Maternity hospitals in Shanghai have been busier than usual over
the past few months as many young women try to have babies next
year, an especially auspicious time according to the Chinese lunar
calendar.
"I found there are many pregnant women this year," said local
resident Jiang Yan. "I know friends, co-workers and other people
working in my office building that are all going to have kids. Some
of them did tell me they want to give birth to a 'golden pig baby'
for the good luck."
The lunar calendar gives each year one of 12 zodiac signs with
years rotating through the five elements - gold, wood, water, fire
and earth.
Children born when the Year of the Pig coincides with the
element of gold, occurring once every 60 years, are said to be
blessed.
However, the expected baby boom is causing headaches for
doctors.
"Pregnant women will be given a number first every morning and
wait for a check-up," said a doctor from Changning District
Maternity and Child Health Hospital, adding that every day the
hospital had welcomed 20 newly pregnant women coming for their
first check.
Normally, women don't need to take a number to get a health
exam, the doctor clarified.
A pregnant woman identifying herself as Yueyue said she learned
about the "Golden Pig Year" from her mother. "I cannot tell whether
it is true or not," Yueyue said. "But I chose to believe it rather
than miss a good opportunity."
The Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission predicted
that 131,000 babies will be born in the city this year, up from
123,901 last year. This number will rise to about 137,000 next year
and peak in 2015 at 160,000.
City officials are concerned that this baby boom will trigger a
spate of generational social problems, such as over-crowding in
schools and in the job markets, problems that could stay active for
several decades.
(Shanghai Daily November 8, 2006)