Rugby World Cup brings baby boom

Libby Jackson counts back nine months. Photo / Doug Sherring

The All Blacks' Rugby World Cup victory sparked a baby boom.

The maternity unit at Waitakere Hospital was overflowing with double the usual number of births last weekend - exactly nine months after the World Cup kicked off.

Nearly 40 babies were born over three days at the West Auckland hospital. Increased births were also reported at Middlemore Hospital.

New mum Libby Jackson joked that Cup celebrations were probably the reason for the increased numbers.

"A lot of my friends are due soon and we counted back and said, oh yes, the Rugby World Cup."

Waitakere midwife manager Helen Ngatai said the ward was "madness" over the weekend.

"I am so grateful for the staff we had, they just got on with it and everyone worked really hard," she said.

More experienced mums were sent home early, others were transferred to other parts of the hospital. Those who were well enough were sent to Birthcare.

"We would have a bed stripped and cleaned and it was immediately filled with the next woman in labour."