Lydia Schmittel, CNM, MSN
Nurse Midwife
About Lydia Schmittel, CNM, MSN
Originally from Apollo, Pennsylvania, Lydia chose midwifery as a profession due to her own personal experience with the supportive, personalized care her midwife provided her during the birth of her children. This support enabled her to reach her goal of an unmedicated VBAC.
“I originally planned to go to medical school to become an obstetrician but decided on being a biology teacher part way through my freshman year,” she said. “I really had no exposure to what a midwife was until my own pregnancies. Once I discovered midwifery care it quickly became clear I was always meant to be a midwife.”
Lydia earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University and worked as a nurse at a busy tertiary care center in Pittsburgh, PA on the postpartum, antepartum, and labor and delivery units. Lydia then earned her master’s degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University and completed her clinical training with The Midwives at Magee at Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC as well as with The Midwife Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
Before moving to Durham, she was a midwife for three and a half years at a community hospital in Northwestern Pennsylvania. She’s also a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives.
She worked as a postpartum, antepartum and labor and delivery nurse at a busy tertiary care center in Pittsburgh, PA prior to becoming a midwife.
“I served a unique population as a midwife taking care of 35% Amish and Mennonite families,” she said. “I enjoy partnering with my patients to achieve their healthcare goals. I firmly believe knowledge is power and strive to help women understand their bodies, their options, and how they can optimize their health. My goal is to make you as comfortable and empowered as possible.”
Lydia lives in the Durham area with her three children. Outside the office, she loves hiking, gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.
They share their home with two dogs, a Bernedoodle named Leo and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sawyer. They also have two adopted cats.
Outside the office, she loves hiking, gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family
Qualifications
Education
Frontier Nursing University
Insurance Information
Our practice accepts most major insurances. However, we encourage you to call your insurance provider about your coverage.
Aetna
Alliance PPO
BCBS
Beechstreet
First Health
Healthcare Savings PPO
MAMSI PPO
MedCost
One Health
Optimum Choice
Patient’s Choice
Primary Physician Care
State Employees Insurance
United Healthcare
Duke Select/Duke Basic
Hospital Affiliations
Chapel Hill Obstetrics and Gynecology
Originally from Apollo, Pennsylvania, Lydia chose midwifery as a profession due to her own personal experience with the supportive, personalized care her midwife provided her during the birth of her children. This support enabled her to reach her goal of an unmedicated VBAC.
“I originally planned to go to medical school to become an obstetrician but decided on being a biology teacher part way through my freshman year,” she said. “I really had no exposure to what a midwife was until my own pregnancies. Once I discovered midwifery care it quickly became clear I was always meant to be a midwife.”
Lydia earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University and worked as a nurse at a busy tertiary care center in Pittsburgh, PA on the postpartum, antepartum, and labor and delivery units. Lydia then earned her master’s degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University and completed her clinical training with The Midwives at Magee at Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC as well as with The Midwife Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
Before moving to Durham, she was a midwife for three and a half years at a community hospital in Northwestern Pennsylvania. She’s also a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives.
She worked as a postpartum, antepartum and labor and delivery nurse at a busy tertiary care center in Pittsburgh, PA prior to becoming a midwife.
“I served a unique population as a midwife taking care of 35% Amish and Mennonite families,” she said. “I enjoy partnering with my patients to achieve their healthcare goals. I firmly believe knowledge is power and strive to help women understand their bodies, their options, and how they can optimize their health. My goal is to make you as comfortable and empowered as possible.”
Lydia lives in the Durham area with her three children. Outside the office, she loves hiking, gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.
They share their home with two dogs, a Bernedoodle named Leo and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sawyer. They also have two adopted cats.
Outside the office, she loves hiking, gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family
Education
Frontier Nursing University