Every 24 hours, five or more babies are born at the Madigan Healthcare System on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In 2009, the hospital saw its highest amount of births to date: 2,457. Then in 2010, due to deployments, that number dropped off by close to 500. Yet this year, with the redeployment baby boom well underway, it just might beat its previous record, according to Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jason Pates, Chief of Obstetrics.

In March, there were 195 births and April closed out at about 200, give or take. Looking at the numbers, which show that the volume is steadily increasing and will continue to do so through September, Pates said that since the hospital's predictions were accurate, it has, so far, been completely prepared.

"We're maintaining our high quality of care despite the increase in births," said Pates. "Our department (Labor and Delivery) leads the hospital in teamwork, which is definitely working to our advantage right now."

In preparation for this boom, the Obstetrics Service had added two additional providers and as of now, it looks like they will add one more to accommodate the peak of the births over the months of May, June and July. What many forget is that in addition to the medical staff required for actual labor and delivery, each woman is also seen about 10 times during her pregnancy and then, following the birth, there are also postpartum visits to field. Not to mention, as the calendar moves toward summer - a heavy PCS season - the numbers will continue to fluctuate.

Yet, even with the numbers climbing, Pates was happy to report that there have been no indications of increased problems or complications, for the babies or the mothers. Furthermore, though Madigan has arranged contingency plans with other hospital departments with regard to extra beds and operating room times in case of overflow, it hasn't had to use them.

"We will need to keep up this pace, but so far, the staff has been great," Pates said. "I think we will easily see 2,500 or more before 2011 ends."