Trident Medical Center
9330 Medical Plaza Drive, Charleston
Main Phone#: 797-7000
Labor & Delivery Phone#: 797-4270

Directions from I-26 and Parking Information:
Exit #205, Highway 78 headed East. Hospital is immediately on the right.

Parking Information:
Parking is free. Complementary valet parking is available until 9 pm.

Labor and Delivery Location:
From Main Entrance, pass desk and elevators will be on your right. Get off at second floor. From Emergency/Outpatient Entrance, go forward until hallway ends. Take a right, pass the staff elevators, bathrooms, and Chapel, then public elevators are on your left.

AMENITIES
What are the rooms like?
Rooms are all Labor-Delivery-Recovery. Some have private bathrooms with a tub/shower; others just have a toilet and sink in the room with no shower or bathtub. Moms must move to a postpartum room within 1-2 hours following birth.
Cafeteria Hours: Breakfast 6:30-9; Lunch 11-2; Dinner 5-7:30. "On the Grill" open until 8 pm.
Vending machines? Yes.
Snacks for labor support team? Juice, coffee and crackers are generally available in Labor & Delivery.
Is a microwave available? Yes.
TV/VCR Available? TV in each room. One mobile VCR on a cart for the entire unit.
Showers/Tubs/Jacuzzis in Rooms? Some have tubs & showers while others don't.
Is Waterbirth Available? No.
Monitoring by Telemetry Available? Yes.
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 on the midwife or physician - range is from "nothing by mouth" to light meals and snacks.
What is the policy about monitoring of low-risk mothers? Intermittent? Continuous?
Continuous external fetal monitoring is the norm. Intermittent is okay depending on the provider.
Is a fetoscope or hand-held doppler available? Hand-held doppler available.
Routine Hep Lock/IV? A Heparin lock is standard but is not required. Negotiated with individual providers.
What is the policy about microwaving heat packs? It is strongly discouraged.
Is breastfeeding promoted prior to newborn assessment? Yes, it is strongly encouraged.
Can all newborn assessments be performed in room with baby's parents? Yes.
Is there any mandatory separation of mother and baby? No. This is usually negotiable with the pediatrician and nursery nurses.
Can baby room-in? Yes. "Motherbaby" is the standard unless baby is sick.
Is there a lactation consultant on staff? Yes; there are three available.
Does the facility staff Certified Nurse-Midwives? Yes.

STATISTICS
Medicated birthing rate: Approximately 90%.
Epidural Rate: Approx. 60% of vaginal births
Induction rate: unknown
C-section rate: unknown

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