Medical University of South Carolina
Hospital Address: 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston 29403
Hospital website: http://www.muschealth.com/default.htm
Main Phone Number: 792-2300
Labor and Delivery Phone Number: 792-2831
Hospital website: http://www.muschealth.com/default.htm
Main Phone Number: 792-2300
Labor and Delivery Phone Number: 792-2831

Directions from I-26:
At the end of the interstate, take exit 221A (Hwy 17 South). Get in the right lane. Go through the first traffic light, take the Rutledge Avenue exit to the right. Go .5 miles. Turn right on Bee St. MUSC is one block ahead.
Parking Information:
Passenger drop-off and pick-up zones are provided on the horseshoe-shaped drive in front of Children's Hospital entrance on Ashley Avenue. Vehicles must not be left unattended in these zones. If you will be admitted to Medical University Hospital, you are encouraged to use the hospital's main entrance.
Parking garages are located on Jonathan Lucas Street across from the MUSC Medical Center entrance, and on Vanderhorst Street. Parking lots are located on Ashley Avenue across from Children's Hospital, and on President Street. The President Street lot has motorized carts with drivers available to transport you to and from the Medical Center. Handicapped spaces are located on the horseshoe-shaped drive off Ashley Avenue, as well as in the garages and parking lots.
Patients' families may request a reduced rate when their visits exceed two hours, or when there will be multiple short visits on the same day. The patient's full name and room number should be written on the front of the parking facility ticket, then request the reduced rate at the cashier booth when you exit the garage or parking lot. There is a maximum parking charge of $3.00 per day for patients and their families.
Labor and Delivery Location:
Enter main entrance from horseshoe. The main visitor elevators are to the right of the security desk as you enter. Take elevators to the 5th floor. Exit left off elevators and continue until hallway ends. Turn right, then you will have to buzz the nurses' station to be permitted through the double doors. Follow to end of hallway and turn left onto labor and delivery wing, 5W.
Visiting Hours:
9:00 am-9:00 pm
AMENITIES
What are the rooms like?
The 9 Labor-Delivery-Recovery rooms are newly renovated as of August 2010. Families move to a Postpartum room within 1-2 hours following birth.
Cafeteria Hours:
Breakfast 6:15-10:00 am; Lunch 11:00 am-2:00 pm; Dinner 4:30-7:00 pm (Lunch and Dinner not available on Saturdays; however the cafeteria at Ashley River Tower is open seven days a week and there are additional restaurants on the MUSC campus. Each nurses' station has a complete list of area restaurants.)
Vending machines?
Yes.
Snacks for labor support team?
Juice and crackers are available.
Is a microwave available?
Yes.
TV/DVD Available?
TV and Wifi are in each room.
Showers/Tubs/Jacuzzis in Rooms?
There are showers in the Labor and Delivery rooms.
Is Waterbirth Available?
No.
Monitoring by Telemetry Available?
No.
Are birth balls provided?
Yes.
Are birthing stools available?
No.
Squat bar?
Yes.
Mirror?
Yes.
POLICIES
What may moms eat or drink in labor?
Generally either ice chips and clear fluids or nothing by mouth (NPO), depending on the care provider.
What is the policy about monitoring of low-risk mothers? Intermittent? Continuous?
Intermittent monitoring can be requested; this depends on the physician or midwife.
Is a fetoscope or hand-held doppler available?
Hand-held doppler monitoring is available.
Routine Saline Lock/IV?
At minimum, placement of a saline lock is routine.
What is the policy about microwaving heat packs?
It's fine.
Is breastfeeding promoted prior to newborn assessment?
Yes, if requested. All nurses are trained in basic breastfeeding techniques.
Can all newborn assessments be performed in room with baby's parents?
Yes.
Is there any mandatory separation of mother and baby?
Immediate skin-to-skin motherbaby care is encouraged, but baby is routinely moved to a radiant warmer in the room for assessments and eye oinment/Vitamin K.
Can baby room-in?
Yes, family-centered care is now standard for healthy babies.
Is there a lactation consultant on staff?
Yes; there are several.
Does the facility staff Certified Nurse-Midwives?
Yes.
What is the policy about photography and videotaping?
Both are allowed; during pushing it is strongly suggested that the photographer/videographer stand at the head of the bed.
Misc:
Be aware that this is a teaching hospital and you may have students & residents facilitating and observing your labor and birth, unless you request otherwise.
At the end of the interstate, take exit 221A (Hwy 17 South). Get in the right lane. Go through the first traffic light, take the Rutledge Avenue exit to the right. Go .5 miles. Turn right on Bee St. MUSC is one block ahead.
Parking Information:
Passenger drop-off and pick-up zones are provided on the horseshoe-shaped drive in front of Children's Hospital entrance on Ashley Avenue. Vehicles must not be left unattended in these zones. If you will be admitted to Medical University Hospital, you are encouraged to use the hospital's main entrance.
Parking garages are located on Jonathan Lucas Street across from the MUSC Medical Center entrance, and on Vanderhorst Street. Parking lots are located on Ashley Avenue across from Children's Hospital, and on President Street. The President Street lot has motorized carts with drivers available to transport you to and from the Medical Center. Handicapped spaces are located on the horseshoe-shaped drive off Ashley Avenue, as well as in the garages and parking lots.
Patients' families may request a reduced rate when their visits exceed two hours, or when there will be multiple short visits on the same day. The patient's full name and room number should be written on the front of the parking facility ticket, then request the reduced rate at the cashier booth when you exit the garage or parking lot. There is a maximum parking charge of $3.00 per day for patients and their families.
Labor and Delivery Location:
Enter main entrance from horseshoe. The main visitor elevators are to the right of the security desk as you enter. Take elevators to the 5th floor. Exit left off elevators and continue until hallway ends. Turn right, then you will have to buzz the nurses' station to be permitted through the double doors. Follow to end of hallway and turn left onto labor and delivery wing, 5W.
Visiting Hours:
9:00 am-9:00 pm
AMENITIES
What are the rooms like?
The 9 Labor-Delivery-Recovery rooms are newly renovated as of August 2010. Families move to a Postpartum room within 1-2 hours following birth.
Cafeteria Hours:
Breakfast 6:15-10:00 am; Lunch 11:00 am-2:00 pm; Dinner 4:30-7:00 pm (Lunch and Dinner not available on Saturdays; however the cafeteria at Ashley River Tower is open seven days a week and there are additional restaurants on the MUSC campus. Each nurses' station has a complete list of area restaurants.)
Vending machines?
Yes.
Snacks for labor support team?
Juice and crackers are available.
Is a microwave available?
Yes.
TV/DVD Available?
TV and Wifi are in each room.
Showers/Tubs/Jacuzzis in Rooms?
There are showers in the Labor and Delivery rooms.
Is Waterbirth Available?
No.
Monitoring by Telemetry Available?
No.
Are birth balls provided?
Yes.
Are birthing stools available?
No.
Squat bar?
Yes.
Mirror?
Yes.
POLICIES
What may moms eat or drink in labor?
Generally either ice chips and clear fluids or nothing by mouth (NPO), depending on the care provider.
What is the policy about monitoring of low-risk mothers? Intermittent? Continuous?
Intermittent monitoring can be requested; this depends on the physician or midwife.
Is a fetoscope or hand-held doppler available?
Hand-held doppler monitoring is available.
Routine Saline Lock/IV?
At minimum, placement of a saline lock is routine.
What is the policy about microwaving heat packs?
It's fine.
Is breastfeeding promoted prior to newborn assessment?
Yes, if requested. All nurses are trained in basic breastfeeding techniques.
Can all newborn assessments be performed in room with baby's parents?
Yes.
Is there any mandatory separation of mother and baby?
Immediate skin-to-skin motherbaby care is encouraged, but baby is routinely moved to a radiant warmer in the room for assessments and eye oinment/Vitamin K.
Can baby room-in?
Yes, family-centered care is now standard for healthy babies.
Is there a lactation consultant on staff?
Yes; there are several.
Does the facility staff Certified Nurse-Midwives?
Yes.
What is the policy about photography and videotaping?
Both are allowed; during pushing it is strongly suggested that the photographer/videographer stand at the head of the bed.
Misc:
Be aware that this is a teaching hospital and you may have students & residents facilitating and observing your labor and birth, unless you request otherwise.