Charleston Birth Place

Address: 9133 Timber Street, N Charleston, SC 29464
Birth Place website: http://charlestonbirthplace.com
Phone: 843-818-1123
Birth Place website: http://charlestonbirthplace.com
Phone: 843-818-1123
Directions from I-26 and Parking Information:
Take I-26 to Highway 78 East/University Boulevard, exit #205B. Turn right on Tricom street. Tricom ends at a curve in the road, becoming Timber. The Birth Center is on your right. Parking is free.
Labor and Delivery Location:
The building is a duplex with the birth center on the left and the prenatal clinic and offices on the right. There are 2 birthing rooms.
AMENITIES
What are the rooms like?
Each room has a unique, home-like decor with murals, a queen-size bed, private bath with shower, sofa, stereo and large birth pool.
Cafeteria/vending?
There is a kitchen in the family waiting room containing a microwave, toaster oven, blender, coffee pot and refrigerator. Families can bring their own food from home or get take out from the many nearby restaurants.
Are snacks available for labor support team?
All families are given a list of suggested snacks to bring to the center.
Is a microwave available?
Yes.
TV/DVD Available?
There are no televisions as this distracts from family communication. Free wifi is available.
Showers/Tubs/Jacuzzis in Rooms?
Yes; each room has a large, 300 gallon, commercially built-in birth pool with LED color lights, warm air bubble jets, jacuzzi jets, and a massage sprayer; as well as a private bathroom with a shower.
Is Waterbirth Available?
Yes. 90% of CBP families choose water birth. The midwives are both certified in water birth from Water Birth International.
Monitoring by Telemetry Available?
No. Intermittent monitoring only.
Are birth balls provided?
Yes.
Are birthing stools available?
Yes.
Squat bar available?
The bed is not a standard hospital bed; you may squat if desired. There are also grab bars to facilitate squatting in each of the birth tubs.
Mirror available?
Yes.
POLICIES
What may moms eat or drink in labor?
Moms are encouraged to eat and drink whatever they choose.
What is the policy about monitoring of low-risk mothers? Intermittent? Continuous?
An initial monitor strip, usually less than 20 minutes, is done to assess the baby's ability to tolerate labor. Then intermittent monitoring is done using a hand-held doppler.
Is a fetoscope or hand-held doppler available?
Yes; both a fetoscope and a waterproof doppler are available.
Routine Saline Lock/IV?
IV medications and fluids are available if needed but no IV is required or routine.
What types of pain medications are/aren't available?
IV medications are available such as Nubain. The facility does not offer epidural or spinal analgesia. The center plans to offer acupuncture and nitrous oxide in the near future. In addition, the center encourages non-pharmacologic pain relief methods such as hydrotherapy, massage, sterile water ampule injection, aromatherapy, and a TENS unit.
What is the policy about microwaving heat packs?
A microwavable flax seed pack is provided by the center.
Is breastfeeding promoted prior to newborn assessment?
Yes.
Can all newborn assessments be performed in room with baby's parents?
Yes, everything is done in the same room.
Is there any mandatory separation of mother and baby?
No; mother and baby are always together until discharge.
Can baby room-in?
Yes.
Is there a lactation consultant on staff?
Yes.
Does the facility staff Certified Nurse-Midwives?
Yes! The only birth attendants present are CNMs; in addition each birth is assisted by either a second CNM or an OB nurse.
STATISTICS
Cesarean section rate: 5-10%; in 2009 it was 7%
Breastfeeding rate: 98%
Intact perineum rate: 89% with zero 3rd or 4th degree tears
Take I-26 to Highway 78 East/University Boulevard, exit #205B. Turn right on Tricom street. Tricom ends at a curve in the road, becoming Timber. The Birth Center is on your right. Parking is free.
Labor and Delivery Location:
The building is a duplex with the birth center on the left and the prenatal clinic and offices on the right. There are 2 birthing rooms.
AMENITIES
What are the rooms like?
Each room has a unique, home-like decor with murals, a queen-size bed, private bath with shower, sofa, stereo and large birth pool.
Cafeteria/vending?
There is a kitchen in the family waiting room containing a microwave, toaster oven, blender, coffee pot and refrigerator. Families can bring their own food from home or get take out from the many nearby restaurants.
Are snacks available for labor support team?
All families are given a list of suggested snacks to bring to the center.
Is a microwave available?
Yes.
TV/DVD Available?
There are no televisions as this distracts from family communication. Free wifi is available.
Showers/Tubs/Jacuzzis in Rooms?
Yes; each room has a large, 300 gallon, commercially built-in birth pool with LED color lights, warm air bubble jets, jacuzzi jets, and a massage sprayer; as well as a private bathroom with a shower.
Is Waterbirth Available?
Yes. 90% of CBP families choose water birth. The midwives are both certified in water birth from Water Birth International.
Monitoring by Telemetry Available?
No. Intermittent monitoring only.
Are birth balls provided?
Yes.
Are birthing stools available?
Yes.
Squat bar available?
The bed is not a standard hospital bed; you may squat if desired. There are also grab bars to facilitate squatting in each of the birth tubs.
Mirror available?
Yes.
POLICIES
What may moms eat or drink in labor?
Moms are encouraged to eat and drink whatever they choose.
What is the policy about monitoring of low-risk mothers? Intermittent? Continuous?
An initial monitor strip, usually less than 20 minutes, is done to assess the baby's ability to tolerate labor. Then intermittent monitoring is done using a hand-held doppler.
Is a fetoscope or hand-held doppler available?
Yes; both a fetoscope and a waterproof doppler are available.
Routine Saline Lock/IV?
IV medications and fluids are available if needed but no IV is required or routine.
What types of pain medications are/aren't available?
IV medications are available such as Nubain. The facility does not offer epidural or spinal analgesia. The center plans to offer acupuncture and nitrous oxide in the near future. In addition, the center encourages non-pharmacologic pain relief methods such as hydrotherapy, massage, sterile water ampule injection, aromatherapy, and a TENS unit.
What is the policy about microwaving heat packs?
A microwavable flax seed pack is provided by the center.
Is breastfeeding promoted prior to newborn assessment?
Yes.
Can all newborn assessments be performed in room with baby's parents?
Yes, everything is done in the same room.
Is there any mandatory separation of mother and baby?
No; mother and baby are always together until discharge.
Can baby room-in?
Yes.
Is there a lactation consultant on staff?
Yes.
Does the facility staff Certified Nurse-Midwives?
Yes! The only birth attendants present are CNMs; in addition each birth is assisted by either a second CNM or an OB nurse.
STATISTICS
Cesarean section rate: 5-10%; in 2009 it was 7%
Breastfeeding rate: 98%
Intact perineum rate: 89% with zero 3rd or 4th degree tears