MIDWIVES at Nottingham City Hospital have faced their busiest ever shift.
They said they had never known anything like it as nine babies were born in the space of just two hectic hours.
At one point, four babies were born in only half an hour.
"It was unbelievable," said Gemma Jackson, 28, who was the sister in charge.
And maternity matron Julia Gudgeon said that in her 21 years' experience, she had never known the unit so busy.
"It was phenomenal. They were going like a train. It became almost funny because, as one was delivered, another mum was coming through the doors."
The first baby was born just as staff were changing shifts at 6.40am. "Nurses were taking their coats off and were immediately rushed off their feet, but we kept calm and efficient," said Ms Gudgeon.
One of the women giving birth was Natasha Shires, 26, of Aspley. She said: "It did seem busy. Staff were rushing in and out of the room all the time."
The mother-of-two, who gave birth to a 5lb 10oz baby girl Lexci Ibbitson, added: "I think they were amazing."
Lynsey Curtis, 32, was overjoyed at the arrival of her son Samuel, born at 7.57am. "We are over the moon," she said.
During that day – March 1 – 23 babies were born at the unit. The average is 15.
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