Tamworth hospital cracks births milestone three year running

Last year, Tamworth hospital delivered a total of 1027 newborns – that’s an average of 2.8 a day or nearly 20 babies a week.

There’s been a steady increase in births at the hospital over the past five year – in 2014, there were 934 new babies.

While it’s the third year over 1000, last year didn’t quite reach the hospital’s record of 1047 births, set in 2017.

Gunnedah hospital had a milestone of its own, hitting a five-year high in births. 

Last year, the hospital delivered 172 babies, the highest since the 171 newborns in 2014.

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Tamworth midwife and Birth Beats owner Edwina Sharrock has witnessed the steady increase first hand, and her birthing classes are booking out months in advance.

“It’s definitely been a noticeable increase over the last couple of years,” Mrs Sharrock said.

“If we’re talking trends, there are a combination of things.

“We have that big, beautiful hospital that has been built, which has an incredible maternity ward. There are also people from outside of Tamworth travelling to have their child here.

“Particularly for my Birth Beat mums, I’ve seen more and more twins.”

Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the three consecutive years of a 1000 or more babies were a good indication of the city, and the region, were going.

“It demonstrates that this is a good place to raise a family,” Cr Murray said.

“It confirms the livability of our region and shows that people have confidence in the economy.”

Tamworth hospital delivered it’s first baby of 2019 less than an hour in to the new year.

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