WakeMed North to open Monday in Raleigh

In 2002, WakeMed North built their Physicians Pavilion and their North Healthplex campus with doctor's offices and outpatient surgical services. They also added a 24/7 emergency department.

On Monday,WakeMed North will celebrate the opening of their centerpiece, the WakeMed Women's Hospital. The 61-bed facility will provide comprehensive OBGYN services.

"This is one of the fastest-growing areas of Wake County," said Dr. Seth Brody, WakeMed executive medical director. "A lot of new families are coming, so a lot of folks are having babies."

Women in labor first arrive at triage, but are then taken to a labor and delivery room. If the newborn needs intensive care, there will be several NICU rooms available.

"If the patient or the baby would require a higher level of care, then they would be transferred to our higher acuity facility," said VP administrator, Sheri de Shazo.

WakeMed North will also have a surgical suite for performing C-sections.

Tom Cavender, VP of facilities and constructions, said the rooms were designed to look like mini hotel rooms.

"We designed the room to accommodate families sleeping, multiple siblings, multiple families and grandparents," he said.

But only the new mother will be able to handle the "controls."

"From the bedside, mom will be able to control the humidity, control the temperature, control the lighting and control the blinds on the windows," Cavender said.

Wake County is also home to WakeMed Raleigh, WakeMed Cary, Rex Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital.