Southeast Hospital Delivers More Than 1,000 Babies in 2014

Southeast Hospital experienced no shortage of babies in 2014. A total of 1,027 babies were delivered at the Hospital last year, including 17 sets of twins.

August was the busiest month, with 105 deliveries at the Cape Girardeau hospital.

The number of deliveries rose by 14 percent over the previous year, says Director of Maternal Child Services Sheila Beussink, MSN, RN, NE-BC.

"Reaching this milestone in births means Southeast continues to be, as it has been for more than 80 years, a trusted place for families to have their 'special delivery.'" Beussink notes.

She adds, "We are very proud of the enhancements in care we made in 2014 including our newly renovated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, family waiting area and the OB nurses' station, all of which opened in July. We have a great team of the most experienced physicians, nurses and staff members who do an awesome job of supporting each family with a unique experience and individualized care."

Baby Names

The most popular name for girls born at Southeast in 2014 was Allison. Mason led the list of names for boys.

Other popular names for girls: Alyssa, Avery, Sadie, Madison and Riley. For boys, the list included Eli, Hunter, Bentley, Kaden and William.

"Southeast Hospital has delivered babies continuously since 1928," says Beussink. "It always has been part of our mission."

The first baby was born at Southeast on Jan. 17, 1928 -- nine days after the Hospital treated its first patient.

The first baby, a girl, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hahs of Cape Girardeau. She weighed only 3 pounds, 9 ounces, and became not only the first baby born at the Hospital but also the first occupant of one of Southeast's then proudest possessions -- its incubator. That first year, the Hospital delivered 48 babies.