Birthplace

Having a baby is one of the biggest and most exciting events of your life.

Our experienced team at the Birthplace at Palmetto Health welcomed more than 5,500 babies last year, and we are committed to doing all we can to make your stay as pleasant as possible while practicing the highest standards of medical care. The Birthplace is designed for the convenience and privacy of new moms. Our spacious, private birthing rooms feature birthing beds where mothers labor and deliver their babies. We also have beautifully decorated postpartum rooms that emphasize the special needs of a new mother.

Our care for expecting and new mothers includes:

• High-risk obstetrics unit – Specially designed to assist mothers who are in expected labor, premature labor or are sick.
• Infant security – The safety and security of you and your child is of utmost importance to Palmetto Health. Many steps have been taken to assure your safety. Your nurse will instruct you about these steps during your admission process.
• The Nesting Place – Our Nesting Place unit is designed for modified mother and baby care, sometimes called couplet care. One nurse cares for both mother and baby in the Nesting Place and as long as your baby’s condition is stable you may keep him or her with you at all times. Our rooming-in policy allows you to care for your baby and to continue the bonding process.
• Baby photos – With your permission, we will place your baby's picture on our web site as our free gift to you. This enables family and friends from nearby or far away to quickly share your exciting news.

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Birthplace education classes

Our maternal and childbirth classes will help get you and your family off to a great start. Classes are designed to make your birth experience positive and rewarding. Our childbirth education program is designed to meet your unique education needs and prepare you and your family for your pregnancy, birth, and parenting experience.

Click here to learn more about our childbirth classes

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Why trust Palmetto Health for maternity services?

• We welcomed more than 7,200 babies last year, more than any hospital system in the Midlands.
• We’re home to the area's only certified maternal-fetal specialists and prenatal genetic counseling for high-risk pregnancies.
• We have the area's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), providing the highest level of care for the state’s smallest critically ill babies and those with special needs.
• We offer delivery and rooming options for natural childbirth as well as those with some assistance from anesthesia. We also offer 24-hour infant rooming-in, allowing families to begin the bonding process right after delivery. Palmetto Health Baptist has all-private NICU rooms for instant bonding with your new baby. 
• We provide breastfeeding assistance by board certified lactation consultants for new moms choosing to breastfeed, and our Birthplace Education classes can help to prepare you for your new arrival.
• Palmetto Health Baptist, Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Tuomey are the only Baby-Friendly designated hospitals in the Midlands area.
• All of our maternity care locations – Palmetto Health Baptist, Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge, Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Tuomey – have been designated as Blue Distinction® centers by BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina and BlueChoice® Health Plan of South Carolina for the safe, effective care we provide to our patients.

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Postpartum emotions

Pregnancy and birth bring about many changes in a woman's body. These changes, both physical and emotional, are quite complex. Often after delivery, women experience alterations in their mood that may range from very mild to severe negative emotional feelings. Our team can help you to be aware of these changing emotions, know how to cope with them, and connect you with resources that are available to help.

Palmetto Health Women's Services

Our women’s services team is dedicated to meeting women's health needs throughout all phases of life, from young womanhood to childbirth to menopause. Our Women's Services team offers: 

• Comprehensive breast health services, including mammography and stereotactic needle biopsy.
• Gynecologists and obstetricians who offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment methods, including hysterectomies.
• Diagnostic labs for prenatal procedures such as amniocentesis, genetics testing and counseling, CVS (early diagnostic tool for your baby) and ultrasound.