KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In January 2024, a deadly snowstorm swept East Tennessee under several inches of snow and ice — locking people indoors and closing businesses across the region. Schools canceled classes, and emergency crews spent days working to thaw the roads.
Around 9 months later, some hospitals in East Tennessee reported a higher number of births than usual. Jeanette Toney, a doctor at Tennova North Medical Center, said Tuesday it helped deliver a record number of newborns.
"It was certainly a boom," she said. "At the delivery, it's always like a party. I always say I'm ready for the party."
She said she has helped deliver newborns for around a decade.
Stacy Wood, Director of Women's Services, said the hospital delivered 103 newborns in September. In September 2023, it delivered 54 babies. Blount Memorial Hospital also said it is expecting up to 70 births in October.
Wood said more babies are typically born during September, October and December because colder months earlier in the year tend to keep people indoors. But even those trends do not account for the sudden spike in the number of births across East Tennessee.
"We had one 24-hour timeframe where I personally delivered eight babies," said Leonard Brabson, another doctor who delivers newborns.
Brabson said the sudden increase in the number of births has strained staff, but she also said the hospital will keep working to make sure newborns are healthy and cared for.