Delnor looks to expand facilities for handling births

Bundles of joy are arriving more often at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva these days.

Births have increased as much as 10 percent annually since 2005. That's why the hospital wants to expand its obstetrics and gynecology ward.

It filed a letter of intent with the state health facilities planning board in June to add seven pre- and post-delivery rooms, bringing the total to 25.

It would add three labor-and-delivery rooms and three nursery beds, for a total of nine of each.

"We're seeing a steady increase in the number of deliveries," said Brian Griffin, the hospital's public relations and marketing director.

"I think certainly a big factor in it is the increasing population in our service area."

The hospital projects 1,762 little ones to come into the world during this fiscal year, which ends in August. It expects that number to increase by 6 percent next year.

The expansion -- which includes adding parking and a utilities plant -- could cost up to $80 million, according to the letter to the state.

The hospital intends to file the detailed application for the expansion later this summer.