Start Here
Start Your Journey with Charleston Birth Place
Start Here
Start Your Journey with Charleston Birth Place
More and more families are choosing to welcome their babies in birth centers, and for good reason. Research shows that childbirth is easier and safer when women have continuous supportive care throughout pregnancy and birth and when the environment is designed for comfort, privacy, and movement in labor. We are honored that you are considering Charleston Birth Place for your care.
More and more families are choosing to welcome their babies in birth centers, and for good reason. Research shows that childbirth is easier and safer when women have continuous supportive care throughout pregnancy and birth and when the environment is designed for comfort, privacy, and movement in labor. We are honored that you are considering Charleston Birth Place for your care.
Step One:
Confirm That Charleston Birth Place
Meets Your Needs
Step One:
Confirm That Charleston Birth Place
Meets Your Needs
Women with these conditions are eligible for a birth center birth:
- Healthy, expecting a low-risk uncomplicated pregnancy and birth
- Pregnant with one baby
- Pregnant person has a pre-pregnant BMI < 35 for 1st baby and < 40 for second or more pregnancies. – BMI calculator link: https://www.calculator.net/bmi-calculator.html
- Baby is head down (not breech)
- No prior C-sections (VBAC births are safest with continuous monitoring, which is not available in the Birth Center)
- Labor begins between 37+0 weeks and 42+0 weeks of pregnancy
- Pregnant person is not taking medication for gestational diabetes
- Prenatal test and ultrasound results do not indicate a need for continuous fetal monitoring, or the level of care provided in a Labor & Delivery room or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
These conditions require a higher level of care than our birth center can offer:
- Previous Cesarean birth
- Breech (bottom first) baby
- Pregnant with more than one baby
- Over age 45
- Pre-pregnant BMI (body mass index) > 35 for 1st baby, >40 for second or more babies. – BMI calculator link: https://www.calculator.net/bmi-calculator.html
- Placental abnormalities
- Baby with known birth defects
- Current cigarette smoker
- Current drug user
- Severe Anemia
- Pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes requiring medications
- Bleeding disorders
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Lupus
- Kidney disease
- Epilepsy/seizure disorder
- Hyperthyroid disease (over-active thyroid) (Note: low or hypothyroid disease that is well managed is acceptable)
- Active Herpes, Syphilis, or HIV positive
If you have any questions or concerns if you are a good candidate for the birth center please email our Executive Director prior to making your first appointment: lesley@charlestonbirthplace.
Step Two:
View The Orientation
Step Two:
View The Orientation
Virtual Walkthrough
Virtual Walkthrough
Our Philosophy of Care
A woman’s health and medical care is a partnership between her and her health care provider. It is our responsibility to provide excellence in her care and education and sensitivity to her concerns and needs. Her health is also her own responsibility, we expect her to communicate with us and participate in decision-making. We acknowledge the value of both traditional and alternative forms of health promotion and treatment. We will listen to our clients, and treat them and their families with respect, dignity, and assurance of confidentiality. Pregnancy and birth are physiological processes that should be subject to as little intervention as possible. The process of birth belongs to the domain of normal human activity and requires medical assistance only when disturbances to normal patterns are present. We offer women choices in place of birth, choosing the appropriate level of expertise and technology. Certified nurse-midwives (CNM), experts in normal childbearing, work independently, and in collaboration with our consulting obstetricians. Together, we are dedicated to taking time to educate, advise, and support the childbearing family.
Our Philosophy of Care
A woman’s health and medical care is a partnership between her and her health care provider. It is our responsibility to provide excellence in her care and education and sensitivity to her concerns and needs. Her health is also her own responsibility, we expect her to communicate with us and participate in decision-making. We acknowledge the value of both traditional and alternative forms of health promotion and treatment. We will listen to our clients, and treat them and their families with respect, dignity, and assurance of confidentiality. Pregnancy and birth are physiological processes that should be subject to as little intervention as possible. The process of birth belongs to the domain of normal human activity and requires medical assistance only when disturbances to normal patterns are present. We offer women choices in place of birth, choosing the appropriate level of expertise and technology. Certified nurse-midwives (CNM), experts in normal childbearing, work independently, and in collaboration with our consulting obstetricians. Together, we are dedicated to taking time to educate, advise, and support the childbearing family.
Learn More About Our Services