Pictured left to right: Jovi Smith, Baby of Tika and Zac Smith. Nathan Dawe, Baby of Brooke and Garry Dawe. Ryker Heckenburg, Baby of Anastasia Poland and Allen Heckenberg. Sophia Eldridge, Baby of Mikaela and William Eldridge.
Remy Pudya, Baby of Jodie Bannon and Brady Pudya. Vince Alcorn, Baby of Myrka Robichaud Tremblay and Michael Alcorn.
Archie Lee, Baby of Kristy Collis and Simon Lee.
Young Hospital Maternity Unit has been experiencing one of its busiest times over the past week with the birth of six baby boys and one little girl. Three of these babies were born within a 24 hour time frame.
All mums and bubs are doing well and staff, whilst busy, are enjoying the influx of babies.
In 2002, Young Hospital experienced a similar boom, with seven little boys born in a short time frame. In 2004 there were also seven babies born in quick succession, six girls and one boy.
In 2019 ten babies, five girls and five boys, were born within just six days.
Community Midwife Tami Stuart said that usually there is only 1 allocated midwife on each shift, but on Monday evening this week it was almost all hands on deck with 5 midwives in attendance at one time.
“We are fortunate in this town to have a great maternity unit that is well supported by our registered midwives and nurses and our medical team,” said Tami.
“We are also very thankful for the ongoing commitment of GP obstetrician, Dr Diane Larcombe.”
The surge in births also brings back into focus the need for more obstetricians to be attracted to Young to assist the local nurses and midwives.
Nyssa Satdtmiller is a mother-of-two from Harden and is expecting her third child in September. She also plans to give birth at the Young Health Service. She praised the efforts of all involved this week with the baby boom. She said, “What an effort by our local nurses, midwives and Drs. It just highlights the need to provide Dr Larcombe with some more assistance by attracting more GP obstetricians to help all of the staff.”
The ABC recently reported on the lack of obstetricians at Young Hospital. Until earlier this year, the hospital was staffed with the services of two local obstetricians. But in March, Dr Meagher retired after more than three decades, leaving the town and surrounding areas reliant on one specialist and the help of a locum doctor.
The Stadtmiller family has donated $5,200 to go towards a rental subsidy to attract a new obstetrician.
