Those numbers are expected to jump as the baby boomer generation ages, overall life expectancy increases, and medical advances make it possible for morebabies to survive premature birth.
The government's fertility watchdog will also make clear the majority of babies born by IVF are healthy and that more research is needed on the birth defect issues.
Knowing the government's pledge of more cash for morebabies wouldn't be enough to raise the worryingly low birthrate, discussions on how to make workplaces family-friendly were reaching a pitch.