Boom is alive in North Dakota, but now it’s about babies

DICKINSON, N.D. – The North Dakota oil patch is experiencing a baby boom.

Officials with CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson say the hospital had a record-breaking 77 new babies last month and are expecting more than 80 births in June.

Dr. Thomas Arnold, an OB-GYN at the hospital, tells KFYR-TV that “it doesn’t make sense” that the number of births is increasing during the downturn in oil production. He says it shows that many families decided to stay in the area despite hard times.

Arnold says staff is working extra hours to handle the deliveries.