Piedmont Fayette Hospital's maternity center welcomed its 1,000th baby into the world this week.

Wyatt Asa Walker was born Monday, Aug. 6 at 9:41 pm to Mike and Ashley Walker from Palmetto, Georgia.

Dr. Heather Turner of Peachtree Fayette Women's Specialists was the delivering physician.

Little Wyatt, weighing 8 pounds and measuring 21.5 inches long, received a gift basket and flowers of congratulations from Piedmont Fayette Hospital and staff.

"We welcome with joy the newest addition to the Piedmont Fayette family," said William T. Cook, M.D. of Peachtree Fayette Women’s Specialists. "We are proud of our maternity staff who works hard every minute of every day to deliver quality care and compassionate care to these families."

Ashley Walker was raised in Fayette County and both of Wyatt's parents attended Landmark Christian Academy. The Walkers were excited when PFH opened the Maternity Center and specifically sought obstetricians that could deliver their baby at Piedmont Fayette Hospital.

"This has been a great experience, and the nurses and doctors have all been just wonderful. It was great just being a few minutes down the road when it was time for Wyatt to be born," said Mike Walker. "Wyatt's grandparents and great grandparents are in the local area too, and it has been a blessing that everyone could enjoy this exciting time together."

The Maternity Center opened in late September 2006 and provides expectant mothers with three private suites to labor, deliver and recover all in one room. There are two surgical rooms for cesarean sections and seven private rooms for postpartum care where mother, baby and family can recover together.

In addition, the hospital has added neo-natologists for the Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

PFH Auxiliary recently donated keepsake baby spoons that are engraved with “Delivered with love at Piedmont Fayette Hospital” to each baby born at the hospital as well as a cart to help staff and families when being discharged.

A local knitting group is knitting baby hats for the PFH babies, and local Girl Scouts have donated sibling packets.

Community support continues as members have donated a variety of items including artwork for the maternity center. The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fayette donated approximately 14 rocking chairs to the Maternity Center by securing donations from various Fayette businesses to provide the rockers.

For information about childbirth classes or tours of the Maternity Center at PFH, visit www.fayettehospital.org.