Since 2008, 400 babies have been born at the Juneau Family Health and Birth Center. April 25 marked the day when Alden Michael Bethel entered this world as the 400th baby birthed at the center. Weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz., he was born to Suzy Bethel, assisted by midwives Madi Nolan Grimes and Johanna Crossett and midwifery apprentice Jess Dean.
The original Juneau Family Birth Center opened April 1, 1998, and was built by over 70 volunteers with many community-donated building supplies. In July 2008, after a seven year fundraising effort, the center was able to move into the specially designed, stand-alone birth and health center.
The birth center is currently staffed by three full-time midwives providing prenatal, birth and postpartum care to women in Southeast Alaska.
