Staff on Wodonga’s maternity ward might have deemed 2018 ‘the year of the boy’, with 83 more boys than girls born, but it was baby girls who dominated the first lot of births in 2019.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Women and children services director at Albury Wodonga Health Julie Wright said 1647 babies were delivered in 2018, 865 boys and 782 girls – with the ward filled with speculations and theories about the anomaly.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, I’ve worked in the field for 30-plus years,” she said.
“It’s really very interesting. I had to double check the numbers because I didn’t believe it.
“We normally get about a dozen to 20 more boys than girls on average.
“I can’t explain it.
“Whether it’s something in the lunar cycle or in the water, it’s great to hear the theories.”
In 2017, the number of girls born on the Border outnumbered boys by 18.
Ms Wright said while it was unusual for more girls to be born in a year, 18 was not a huge variable.
She said the 83 boys equals about two to three weeks of babies.
“We average 135 babies a month so to have 83 more boys this year is quite interesting,” she said.
But whether the trend will continue into 2019 is not clear, with two girls and one boy born before 1pm yesterday.
Ms Wright said an additional two women were in labour on New Year’s Day, making it a busy night and day for staff.
“It’s been a very busy start to the year, keeping everyone on their toes,” Ms Wright said.
It was an unexpectedly joyous start to 2019 for Dave and Claire Phelps of Lavington, who welcomed baby Beatrix into the world at 12.45pm.
Dr Phelps said they weren’t expecting Beatrix so early, with her due date still 19 days away.
“I’m just very pleased it all went well and she’s healthy,” he said.
Beatrix is the couple’s third child, born after Max, who passed away, and Charlotte, 1.
Dr Phelps said Charlotte didn’t fully comprehend she was going to be a big sister but she loves the babies at her childcare.
“She always hugs and kisses them and wants to comfort them when they’re crying,” he said.
In 2018, Harper, Charlotte, Thea, Amelia, Zoe, Macey, Zara and Ivy were among the most popular girl names on the Border, Ms Wright said.
Cooper, George, Lucas, Archie, Theodore, Luke, Jackson, and the less traditional Ezra were all popular for boys in 2018.
January is expected to remain very busy for the ward staff with 150 babies due to be born.
.
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
