为享明年福利计划 德国孕妇忙延产Pregnant women hope for late arrivals

Expectant mothersin Germany are doing what they can to put off giving birth until January 1 when a generous government aid program takes effect.

The media has been filled with tips from doctors and midwives about holding off birth until January 1.

While experts have warned women to refrain from medical intervention to delay births, they acknowledge the allure of a financial incentive worth up to 25,200 euros ($33,300).

"We're bracing for a siege on New Year's Day and will have a full staff on hand," said Klaus Vetter, chief doctor at Berlin's Vivantes hospital.

Worried about a shrinking population and a birth rate at a post-war low in 2005, the government in September introduced the law to encourage working couples to have children. Babies born on or after January 1 qualify for the new benefits.

Parents who take time off from work to care for newborns can receive two-thirds of their net monthly salary, up to a maximum of 1,800 euros, for 12 months. If the other parent takes a further two months off, the benefit is extended to 14 months.

Christian Albring, president of the German association of gynecologists said all his patients have asked how they could safely extend their pregnancies to January.

"They've all asked about possibilities of delaying delivery, but none want to risk their babies' health," he said.

Physicians and midwives have been saying that avoiding red wine, stress as well as physical or sexual activity are among the recommended natural methods to help prevent inducing birth.

为了享受政府明年的一项高额补贴计划，德国的准妈妈们目前正在想方设法将产期推迟到明年1月1日。

医生和助产士们提供的各种推迟分娩的秘诀一时间充斥各大媒体。

虽然专家们一再提醒孕妇不要服用药物推迟分娩，但他们又不得不承认这一高达25200欧元的补贴计划确实很有吸引力。

柏林威万特斯医院的主治医生克劳斯·威特说：“新年那天我们肯定会忙的焦头烂额，我们将做好充分的人员准备。”

去年，德国人口出现负增长，出生率降至战后最低水平。为了解决这一问题，德国政府于今年9月出台了一项鼓励双职工夫妇多生育的法规，根据规定，在2007年1月1日当天或之后出生的孩子才可享受这一福利。

停职在家照顾孩子的父母全年每月可得到相当于税后月收入三分之二的补贴，每月最高可达1800欧元。如果父母中的另一方继续停职两个月，则可享受14个月的补贴。

德国妇产科协会会长克里斯丁·阿尔布林说，他的病人都向他咨询安全推迟产期的秘诀。

他说：“所有人都询问能不能推迟产期，但没有人愿意拿孩子的健康冒险。”

据医生和助产士介绍，不喝红酒、减轻压力、少活动、避免性生活等较为“自然”的方法可以起到推迟分娩的作用。

Vocabulary:
expectant mother: 孕妇；准妈妈