Portage la Prairie's infant deliveries have increased, according to data provided by Portage District General Hospital. Director of Health Services Noreen Shirtliff takes us back four years.

"In 2013 we had a bit of a dip here in Portage," Shirtliff explains. "We had about 219 babies delivered at our site. During that year we were doing some redirection of obstetrical services due to nursing resources. Since then we have been able to recruit and train nursing staff."

Since that time deliveries have steadily increased. Last year there were 278 deliveries, and Shirtliff's hopeful that number will continue to grow. She adds the Portage hospital's a low-risk delivery site, and those who require a higher level of obstetrical care are referred out of town.

Seeing as infant deliveries in our city affects our population increase, it is noteworthy to consider that more babies may have been born into families living in Portage who may have been referred out for their deliveries.