The Wyndham region is experiencing a baby boom.
Werribee Mercy Hospital is celebrating after delivering a record number of babies in the 2014-15 financial year and already has its sights on smashing that record this year.
The hospital delivered 3144 bubs in the past 12 months, up from 2739 births in 2013-14 and a staggering 1392 more than 10 years ago.
From existing data, it’s anticipated about 74 babies will be born each week at Werribee Mercy Hospital this financial year, meaning almost 3900 women will give birth at the hospital in the next 12 months.
Mercy Health chief executive of health services Linda Mellors said the rise was in line with a three-year commitment made with the Department of Health and Human Services to increase the hospital’s number of births by
20 per cent a year.
This is the third year of that commitment.
The hospital has added two obstetrics and gynaecology consultants as well as extra junior medical staff, midwives and support staff to cope with the rising demand.
Dr Mellors said the upward trend would only continue, with the hospital recently boosting its monthly bookings to allow 500 more Wyndham women each year to have their babies with family and friends closer at hand.
“Wyndham is the fastest-growing region in Australia and we need to accommodate the young families who are making it their home,” she said.
Maternity services director Jacqueline Van Dam said Werribee Mercy’s shared-care model allowed expectant mothers to be seen by their local doctors for most of their pregnancies, with core visits and births undertaken at the hospital.
