A: People: Parents and professionals creating family-centered care.

Place: Caring, warm and homelike setting where you are supported and respected as well as safe and secure.
Program of Care: Balancing the human touch and technology to give you the time and attention you need before, during and after the birth.

Part of the Health Care System: Complete network of maternity and women's health services covered by major health insurance plans.

Practice of Midwifery: Provided by any qualified provider who practices a wellness and holistic approach to pregnancy, birth, and women's health care.

A: Birth centers are designed for healthy, low risk mothers and healthy babies. It's a very relaxed atmosphere in a birth center. It feels more like somebody's really well kept home, than a hospital. There are kitchens where people can bring their own food and cook in the birth center. The center is equipped with whirlpools and mothers are encouraged to walk, eat, drink and get into positions that are comfortable for them during labor and birth. At birth, the baby is immediately placed into the hands of the mother. Each mother receives careful guidance in the first few hours after birth so that when she is discharged a few hours later, she will feel confident in her ability to breastfeed and care for her baby. The nurse-midwife closely follows the family via phone as well as home and office visits for the first few weeks of the new baby's life.There is also a lot of privacy at the birth center because of its low volume. We don't have 15 or 20 women giving birth at the same time. One, or maybe two, women will be in the birth center at the same time.

A: Giving birth is one of the most memorable and intimate experiences you will ever have. That's why choosing the place where you'll give birth is such an important decision. A freestanding birth center offers a great alternative to both home and hospital settings. At Charleston Birth Place, you have the luxury of privacy and the assurance of safety. A birth suite offers the comfort of your own home with a private bedroom, bathroom and whirlpool. In a birth center, you will be surrounded by people whom you have chosen to support you – there will be no strangers.

A: Charleston Birth Place is licensed by the State of South Carolina Department of Health and Enviromental Control, the regulating body for birth centers. Each year a state inspector will come to review the birth center for the state-defined standards of safety. The center is nationally accredited through the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. A voluntary process, the Certificate of Accreditation symbolizes the excellence a center has achieved in providing quality care to childbearing families. Charleston Birth Place is the only nationally accredited birth center in South Carolina.

A: Generally, any healthy woman who expects a normal pregnancy and labor can use the birth center. An example of some but not all conditions that are not appropriate for birth center care include twins, previous C-section, chronic hypertension, insulin dependent diabetes, or a BMI greater than 35 prior to pregnancy. To calculate your body mass index follow this link: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/. If you have questions please call the birth center (843-818-1123) or e-mail (see contact tab) to see if you are a birth center candidate. Our midwives will provide you with detailed information on risk factors during the orientation session.

A: Midwives have a long tradition of caring for women. Indeed, midwife means "with woman". Today's Certified Nurse-Midwife carries on this proud tradition combining rigorous scientific, clinical and academic training with genuine sensitivity to clients and their care. Your nurse-midwife is qualified to provide primary well-woman gynecological care throughout the life cycle as well as OB care when you are pregnant. If at any point in your care it is deemed advisable, your nurse-midwife will consult with and/or refer you to an appropriate specialist. By choosing a nurse-midwife, you may truly receive the best of both worlds.

A: If a woman develops problems during her pregnancy, labor, birth or postpartum period, we work with our collaborating physicians to get her whatever care, in whatever setting, that will help her and her baby the most. Rarely does an emergency situation arise, even in labor – and if it does, your professional birth team institutes the appropriate emergency measure and transports to Trident Regional Medical Center, which is less than one mile away. There our collaborating physicians will work with your midwife as a team to provide you and your baby with the care needed for a safe birth. After your baby's birth and your discharge home, the birth center resumes your follow-up care. Our midwives are certified in out of hospital OB emergencies. All the necessary emergency medical equipment is maintained in the center and the staff is trained in its use. Charleston Birth Place has the latest in newborn resucitation equipment and a transport incubator.

A:Repeated studies have shown the answer to this question to be "Yes" – if you have had a normal, healthy pregnancy. The CNM and nurse will intermittently listen to the baby's heart with a hand-held doppler. If any abnormalities are heard, they will listen continuously and transfer if they think there is any danger to the baby. Studies have shown that in a normal population, this routine is as safe as a fetal monitor. Clinical trials have also failed to show that continuous electronic fetal monitoring results in healthier babies, except when limited to women and fetuses known to be at high risk. It is clear, however, that continuous electronic fetal monitoring does result in a higher cesarean section rate.

A:
- May speed up labor
- Gives mother more feelings of control
- Provides moderate pain relief
- Promotes relaxation , conserving maternal energy
- Enables the mother to assume any position which is comfortable for labor and birth
- Gives mother a private protected space
- Is highly rated by mothers – typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again
- Is highly rated by experienced providers
- Gentler birth for baby

All moms are encouraged to labor in the pools. Many will choose to stay in the water for birth but it is her choice. We also have large beds & birth stools. We feel mothers will assume the position that is best for them.

A:Most insurances will pay some or all of the fee. The cost of the birth center is almost half of the cost of a normal birth in the hospital and your risk of cesarean section (at a higher cost) is considerably less. Our office manager will work closely with you and your insurance company.

A: The first step to becoming a birth center client is to attend an orientation session and tour. We offer a free group tour on Wed evenings at 7 PM or you can schedule a private session for $75.00 during normal clinic hours. At the orientation session you will watch a short film, meet one of our midwives, tour the facility and have the oppertunity to learn more about the unique experience of birth center care including fees and insurance. To schedule a session please call the office at 843-818-1123.