Revealed: ABS data shows where the North Coast new arrivals are being born as region’s population grows
We’ve delved into the data to show exactly where the bubs are being born across the region as the North Coast continues to grow. Take a look at the charts and mapping.
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Grafton’s on the grow and the Tweed’s also touting a baby boom, the latest North Coast birthing statistics show.
We’ve delved into the latest data to show exactly where the bubs are being born across the region and fertility rates as the population climbs.
It comes as several local mothers have shared their unique birthing experiences.
The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data for the region from 2022 shows a steady increase in births when compared to 2019.
The most new arrivals were in Grafton, where 243 babies were born, and Tweed had 230.
The numbers show an increase of 74 recorded births for the North Coast – 4252 babies in 2022 compared to 4178 babies in 2019.
The biggest bump was at Tweed Heads where 156 more babies were born in 2022 than 2019.
Grafton was hot on the heels with an increase of 124 bubs born for the same time period.
Banora Point was third at 51 more births.
Meanwhile, Byron Bay bucked the trend – the tourist hotspot recorded 25 less births in comparison with the 2019 data, with 113 compared to 88 for 2022.
In total, NSW recorded 300,684 births in 2022 and the fertility rate was 1.63 births per person.
The North Coast’s births made up 1.41 per cent of the state’s new arrivals.
Gwendolyn Clapham
Gwendolyn Clapham of Lismore unexpectedly gave birth to baby Lucas Squires in her bathroom doorway.
She was four days overdue when she woke up at night.
“My waters exploded so I yelled out to my partner Beau Squires to assist me in the toilet,” she said.
“(Beau) called our midwife who didn’t answer … then he called an ambulance as I already needed to push.”
An ambulance worker instructed Mr Squires how to deliver his son while Ms Clapham remained on hand to help.
“He successfully delivered our nine pound, two ounce healthy baby boy on October 3, 2009 at 12.50am,” Ms Clapham said.
Paramedics arrived and helped Mr Squires cut the umbilical cord before driving Ms Clapham and Lucas to Lismore Base Hospital.
The pair returned home just two hours later and Ms Clapham woke up early the next morning to do her hair and makeup – devoted to being a bridesmaid at Mr Squire’s brother’s wedding.
Ms Clapham and Mr Squires now have three sons – Mason 15, Lucas 14, and Cameron, 12.
Clare Kearney
Clare Kearney, who wanted “natural birth”, felt like her story was straight out of a “rom-com” flick.
Ms Kearney’s daughter was due in late February 2023, but the mum-to-be had a sneaking suspicion she would come early.
On February 6, midwives at Lismore Base Hospital advised her to rest before the inevitable.
“By morning I was definitely in early labour, but not having discernible contractions,” Ms Kearney said.
Her partner Michael Writer left for work, but was back 45 minutes later to take Ms Kearney to hospital as things “ramped up”.
“By the time he got home around 9am I was fully in the throes of it and couldn’t really speak,” she said.
“So he figured out pretty quickly that he needed to start packing.
“My preference was to avoid interventions unless medically necessary, so the midwife suggested we wait a bit longer until the contractions were a minute long.
“We made the call to go, even though we still weren’t at a minute … I never got to a minute.”
Ms Kearney was outside the hospital when she felt an “overwhelming urge to push”.
“My partner ran in to get a wheelchair as I tried not to have my baby in the foyer. I still laugh that he asked me which ward we needed,” she said.
Ms Kearney recalls Mr Writer ramming the wheelchair through a doorway rather loudly to draw a bit of attention on the way to the maternity ward.
“They (workers) came out and took the reins of the wheelchair and ran me down the corridor to the birthing suite, very much like something out of a rom-com,” she said.
Sunny Frances Writer was born about 11.55am – at 37 weeks and one day – and was “caught” by her father.
Ms Kearney said midwives and medical staff were amazing.
“It was a whirlwind but I got my natural birth and I didn’t have time to be nervous or scared, my body really just took over and knew what to do,” she said.
“She’s ten months now and such a happy little thing. She’s crawling and seriously thinking about walking.”
Leah Stuart
Not all births go smoothly or as expected, as Leah Stuart found out first-hand.
Ms Stuart said she had a difficult time delivering one of her babies and felt some medical staff at her birth were “neglectful”, “making mistakes” and acting “rudely”.
As Ms Stuart was about to give birth – her baby induced nine days after her due date – her husband went into shock.
“I was ignored by the midwives who were meant to be with me,” she said.
Ms Stuart said mistakes made along the way included a misplaced cervidil insert, which are used to assist in softening the cervix in preparation for birth.
She also claimed she was repeatedly told to be quiet during her three-hour labour.
Ms Stuart said she felt distressed and was screaming for help at one stage.
“My husband left my bedside to get help and he told me the midwives were sitting at the station outside my room having tea and talking,” she said.
“The midwife finally came in and said ‘You need to gather yourself, Leah. There are other people here’.
“As I was pushing, two midwives were making jokes about how loud I was being literally right over me.”
Ms Stuart also claimed her umbilical cord was “clamped incorrectly” and “there was so much blood”.
She shared her story as the NSW inquiry into birth trauma continues and after a North Coast awareness event drew a huge crowd at Lennox Head last year.
Why knowledge is power during pregnancy, birth
Northern NSW Local Health District maternity services manager Fiona Minnis said it’s important for pregnant women to consult with healthcare providers early on.
Options for “pregnancy care, birth location, pain relief options during labour and post-natal care” are some considerations.
“Women considering a home birth are advised to consult with a midwife or healthcare professional to ensure a safe and supported home birth,” Ms Minnis said.
“This may include creating a birth plan, having necessary supplies on hand and establishing a communication plan with the primary pregnancy care provider.”
Ms Minnis suggested parenting classes to help with “informed decision making during labour and birth”.
The use of pain relief such as an epidural during labour is a personal choice, Ms Minnis said.
“Epidurals are one of many forms of pain relief available in labour – other options include mobilisation, warm baths and showers,” she advised.
“It’s recommended that pain management options are discussed with healthcare providers beforehand to ensure an informed decision based on individual preferences and medical considerations.”
Each pregnancy and birth is different, but “it’s crucial for women to work closely with their healthcare team to discuss their needs and preferences”, Ms Minnis added.
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