Birth numbers have been on the rise as Ballarat’s population grows, particularly in new suburbs like Lucas, Ballarat Health Services women and child services nursing director Carolyn Robertson said.

Over six babies were born within 24 hours of each other on six days this month so far.

“We went for years when September was always very busy and everyone blamed it on Christmas and New Year,” Ms Robertson said. 

“Our bookings are a constantly moving feast, we know what we’ve got booked so far but there’s always a few that come early and a few that come late.”

A bumper start to the New Year was preceded by a quiet December, which had just 88 births and the lowest number of births for the year, Ms Robertson said. 

Overall there were just under 1,200 births at the hospital last year. 

January last year also had the highest number of births for 2016, with 128 births.

This February is set to see another bumper number of babies with 129 births already booked – two more than February last year.The most popular months after January and February last year were May with 126 births followed by August which had 123.. Already this month the hospital has called in additional staff to manage the high number of births, Ms Robertson said. 

If the trend continues the hospital could need an extra midwife each shift within the next three years, she said.

New mum Tegan Haynes gave birth to a boy, Arlo Wilcox, on Tuesday afternoon.  

“Everything happened pretty much by the book,” she said.

“My partner has two weeks off work so we’re just looking forward to learning together and being able to do it together in the first few weeks,” she said.