9 months...

[Adam L. Beberg]

Well, guess how long it's been...

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National tragedy launches baby boomlet
by Sue Austreng
Staff writer

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 took lives and destroyed buildings, but
the heart of America beats strong and powerful as life is renewed and
families grow.

Across the United States, obstetricians and family physicians are seeing a
sort of baby boomlet, and some experts are saying the tragedy of Sept. 11
could be the trends catalyst.

Mari Holt, RN, nurse manager of Mercy Hospitals labor and delivery unit,
reported an estimated 243 babies will be born at the hospital in June, and
in fact, the first day of the month delivered 11 births.

Saturday (June 1) was very, very busy, Holt said. We average 6.5 births a
day, so to have 11 on one day  we were very, very busy.

As of noon June 5, there were 33 births at Mercy, and more moms-to-be on the
way.

The estimated 243 births in June is 50 more than the five-year average of
193 during the month of June, according to hospital spokesman Vince Rivard.
The record-breaking number was arrived at after reports from area medical
clinics and obstetricians were reviewed.

According to Holt, Mercy Hospital officials have assured our staffing
pattern is adequate for the boomlet.

We have 23 beds in our women and children unit, Holt said. We can handle up
to 25 patients at one time. Thats in labor, delivery, recovery, and
post-partum. And we have people on call if needed. So were ready.

One of the young families whose baby boy is counted among the June baby
boomlet is the Scott family. Dad Kenneth Scott and mom Thao Scott welcomed
baby Kenneth Edward Duong Scott into the family after his eight-day
premature birth June 8.

Hes our first boy, Thao said, stroking little Kennys fine dark hair as she
cradled him following his cesarean delivery.

The Scotts first two children, Porsheya, 8, and Lexia, 4, were born two
months and one month premature, respectively. With the arrival of baby
Kenneth, Thao said, about her husband, Hes more of a family man now.

When asked about the events of Sept. 11 and the timing of their baby boys
birth, Thao said, When people ask us Did 9-11 make you want to have another
baby? well, 9-11, not really. But it made us think of our families more.

And, as it turns out, baby Kenneth is part of history as one of the record
number of infants expected to be born during the June baby boomlet at Mercy
Hospital.