Cassie Ashdown, of Perth, and her two-year-old daughter, Chelsea. Picture: SCOTT GELSTON
CASSIE Ashdown said it must have been "something in the water" that led to a baby boom in Tasmania in 2011.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday revealed data from 2011 that indicated Tasmania had the highest fertility rate, at 2.17 babies a woman.
Tasmania was also shown to have the biggest rise in births, with 223 more registered births - a 3.5 per cent increase since 2010.
Ms Ashdown was 22 when she gave birth to Chelsea on January 18, 2011.
Aside from the usual difficulties first-time parents face, a routine scan on Ms Ashdown found tumours on her daughter's heart.
It was discovered Chelsea suffered from a rare genetic disorder, tuberous sclerosis.
"I was scared, it was a very big deal," Ms Ashdown said.
The disorder - which can result in developmental delays, behavioural problems, seizures and skin discolouration - directly affects more than 2500 people in Australia.
"We don't know what's going to come," Ms Ashdown said.
"But she's beautiful, she's perfect and she doesn't let it affect her."
Ms Ashdown said she knew quite a few people who were also pregnant in 2010 and 2011, and mentioned a range of support networks, particularly in Launceston and on Facebook.
Like any other parent, Ms Ashdown has learnt to adjust to life as a mother."It's challenging, but people are getting together to learn," she said.