Hospitals Brace For Baby Boom After Last Winter's Storm

The Daily Meal Staff|

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It's all hands on deck in maternity wings at hospitals across North Texas. The number of July births is up, and only expected to grow over the next month.

The first week in September marks exactly nine months since an ice storm crippled Dallas and Fort Worth in December 2013.

As is the trend in any weather-event, natural disaster or catastrophe, doctors and nurses say they usually see a spike in the number of babies conceived during the time period of the event.

"It's kind of a joke in labor and delivery, that whenever there's a snow storm or ice storm in Dallas, nine months later there's going to be a lot of babies. This particular ice storm lasted days," said Michelle McNinch, RN, Manager of Labor & Delivery at Medical City Dallas Hospital.

To handle the extra bundles of joy, the hospital plans with more supplies, more nurses and more staff.

"It means lots more diapers and lots more bottles and baby showers and all of that," said McNinch.

New parents Darby and Aaron Carver welcomed twin daughters, Colette and Conlee, Wednesday afternoon.

The Carvers conceived with the help of fertility treatments. While the timing may be a coincidence, they're not surprised that the nursery is busy. Aaron said he has several friends who are becoming new parents right now.

"It makes total sense. I hadn't even thought about the big ice storm in December, and here we are nine months later. I can totally see it," said Darby.

In Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest saw a record number of babies born in July, and nurses expect to see another record broken this month.

"I expect September to be crazy. I hope we have all hands on deck and people are excited about overtime hours. I expect it's going to be a really busy month for us," said Judy Clark, the Post-Partum Supervisor at the hospital.

Lauren Johnston and Ryan White's daughter, Kylie Rae, was born yesterday. Looking back, both mom and dad know how they ended up with this happy surprise.

"It all adds up to around the time we were stuck in our house for seven days. Couldn't even go to the grocery store, so you know, 'tis the season!" said Lauren.

"She's definitely a surprise, but a very good surprise at that. We're just lucky to have a happy, healthy baby," said Lauren.

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