Hospital braces for babies

Photo / Thinkstock

Christchurch Hospital is bracing for a sudden increase in new babies as women go into premature labour as a result of today's massive earthquake.

The number of babies born spiked following the 7.1 magnitude quake last September 4 and a repeat is looking likely today.

A nurse told NZPA she had gone into work to help out because "last time everyone went into labour and it's happening again".

She had left her "trashed" home to help out.

There were reports of "chaos" in the intensive care unit, with "people everywhere".

- NZPA