The number of births at the Coombe Women's Hospital in Dublin rose last year to its highest in two decades.
Hospital staff delivered 7,496 babies, including multiple births, born to 7,389 women from 90 countries.
The Coombe, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, is also the largest provider of gynaecological services in the State, and performed more than 5,800 operations last year.
Dr Sean Daly, the hospital's Master, said the Coombe's catchment area is now the largest healthcare area in the State, with a population of more than half a million people.
"Thanks to the professionalism and dedication of our medical, nursing and support staff, the hospital is coping with the significant increase in demand for both our maternity and gynaecological services," he said.
"The demands on all our staff are much greater now than 20 years ago and the situation may arise where we reach a limit in terms of the number of women we can care for. Ultimately it is our responsibility that the highest standards of care are maintained and that all women and infants receive the highest-quality service."
The hospital will soon start an extensive building programme which will involve adding two new wings. The work will be funded by the Department of Health and Children and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. It will include a new "parent-craft" department, a neonatal centre and an ultrasound department, as well as a new caesarean section theatre. The hospital's intensive care unit will be doubled in size, and 15 extra postnatal beds will also be made available.