Labor and delivery

During labor and birth, a wireless patch system will monitor your and your baby's heart rate. The patches are waterproof, allowing you to shower during labor. If you need a higher level of care, our maternal-fetal medicine department provides comprehensive high-risk pregnancy services.

The six birthing rooms in our hospital are designed to make your labor and delivery as safe and comfortable as possible. Each room has a birthing bed, fetal monitor and all the equipment necessary to accommodate you and the baby during delivery. The rooms also have a television, phone, and sleeper chair for guests.

If you have questions about our labor and delivery services, please call the nursery at (843) 692-1188, or the Maternity Center nurse's station at (843) 692-1840.

If you require a C-section, also known as a cesarean section, we have an in-unit C-section suite, as well as a surgical suite on the first floor. Your partner may be present during a C-section if you have an epidural or spinal anesthesia. Other family members are not permitted if you receive general anesthesia.

Our anesthesia and nursing teams are committed to making you as comfortable as possible during your birthing experience. A variety of pain management options are available, including epidural and intrathecal anesthesia.

We understand you may want to share this happy occasion with loved ones, but it's important to remember that this is an essential time for you and your baby to bond and rest. At this time, our policy is to allow two visitors to be present for your birth, provided that they meet the hospital’s health screening requirements. Please see our hospital's visitor guidelines for more information on having guests during your time at the hospital.

Immediately after your child's birth, they are weighed, footprinted, given ID bracelets and promptly returned to you. You may breastfeed and bond for an hour before you are moved to your postpartum room to rest, and your baby is transferred to the nursery for admission assessment. This includes a comprehensive head-to-toe evaluation. Once your baby's temperature is stabilized, we bathe them. You and your partner may participate in bath time if you desire.

Birth certificates

During your stay, a representative from the medical records department will visit or call you to record information for your baby's birth certificate and social security number. The hospital will forward this information to Columbia, South Carolina. Approximately six to eight weeks after the birth, the birth certificate will be available at the Horry County courthouse.

Infant nursery

You may keep your newborn with you as long as you wish. Your baby can be cared for in the nursery whenever you need to rest or enjoy some quiet time. Always check for identification before handing your baby to a healthcare worker. Our maternity team members wear turquoise and gray scrubs and have pink borders on their name badges. Your baby must be in the bassinet when transported to and from the nursery.

Infant health screenings

Before your baby goes home, we will perform the following screening tests:

• Hearing screening — This painless screening is conducted while the baby is sleeping. The baby will be screened twice before a referral is made for additional screening and follow-up.
• Bilirubin screening — A bilirubin screening will test for jaundice by identifying the levels of bilirubin in the blood.
• Blood screening — This test can detect congenital diseases that could cause serious harm if untreated. We will send blood samples to the state lab, and the results will be available for your pediatrician within four weeks.
• Pulse oximetry — This painless test checks for any critical congenital heart abnormalities and can detect certain ones before any signs or symptoms are present.

Level II Special Care Nursery

We have a two-bed Level II Special Care Nursery fully equipped to support infants born at or after 32 weeks who need extra attention. Our neonatologists staff these care beds 24/7 so your baby's unique needs can get the medical attention they require. It also allows you and your family to remain close to your newborn, one of the most important elements in bringing life into the world.

Neonatology care

Our neonatologist will visit your baby for a complete assessment and discuss your newborn's care with you. We encourage you to select and meet with a pediatrician well before your due date.

Postpartum room

The private postpartum room is just down the hall from the birthing room and is decorated with soft, tranquil colors. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, hardwood floors, a television, a phone and a closet. Rooming-in with your baby is available and encouraged 24/7. To help family members and guests feel at home, each room also has a glider rocker and a sleeper sofa chair.