Island Health reports a notable increase in the number of babies being born so far this year at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

baby boom

Nanaimo Hospital sees birth rate surge, new parents seek more support

Apr 16, 2021 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — 2021 has proven to be a popular time to have a baby on mid Vancouver Island.

Island Health data showed 315 babies were born at Nanaimo Hospital in the first three months of the year, up more than nine per cent from the previous three year average.

NRGH’s birth rate is up 26 per cent compared to the same time period in 2020 when 250 babies entered the world at Nanaimo Hospital.

A jump in babies is one reason why more parents of a newborn are reaching out to public health personnel for postpartum guidance.

“We are definitely seeing an increased rate of moms and families looking for support from public health and from lot of the services that we are providing, public health program coordinator Erin Kenning said.

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

1h ago

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

8h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

11h ago

Kenning said in particular isolation impacting mothers stands out as a pandemic related cancellations snuffed out many social interactions.

“It changes the connection that parents are having with new moms in a social setting, as well as some classes and events that families may go to that aren’t running currently.”

Most of Island Health’s Nanaimo based prenatal and postpartum services have been conducted over the phone since the start of the pandemic, Kenning noted.

While saying there’s a place for virtual assessments and phone appointments, Kenning said in-person services for parents is a critical component of a healthy family dynamic.

“We can’t lose the piece of physical connection…There’s still a lot to be determined around what our services are going to look like in the future from what we’ve learned from COVID.”

Kenning said it’s a busy time for local public health workers also tasked with a continually ramped up mass COVID-19 vaccination effort.

A Nanaimo based public health nurse can be reached to offer support on any health issue by phoning 250-755-3388.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

— with files from David Wiwchar, 93.3 The Peak

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW