Midwife center welcomes 100th baby
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The Midwife Center for Birth and Women's Health in the Strip District helped its 100th baby into the world yesterday, Genevieve Dynphna Schmiedicke at 6:11 a.m.
Genevieve weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and is the sister of Adrienne Anna Schmiedicke, the first baby born at the center on Aug. 6, 2003.
The center relocated from Allegheny General Hospital in 2000 after the West Penn Allegheny Health System announced its closing. Following a re-incorporation into a non-profit practice and a capital campaign, the center moved into its new location in May 2003. It is the only independent birth center Pittsburgh.
"I think it signifies the demand and need for a licensed free-standing birth center as an alternative to giving birth in a hospital," said Christine Haas, the center's executive director.
"This family is a good example of this because they came all the way from Steubenville."
Genevieve's mother, Katherine Schmiedicke, had started researching birth options before Adrienne's birth. As a member of a large family, she was familiar with relatives' hospital birth experiences and some of their disappointments.
"There's none of that here at all. You kind of have it your way.
"We just really loved the atmosphere, the care they were offering," she said. "So when we found out we were expecting our second baby, we knew right away we were coming back."
Katherine, 24, Genevieve and dad, Matthew, also 24, all were headed back to Steubenville, Ohio, last night to introduce Genevieve to Adrienne.
Katherine and Matthew Schmiedicke with their daughter Genevieve, who yesterday morning became the 100th baby born at the Midwife Center for Birth and Women's Health in the Strip District.
First Published March 15, 2005 12:00 am
