Post by Kev on Apr 14, 2004 3:42:17 GMT -5
THE NUMBER of babies born in Liverpool has increased for the first time in a decade.
Births at the Liverpool Women's hospital and the now-closed University Hospital Aintree maternity unit increased by 263 last year, bucking a ten year trend of declining numbers.
Population experts believe the increase is largely due to more people living in the city centre, meaning that the Women's Hospital is the closest to their homes. Midwives have also found that an increased number of pregnant women work in Liverpool city centre and prefer to have a central location for care before their babies are born.
It is estimated that the number of city centre dwellers has increased five-fold over the past ten years.
The city baby boom is out of step with the national picture, where the number of babies born has been falling steadily.
Births at the Liverpool Women's hospital and the now-closed University Hospital Aintree maternity unit increased by 263 last year, bucking a ten year trend of declining numbers.
Population experts believe the increase is largely due to more people living in the city centre, meaning that the Women's Hospital is the closest to their homes. Midwives have also found that an increased number of pregnant women work in Liverpool city centre and prefer to have a central location for care before their babies are born.
It is estimated that the number of city centre dwellers has increased five-fold over the past ten years.
The city baby boom is out of step with the national picture, where the number of babies born has been falling steadily.
