high-risk pregnancies or complications that require advanced prenatal care, Mission Health’s MFM doctors, also called perinatologists, are right by your side every step of the way, working collaboratively with other clinical specialists on your team. Our perinatologists support women with complex conditions before, during, and after pregnancy. Learn more about our perinatal nurse navigator for high-risk deliveries.

Mission Health is home to Western North Carolina’s only Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where neonatal experts provide around-the-clock care if your baby has an illness or is born prematurely. Should you need it, our infant transport team provides service for babies requiring transfer to the NICU. The ability to travel by air and ground allows the team to travel in any type of situation or weather.

Register for labor and delivery

To start the process, you can easily register online by completing the form below.

Unmedicated birth services

Our certified nurse midwives (CNMs) provide low-intervention birth support using unique features and amenities. CNMs can offer hydrotherapy for laboring, birthing balls and tips for helpful birth positions. We also provide skin-to-skin contact immediately after you give birth and rooming in with your baby after birth to encourage bonding. Additionally, we welcome you to bring music and aromatherapy, and your doula is welcome to be at your side during labor and delivery.

After a safe and healthy birth, you and your newborn will be transitioned to our mother-baby unit, a quiet and family-centered environment where you and your baby can bond. Postpartum nurses and lactation consultants can offer breastfeeding support. Highly skilled and specialized nurses will provide newborn care information so you feel prepared and ready for when it’s time to leave the hospital.

Once you are home, you can call our “warm line” for answering your questions from home. Outpatient services are also available. For an appointment or questions related to our services, please call (828) 213-1103.

Newborn photography services

Mission Hospital partners with Bella Baby Photography to offer parents the opportunity to share the joy of their newborn’s birth with family and friends around the world.

Bella Baby brings experienced photographers to the hospital to capture your baby’s first photograph with a natural, artistic style. Your professional mini photo shoot will take place in the comfort of your hospital room.

When you’re packing for your hospital stay, be sure to pack for your baby’s photos as well. Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for your photo shoot:

• Bring your favorite baby blanket or afghan from home. A beautiful blanket can add texture, color and memories to your newborn’s photo.
• Wear clear or neutral nail polish. The photographers love including parent’s hands in the photos, and a neutral polish will ensure that your baby remains the focus of the pictures.
• Bring a solid black, brown or gray shirt or camisole to wear in the photos. The photographers may photograph the baby in your arms, and these colors will look great in both black & white and color prints.

Please note: Photographs are taken before the day of discharge to allow the photographer time to show you the pictures.

You can then view your photos online 14 days after the photo shoot. Online viewing and ordering is password protected and only available for those with whom you choose to share your password. Once you receive your password you can enter it on the Bella Baby website. Your photos will display in a numbered slideshow. If you decide to purchase any of the photos, visit the “Order” section for instructions and pricing. Images can be printed in black and white, color, or sepia.

In-hospital breastfeeding support

Our internationally board-certified lactation consultants are available to meet with you during your postpartum stay and teach breastfeeding basics through one-on-one sessions. They can answer your questions and help you be prepared for a confident transition home with your newborn. You'll find expert help and individualized planning for issues such as:

• Collection and storage of breast milk
• Latch-on difficulties
• Milk supply concerns
• Sleepy babies or issues where babies are unable to nurse well
• Sore nipples
• Swelling of the breast (engorgement)
• Your baby is not feeding or wetting enough
• Your baby is not gaining enough weight

We want to support you throughout your journey to parenthood. If you've experienced a pregnancy-related trauma, you likely have specific fears and needs that require specialized support. Our survivor services program at Mission Hospital is designed to help you address your concerns and fears by creating a birth plan with one of our labor and delivery nurses. We strive to create a safe, calm environment where you feel cared for.

Our hospital offers helpful classes for parents who are expecting. We strive to provide you with helpful, free educational resources that will support you on your journey. You can search for our classes on our events calendar and register online.

Breastfeeding class

Get breastfeeding off to the best start possible with our virtual breastfeeding basics class, taught by our international board-certified lactation consultants. This class is designed for expectant mothers where we prepare you for breastfeeding before your newborn arrives. It is a free class, and is held online.

Expectant parent orientation

Whether you have already decided on us as your hospital choice, or if you are still in the decision-making process, our orientation class, taught by our registered nurses, can help. This virtual class is designed to help you plan for your upcoming delivery. We will cover topics, such as finding your way around the hospital campus, what to expect during your stay and even go over tips for preparing to bring your baby home.