The maternity ward at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach seems to be getting less busy each year.

Lisa Albensi, Director of Health Services at Bethesda says there were fewer babies born in 2016 than in 2015. From January 1st to December 31st 2016, there were 449 babies born at Bethesda. That is down from 476 in 2015 and 482 in 2014.

"Perhaps we had more women that needed to deliver in Winnipeg due to being high risk," suggests Albensi.

Over at Ste.Anne Hospital, the number of births has remained very consistent over the last three years. In 2016 there were 116 births, compared to 114 in 2015 and 114 in 2014.

Meanwhile, Southern Health-Santé Sud has announced there were 39 home births by midwives in the Steinbach area last year, which is down from 42 in 2015 and 43 in 2014.

As for baby names, according to Vital Statistics, the most popular boy's name given last year in Steinbach was Noah, while the most popular girl's name was Chloe.