Olympic frenzy = caesarean boom

For pregnant Chinese women, 8 August is particularly auspicious day for giving birth and not only because this is the slated start for the Beijing Olympics.

According to Chinese tradition, the eighth day of the eight month of the eighth year is considered extremely lucky. Coupled with the opening of the Games, giving birth on this day is thought to bring good luck to a baby.

You can guess what happens next. According to local reports, expectant women in Chinese cities have been requesting caesareans for that day. One hospital in Shijiazhuang has received requests from 78 pregnant women.

It has been noted that China has also been experiencing a baby boom this month because many women tried to time their pregnancy around giving birth in August.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1181375

Beijing baby mamma badges

So it seems the Chinese government is concerned about pregnant women. These badges which say 'Thank you for helping my mother' are being distributed to women "so that their rights and safety can be better guaranteed in public."

Now, I'm not quite sure what that means. Is walking down the street now dangerous if you're pregnant? Are people supposed to treat you better if you're pregnant? Is this a way for you to get a seat on the train?

Or is this badge just an invitation for other people to tell Chinese pregnant women what to do? Perhaps we can read this badge as a foetus saying, 'Thanks for helping my mother, her womb is a dangerous place" especially when it comes to maternal behaviour. If mum is eating the wrong thing, having a drink or smoking are do strangers now have the right to intervene if you are wearing this badge?

The word "help" suggests that pregnant women are inept, need looking after, and that foetuses are the more important citizens.

Should pregnant women in other countries get badges announcing the presence of their foetuses?

Source: http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20080627/104818.shtml