New Year’s baby race heats up

As of Dec. 12, the Baffin Regional Hospital counted 32 mothers-to-be expecting to give birth over the Christmas holidays or early in the New Year.

About two-thirds of the women came from Baffin communities, while the rest are from Iqaluit, said Dr. Mark Lachmann, the hospital’s chief of staff. Women from out of town arrive around 36 weeks.

The hospital delivers between 350 to 400 babies every year, and Lachmann says that’s one of the reasons he and his partner, who is also a doctor, came to work in Iqaluit.

“It’s a nice environment to work in,” Lachmann said.

Dr. Sandy Macdonald, director of medical affairs, said he has seen as many as five babies born in 12 or 14 hours. “It gets hectic,” he said.