Year of the Pig no guarantee of good in china

Many couples are planning to have children during the next lunar year in anticipation of good luck, but the Year of the Pig baby boom may result in a rise in population that will affect children's future education, job prospects and even retired lives.

As the Chinese lunar New Year of 2007, also known as the Year of the Pig, approaches, lovers are rushing to wed and couples are planning to have babies. According to Chinese folk customs, the Year of the Pig is a year of good fortune.

According to Chinese folk customs, 2007 is the 'Year of Gold', one of the five elements, and also is the 'Year of the Pig', a sign on the Chinese zodiac. The pig is regarded as good luck for a good life. A 'Golden Pig' baby has the benefit of being born under two lucky signs.

Obstetrics and gynecology departments in hospitals are receiving rocketing numbers of women asking for pregnancy tests and examinations and the maternity, infant and domestic service markets are expecting a boost in business.

"Children born in 2000, the Year of the Dragon, are now suffering school enrolment problems," said a birthing expert in Kunming, Southwest China, the Dushi Shibao reported. China saw a baby boom in 2000 when people wanted their children to be born in the Year of the Dragon.

The expert worried that baby booms during the Year of the Pig and the 2008 Olympic Games will cause similar problems for children as the Year of the Dragon baby boom.

It's a good idea for couples to have a checkup to ensure they are healthy enough to have children, and those that are currently undergoing treatment should wait until the treatment is finished, Wang Tao, a doctor in Shenyang, Northeast China told the Shidai Shangbao. "Rushing to have children regardless of parental health is not a good idea," he said.

Wang said the health of a baby depends on the health of the parents and the quality of health care the mother receives during her pregnancy, and that the zodiac sign has nothing to do with it.

[ Source: from chinadaily.com ]