Milestone baby birth for 'amazing team'

Every child born at Waverley Private Hospital in South Melbourne is special.

But Dylan, who arrived in late 2024, was a little extra special – he was the 45,000th baby born at the Ramsay Health Care facility.

Nurse Unit Manager Stacey Woods, also a midwife, was present during his birth on Saturday 14 December.

"I feel extremely lucky to have been on shift the day the 45,000th baby was born at Waverley Private Hospital," Ms Woods said.

"But I feel lucky every day to come to work and assist new mothers and families bring their babies into the world."

Waverley Private Hospital has been helping mums give birth for more than 50 years, and Ms Woods has been involved with many of those since starting there in 2012 – but she said she would remember Dylan's arrival for a long time.

"In my time at Waverley I have been a part of some memorable births, and Dylan's is certainly one of them.

"The 12 sets of twins I have helped birth are also very memorable," she said.

"Some of my favourites are the many mothers who were born here, who are now having babies here, and a set of twin sisters who had their babies here just a few months apart. 

"The best part is when families return either for the next pregnancy or just to visit and say 'Hi'."

For Ms Woods, Waverley's maternity unit is a special place.

"I am very lucky to have had both of my daughters at Waverley Private Hospital 18 and 20 years ago, before I became a midwife," she said.

"And now, I get to come here each day, as part of an amazing team of doctors, nurses and midwives, helping to continue the wonderful work of our maternity unit.

"It is a true privilege assisting new mothers and families to bring their babies into this world, and to help teach them how to feed, change nappies, hold and cuddle them.

"Our gorgeous staff that work in maternity are certainly a special set of strong women, who do their jobs with pride, patience and kindness.

"We all love looking after new families with the hope that they leave our maternity unit with a little more knowledge and confidence than they came in with and feeling empowered as a new mother and new family."

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