Fort Bragg Experiencing Baby Boom

Tamera Bears' husband, Edward, came back in February. She got pregnant in March. She gave birth Jan. 2.

"We had been talking about it, but we didn't expect it to happen so quick," she said.

Fort Bragg's hospital, Womack Army Medical Center, foresees January being the busiest month in years. In an average month, Womack delivers about 270 babies. This month, doctors expect more than 350, which is an average of about 11 each day.

"Sometimes, we can have a 17-baby day. I remember a time when, in 40 minutes, I delivered six babies," said Maj. Sue Holliday, of Womack Army Medical Center.

Womack officials anticipate so many deliveries that they referred some expectant mothers to other hospitals. Meanwhile, Bears is enjoying this time together. Her husband plans to deploy again in July.

Womack representatives say the numbers they gave WRAL are conservative. Many expectant mothers go to their hometowns to give birth. Womack officials also said one time, doctors delivered 21 babies in 24 hours.