為享明年福利計劃 德國孕婦忙延產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.

為了享受政府明年的一項高額補貼計劃，德國的準媽媽們目前正在想方設法將產期推遲到明年1月1日。

醫生和助產士們提供的各種推遲分娩的秘訣一時間充斥各大媒體。

雖然專家們一再提醒孕婦不要服用藥物推遲分娩，但他們又不得不承認這一高達25200歐元的補貼計劃確實很有吸引力。

柏林威萬特斯醫院的主治醫生克勞斯·威特說：“新年那天我們肯定會忙的焦頭爛額，我們將做好充分的人員準備。”

去年，德國人口出現負增長，出生率降至戰后最低水平。為了解決這一問題，德國政府于今年9月出臺了一項鼓勵雙職工夫婦多生育的法規，根據規定，在2007年1月1日當天或之后出生的孩子才可享受這一福利。

停職在家照顧孩子的父母全年每月可得到相當于稅后月收入三分之二的補貼，每月最高可達1800歐元。如果父母中的另一方繼續停職兩個月，則可享受14個月的補貼。

德國婦產科協會會長克里斯丁·阿爾布林說，他的病人都向他咨詢安全推遲產期的秘訣。

他說：“所有人都詢問能不能推遲產期，但沒有人愿意拿孩子的健康冒險。”

據醫生和助產士介紹，不喝紅酒、減輕壓力、少活動、避免性生活等較為“自然”的方法可以起到推遲分娩的作用。

Vocabulary:
expectant mother: 孕婦；準媽媽