2772 children were born in the gynaecological clinic last year. Little Titus was the first baby born in the new year.
Happy parents Ann-Merlin and Paul with their newborn Titus. Copyright: Katrin Kutter
While the birth rate in Germany continued to fall in 2024, significantly more families at Hannover Medical School (MHH) were happy to welcome newborns: a total of 2772 children were born in the five delivery rooms of MHH Women's Clinic: 1440 boys and 1327 girls. Among the newborns, 99 were twins and one was a triplet. In 2023, a total of 2,521 children were born in 2,432 births.
Little Titus was Hannover's first baby to see the light of day in the new year on 1 January 2025 at 2:05 a.m. - in the delivery room at MHH. Mum Ann-Merlin and dad Paul had actually opted for a birth in a birthing centre. When the birth became difficult due to the baby's large head circumference of 37.5 centimetres and Ann-Merlin needed a painkiller, Paul drove the woman giving birth to the MHH at around 11 pm, where Titus was then born as a New Year's baby. A few hours after the birth, the parents couldn't quite believe their 3900 gram, 55 centimetre baby.
Happiness in numbers
‘Becoming a parent and starting a family is one of the ultimate miracles of our time,’ says Halina Huppertz.' And we midwives are part of this miracle.
- 61 children were born extremely prematurely before the 29th week of pregnancy.
- 26 newborns weighed less than 500 grams at birth.
35 midwives and eleven doctors are part of the delivery room team and support the expectant parents. Two medical assistants support the team. ‘It is extremely important to us that the expectant families feel comfortable and safe with us,’ emphasises Huppertz. In most cases, the parents are unaware of the safety net stretched beneath them. ‘But it is always there and intervenes immediately if there are any complications.’
Text: Tina Götting