Gympie Hospital welcomes birth of 12 baby girls in a row

It is not unusual for the hospital to have two or three baby girls in a row, or even four or five, but this time they really do think they have a set a big record.

The Maternity Unit at Gympie Hospital recently welcomed 12 baby girls in a row into the world, potentially setting a record for the region.

Nurse Unit Manager at Gympie Hospital, Shaneen Osborne, said she couldn’t remember that many girls being born at the hospital, one after the other, ever before.

“We normally have a couple of girls in a row, or maybe three or four, but not 12, that’s very unusual,” Shaneen said.

All 12 baby girls were born healthy, and arrived within the last two weeks of August, making up the majority of the 15 girls in total born last month at Gympie Hospital, and outnumbering the 10 boys who were born at the hospital over the entire month.

“As the days went on we started to realise, oh that’s a lot of girls, and then another one was born, and then we got up to six and then eight and we realised, now, that’s really a lot of girls, and then we got to 12 girls before baby Jared was born. It’s quite amazing.

“It’s wonderful to be a part of this special time for local families. It’s a privilege to be able to be that support person, for the mum and her family, along the entire journey.

“It’s not just about the birth, but the whole pregnancy and birthing experience, and the follow-up care after the birth.

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“During that time it’s important women feel safe, have been well educated and enjoy their experience here,” Shaneen said.

From July 2020 to June 2021, 302 babies were born at Gympie Hospital.