Summerville Medical Center
295 Midland Parkway
Main Phone#: 832-5000
Labor & Delivery Phone#: 832-5270

Directions from I-26 and Parking Information:
Exit Hwy 78 West, left on Ladson Road, right on Midland Parkway

Parking Information:
Parking spaces are free and abundant.

Labor and Delivery Location:
from Inpatient Entrance, pass Info desk and take elevators to second floor. Entering through Emergency (off-hours), go forward down hall, take first right, elevators will be a bit down the hall on your left. Labor & Delivery is on the second floor.

AMENITIES
What are the rooms like? There are 6 spacious Labor-Delivery-Recovery rooms with carpeting and bathtubs. Approximately 2-3 hours following birth, moms must move to a smaller, more sparsely furnished postpartum room.
Cafeteria Hours: Weekdays, breakfast is 6:45-9:30, Lunch 11-2, Dinner 5-7pm. Weekend schedule is the same, except breakfast begins at 7:45.
Vending machines? Yes.
Snacks for labor support team? There is a room called "Nutrition" near the nurses' station that stocks fruit juices, crackers, peanut butter, etc. There is also an ice machine.
Is a microwave available? Yes - in nutrition room.
TV/VCR Available? Each room has a TV. One VCR is available for the entire unit.
Showers/Tubs/Jacuzzis in Rooms? LDR rooms have tubs with showers.
Is Waterbirth Available? On occasion. It depends upon the individual physician.
Is 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? This depends upon the individual provider. In general ice chips are en vogue; occasionally clear fluids are also approved.
What is the policy about monitoring of low-risk mothers? After the initial 15 minute EFM "strip", intermittent monitoring is the norm. Generally they listen to the baby each hour in early labor and each half-hour in active labor. Continuous monitoring is done as indicated.
Is a fetoscope or hand-held doppler available? Hand-held doppler available.
Routine Hep Lock/IV? A hep lock is required.
What is the policy about microwaving heat packs? It is okay.
Is breastfeeding promoted prior to newborn assessment? Yes - if requested by parents. Initiation of breastfeeding is encouraged during the first hour postpartum.
Can all newborn assessments be performed in room with baby's parents? This depends on the comfort level of the nursery nurse. They like to give baby a bath in the nursery at some point.
Is there any mandatory separation of mother and baby? No.
Can baby room-in? Yes.
Is there a lactation consultant on staff? Yes.
Does the facility staff Certified Nurse-Midwives? Yes

STATISTICS
Medicated birthing rate? Estimated 80-90% as of 12/03
Epidural Rate? A large portion of the medicated births are epidurals.
Induction rate? Unknown.
C-section rate? Unknown.

Overall rates for Dorchester County 1998-2001*:
Total C-section rate: 22%
Primary C-section rate: 15.5%
VBAC rate: 20%

National C-section Rates 2005:
South Carolina: 32.7%
National: 30.2%