During July and August this year, 221 little boys and girls came into the world at the maternity ward of Dubbo Base Hospital and local midwives have a theory for the seasonal influx.

“I remember when September 11 occurred and we had a lot of babies come through nine months after that,” Dubbo Base Hospital nursing unit manager Kaye Simpson said.

“I guess people just go back to nature when disasters strike.

“We have a lot around this time of year too, as people probably let their guard down a little the Christmas and new years beforehand.”

There have been more males born recently than females in the Dubbo region, with statistics showing 52 per cent of males over 48 per cent of females.

For midwife of more than 15 years Ms Simpson, every birth is special. “To me midwifery is like Walt Disney’s slogan for Disneyland - every day magic, magic every day,” Ms Simpson said.

There are 30 midwives at the hospital’s maternity ward and they deliver more than 50 per cent of babies without the help of doctors, unless complications occur.

“We don’t get many caesarean sections up here, unless the mother is booked in for one,” Ms Simpson said. “We have a good breast feeding rate and encourage all mothers to breast feed, but if they choose to bottle feed, we support them and show them how as well.”

Ms Simpson said she had plenty of special memories.

“I remember one in particular. A few years ago we had a premature little man born here (26 weeks too soon) and he fought for his life for one week,” she said.

“He was only 360g and sadly he passed at one week, after breathing and doing everything himself, that touched my heart.”

dani.volke@ruralpress.com