THEY are more used to bringing other people's bundles of joy into the world, but staff at Barrow's maternity unit have their own personal reasons to celebrate this year.

Eleven midwives and neo-natal nurses from Furness General Hospital's South Lakes Birth Centre are currently on maternity leave at the same time after experiencing a major baby boom.

Neo-natal nurse Bethan McKenna said it was an ‘ongoing joke’ that staff kept getting pregnant.

The 24-year-old, who had her own baby named Annabelle eight months ago, said there was a new pregnancy announcement every other week on the unit.

“It was a bit of a standing joke at first that a few of us were pregnant at the same time, then the number kept growing and growing,” she said.

“We couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t planned at all, it just all happened naturally.

“It was a lovely surprise for the unit.”

Mrs McKenna, from Barrow, said it felt ‘really special’ to be going through pregnancy at the same time as her friends.

She said: “It was really exciting knowing we were all going to be on maternity leave together.

“We’re all really good friends and came to each other with help and advice all the time."

The group all gave birth at the South Lakes Birth Centre too.

“It was a lot more comforting knowing one of my friends was my midwife looking after me,” said Mrs McKenna.

“The care was absolutely incredible.”

The group of mums all met up at a Askam community hall to celebrate their special new additions.

The oldest of the baby boom was Rory, born in December last year, followed by Olivia, Jude, Annabelle, Jack, Mia, Ophelia, Mabel, Ethan, Margot and Hugo who arrived just seven weeks ago.

Mrs McKenna added: “We’re all so excited to raise our babies together.

“It’s a very special experience to share alongside each other.”