TWAS the day after Christmas, and all through the hospital there was barely anyone stirring.
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But whatever you do, just don’t say it’s quiet.
For nurses in Tamworth hospital, quiet times are seen as the calm before the storm.
Even for off-shift nurses Bessy Justin and Justin Jose who welcomed their first baby into the world, Joanne Josephine, at 6.30am on Christmas Day, they avoided the q-word in the distinctly silent maternity ward.
The couple’s baby was due on Christmas Day, but they shot down the suggestion the arrival was planned on their insider knowledge of lulls in the hospital schedule.
“I did actually think it would be busy, but it wasn’t,” Bessy said.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics, December 25 is the second-rarest birthday in the country, only behind February 29.
But it was an interesting experience turning up to their workplace to give birth.
“It’s all familiar faces here,” Bessy said.
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“It’s just a bit different being the patient this time,” Justin added.
Their families flew in from India and New Zealand for Christmas in Australia this year, but the impending arrival of bay Joanne meant their celebrations were brought forward to December 24.
Midwife Lynne Steadman, once again avoiding the fabled q-word, said this Christmas had been a more pleasant time for the hospital staff.
“It is unpredictable, we do have organised inductions and organised caesars, but that doesn’t stop anyone just coming through the door or two or three on top of that,” Ms Steadman said.
“They just arrive unannounced because nothing is booked over the Christmas period from about Christmas Eve we try to keep it low-key, but if the babies are ready they will just arrive.”
While this time of year can be hit-and-miss for maternity workers, Ms Steadman said, without a doubt, September and October were the birthing boom months; about nine months from now.
The midwife said the rate of births at Tamworth hospital had risen slightly in 2018 with more than 1000 bundles of joy delivered.