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DOCTORS are warning of a rush by couples to get pregnant ahead of the scrapping of the $5000 baby bonus.
Obstetricians also fear mums could move forward scheduled caesareans to beat the axing of the payment on March 1.
Retailers have warned they too could suffer as a result of the cut in Tuesday's budget, saying prospective parents would have less money to spend.
Couples hoping to take advantage of the Howard-era baby bonus - slashed to save $1.1 billion - have just nine days to conceive a child if they hope to deliver a baby before the cutoff date.
The Australian Medical Association's Steve Hambleton told News Limited there would be a "surge" in the birth rate in late February.
"If families are considering children and are prepared there is an opportunity, but it is only open for another two weeks," Dr Hambleton said.
"There will be a surge."
Michael Permezel, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said it would be a "pretty busy couple of days" for elective caesareans ahead of March 1.
"Some might change their dates by one or two days but they can't move a week or more," Dr Permezel said.
"I would say it will be a pretty busy couple of days before March 1 and a not so busy couple of days after."
The axing of the baby bonus - introduced by Peter Costello in 2004 - is estimated to affect around 160,000 families in 2014/15. Around 113,000 of those will receive payments under Family Tax Benefit part A of $2000 for a first child and $1000 for every subsequent child to offset the cut.
Retailers said they were expecting a hit to their revenues.
Woolworths' head of supermarkets and petrol, Tjeerd Jegen, said he was concerned about the change.
"Cutting the baby bonus will hit one of our critical customer groups, young families. This puts more pressure on retailers and suppliers to continue to deliver value," he said.
Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said the baby bonus cut would "absolutely" hurt the sector.
"When a family is expecting a child they have lots of costs, not just for prams and cots but also medical expenses. Without the $5000 payment many will have to scrimp and save meaning less spending in retail stores," he said.
An analysis of 2011 census data by News Limited has identified the baby hotspots around the nation and those families most likely to be affected.
In NSW, Blacktown was the suburb with the highest number of children between 0-1 years old. Of the 1506 children between 0-1 years in that area, around 60 per cent of families earned less than $156,000 making most eligible for the baby bonus which is paid to households earning less than $150k.
In Queensland, Upper Coomera, on the Gold Coast, was the suburb with the biggest number of children between 0-1 years old. Of the 913 children between 0-1 years in that area, around 64 per cent of families earned less than $156,000.
In Victoria, Point Cook, southwest of Melbourne, was the suburb with the highest number of children between 0-1 years old. Of the 1676 children between 0-1 years in that area, around 59 per cent of families earned less than $156,000 making most eligible for the baby bonus which is paid to households earning less than $150k. Point Cook had the highest number of infants in the country.
In South Australia, Mount Gambier was the town with the highest number of children between 0-1 years old. Of the 704 children between 0-1 years in that area, around 53 per cent of families earned less than $156,000.
