Western Health delivered 695 babies in August, the most ever in a single month for the healthcare provider.
The Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital welcomed 625 newborns, while at Bacchus Marsh Hospital, there were 70.
Erica Cramond is the postnatal ward manager on level eight of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in St Albans.
She said while August was traditionally a busy month, they had not anticipated such an extreme spike.
“For most maternity units, August and September are usually our busiest months … but we are 300 births up from the previous year,” she said.
“We knew that the numbers were going to be high but I don’t think we predicted it to be quite this high, so it was a little bit shocking to say the least.”
There was an average of 22 to 23 births a day across the month – the busiest day, on August 16, recorded 30 babies born between both hospitals.
Ms Cramond said that the explanation for the rise was simple.
“The area is growing rapidly … so of course with that growth comes new families starting on their journey making little babies,” she said.
“I’ve worked here for seven and a half years and the expansion has been right before my eyes.“
Despite the crunch, the medical staff at Western Health have been both tireless and steadfast in their efforts, said Ms Cramond.
“The entire team of doctors and midwives have worked really hard and collaboratively, which has made sure that our babies and mums are sent back out into the community happy and healthy.”
“It is a really high standard of care for such high numbers.”
Eddie Russell
