Whirlwind week at Katherine Hospital welcomes 18 babies

To put it into perspective, the Katherine midwifes usually tend to just five births per week. 

While it is not yet one for the record book - 48 babies in one month is the number to beat according to long-term midwife Elaine McArthur, who has worked on the ward for over 50 years -  it has made for a hectic week. 

"It was a very busy and constant week," clinical midwife manager Sara Potter said. 

From February 12 to February 22, 18 babies were born. As for the month as a whole, there have so far been 28 births. The average is 15 to 23. 

"We brought in whoever was available from their day off and it still would have been nice to have more people available." 

The nationwide shortage of midwifes coupled with the fact the maternity ward doesn't have access to a pool of casual staff made staffing a little more difficult than usual. 

But thanks to the group of skilled midwifes, the ward continued to run smoothly. 

"We were able to shuffle beds around and utilise the children's ward and no sooner than someone was arriving we had people leaving. Everything went well," Ms Potter said. 

Despite vast experience on the ward and being a part of countless births, the clinical midwife manager said she had no clue as to what would cause such a pointed spike in numbers. 

"That is just how it transpired. I don't know what was happening nine months ago to make everyone have a baby during that week." 

For those doing the arithmetic in their heads, nine months ago coincided with Territory Day, a time when the whole of the NT was celebrating with fireworks. 

Arriving just days after the frenzied week came to an end, new mum Jamie Maxey, 21, gave birth to her first child. 

Not missing a beat, the midwives successfully delivered a healthy baby boy by caesarean section on Tuesday at 4.14pm. 

Born two weeks early, Jaedan Maxey, is now part of a busy February to remember at Katherine Hospital. 

The new mum will be staying at the hospital for a couple more days before going home in time for her baby shower, which will now double as a meet and greet. 

"It hasn't hit me yet, I feel like I have to give him back," she said. 

"I don't know how to describe it, I just love him. It is something you don't feel every day." 

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.