Level II Special Care Nursery

The birth of a premature or ill newborn is an often unexpected and overwhelming experience. But at the Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center, you can take comfort knowing that expert care is right down the hall.

The birthing center, a Level II Nursery, provides highly specialized care for infants born 32 weeks and up with a wide range of needs. Some of the most common ways we help include:

• Breathing support: Assisted ventilation for up to 24 hours, along with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for babies who need additional respiratory support
• Feeding assistance: Providing nutrition and nourishment through a tube down the nose or mouth until baby can feed normally
• Stabilizing body temperature: Using a special humidicrib , which acts a like a womb to provide baby a warm place to grow

Care You Can Count On

The nursery is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with board-certified pediatricians and nurses specially trained in promoting newborn growth and recovery. Our team also includes respiratory and physical therapists, dietitians and other experts who work together to meet your baby’s needs in a warm and nurturing setting.

Most newborns admitted to our special care nursery are moderately ill and expected to improve quickly. Should any complications arise, our telemedicine affiliation with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) lets us work closely with perinatologists, neonatologists and other specialists for expert attention, right away.

We also have babies transferred here who no longer need the higher level of care at MUSC but aren’t strong enough to go home yet. This ensures parents can stay close to home and family while their little one gets the extra care they need.

Parent Participation

Bonding with a baby in our special care nursery is as important as bonding with any newborn. We encourage you to visit often and spend as much time with your little one as possible. As you prepare to go home, our team will provide all the education and tools you need to continue baby’s care. We’ll also check in to monitor progress and address any needs or concerns you may have.

Learn More About Our Special Care Nursery

For more information about our newborn care or any of our maternity services, please call 843-522-5176. And be sure to take our free Birthing Center tour to see the special features of our recent $6 million renovation.