The maternity ward at Mount Gambier District Hospital and Health Services experienced a baby boom recently with several babies born within a 12-hour period.

Rumour has it seven baby girls were welcomed into the world, however SA Health was unable to confirm this and the birth times due to confidentiality.

However, The SE Voice was able to speak to four couples delighted to welcome new additions to their families on the day.

The first was a precious little girl named Sadie Rae, born in the early hours of the morning.

At 12.02am Millicent couple Kelsey and Paul Smyth welcomed their daughter, who they named after Paul’s great aunt Sadie.

The first-time parents said Sadie’s arrival was brought on early as her growth had slowed down and Kelsey had been experiencing high blood pressure.

“She was due on July 19. She is out and healthy. That’s all that matters,” said Kelsey, while cradling her peacefully sleeping daughter.

The couple was full of praise for the midwives involved in the delivery and post-natal care.

“They were incredible. We could not fault any of them,” said Kelsey, while Paul added the midwives were welcoming and made them feel comfortable.

Less than an hour past midnight, at 12.42am, Millie Ryan was welcomed by parents Wanita Robinson and Andrew Stone.

She is the second addition to the family and is a little sister to two-year-old Ava.

Millie was eager to make her entrance into the world, arriving a week early, her due date being July 20.

When choosing Millie’s middle name, the couple chose Ryan as a sentiment to their own siblings, Andrew’s sister Lucy and Wanita’s brother Todd, who also share the same middle name.

She has acquired the name ‘Ava 2.0’ from her mum.

“Millie looks like her sister and I have called her Ava quite a few times already. Born via c-section, again Ava 2.0,” Wanita said.

Though her heart was hopeful to deliver naturally, Wanita was unable to dilate more than 8cm.

“I did not progress and hopped off to theatre. If only it was as easy as that sounds. But nope. Solid no thanks from me waiting for theatre while contracting. 10 out of 10 do not recommend,” she said.

Post delivery Wanita said she can have a joke now.

“If you want a birthing partner, Stone is not it. He does alright, except for trying to crack jokes while I’m contracting,” she said.

“Luckily I have such a good support group to get me through. It really does take a village.

“Thanks to everyone who has helped us through this experience, making life 100 times easier and enjoyable.”

Wanita and Andrew said they had heard rumours that all the babies born during the 12-hour period were girls.

One of those little girls was Luca Bai Walker.

It was 9.18am when she was officially welcomed by parents Alice and Zac Walker.

Luca’s due date was nearly accurate, with July 15 being the estimated date of her arrival.

She is a sister to two-year old Ned and is the first granddaughter for both her paternal and maternal grandparents.

“Luca is the second grandchild for Zac’s side of the family and the third for my family, but she is the first granddaughter for both families,” Alice said.

All couples wished to sincerely thank the midwife staff for safely delivering each of their babies into the world.

“Zac and I would like to personally thank Karinna, Charlene and all the midwife staff for delivering our beautiful little girl safely into the world on such a busy day of babies,” Alice said.

“We were aware there were quite a few babies born. Staff were jokingly having bets as to who would give birth next out of myself and two other mums that were in labour.

“My labour started around 1.30am. We went to the hospital at around 5am. After experiencing an extremely long labour with my son I was expecting the same second time round.”

However, Luca had other ideas and made a speedier entrance into the world.

Just over 12 hours since the first July 14 baby made their entrance into the world, another little girl was born.

At 12.15pm Tantanoola couple Emma McRobert and Tim Rigney met their daughter who they named Aurora Kaye.

Brothers Zaiden, Mark and Deegan have been smitten with the addition of a sister to their family.

Emma said she had heard of the rumour at the time she was in labour.

“I heard the rumour… there was three of us in active labour at the same time,” she said.

“I actually had a running joke with my midwife about trying to be the first to have the baby. I ended up being number two.”

Emma and Tim also sincerely thank the midwives and hospital staff.

“Joanne Wilson was my midwife. She is a superstar.

“Tim and I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff for their care and professionalism during the busy day.

“Even with being rushed off their feet they still made us feel like we were the only people there.”