According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) that date is the most common birthday for babies born in Australia in the past decade.

Not surprisingly February 29 – which occurs only in leap years – is the least common birthday, followed by Christmas Day.

New Years Day, Boxing Day and Australia Day are also relatively unpopular days for deliveries – with parents-to-be or perhaps their obstetricians opting to enjoy their public holidays instead.

The ABS data shows that, from 2007 to 2016, September was the most common month overall for births – and December the least common.

‘’These trends are similar in New Zealand, England and Wales, and the United States,’’ ABS Director of Demography Beidar Cho said.

‘’More babies are likely to be conceived around the Christmas/New Year holidays, resulting in more babies born in September and October.

‘’Fewer babies are born on public holidays - possibly a result of doctors scheduling deliveries on non-public holidays.’’

Wollongong statistics matched the national trend, with September and October the most common months for births at Wollongong Hospital over the 10-year period – with an average of around 208 births in each of those months. December was the least common.

A spokeswoman for Wollongong Private Hospital also confirmed that September was typically the busiest month for deliveries.

Little Scarlett-Rose was one of five babies to be born at Wollongong public on September 17 this year, and her mother Anneliese Chapman said she had a quick delivery – being her fifth child.

‘’I was the only one birthing at the time and was surprised to have three midwives attending – they said it was usually really busy,’’ Ms Chapman said.

‘’It’s interesting that more babies are born nine months after Christmas – I found out I was pregnant just after Christmas and Scarlett-Rose arrived a little late.’’

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