It's either the warmer weather, Christmas festivities, a New Year’s resolution or just purely a coincidence.
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Why do births increase at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital in the months of September and October?
The average birth rate at the hospital most months of the year is around 50.
However, in September this year, 73 births were recorded - 36 boys and 37 girls.
There were two sets of twins born. The most popular days for births in September were on the 6th, 7th and 21st.
The smallest birth weight recorded was just 1990 grams while the heaviest was 4450 grams.
There were two water births.
The gestation at the time of birth also varied with five births at 37 weeks, seven between 37-38 weeks; 21 in the 38-39 week period; 20 in 39-40 weeks; 13 in 40-41 weeks and 7 in 41-42 weeks.
Births can also fluctuate with as many as 80 births recorded at the hospital.
Midwives in the maternity unit regularly update the statistics each month in recognition of the wonderful work the nurses and midwives do year-round.
It just happens that way but I think September is our busiest month. We have peaks and troughs throughout the year and I can't really put a reason on it.
- Grace Williams
Midwife Grace Williams said the figures showed that September was the busiest month for births at the hospital.
"It just happens that way but I think September is our busiest month. We have peaks and troughs throughout the year and I can't really put a reason on it," she said.
"Port Macquarie is a growing centre, so we are seeing more mums coming in for births."
To acknowledge the good work carried out the nurses and midwives in the maternity section, one of the staff has created a board which features a breakdown of the birthing statistics for each month.
"Water birthing is a new initiative and is getting to be a more of popular option onsite," Grace said. "It just comes down to a personal choice.
"There is some evidence based studies showing that water birthing is a positive alternative for some women."
For Port Macquarie couple Jesse and Lucy Wisselo their first child, Hamish Alexander was born on October 24.
Hamish was born at 8.43pm, was 49cm and weighed a healthy 3195 grams.
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