In 2007, the Year of the Pig coincides with the element of gold. It is said children born in this year are blessed with a carefree life. (File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Feb. 9 -- To prevent a shortage of medical facilities caused by the high number of births expected in the auspicious Year of the (Golden) Pig, Beijing's health authority has suggested expectant mothers steer clear of the top hospitals to avoid overburdening them.

    But Xiao Xun, head of the Women's and Children's Affairs Division under the Beijing Health Bureau, said the city had sufficient obstetrics resources, based on the current birth rate.

    Xiao said the city currently has 3,800 beds and 3,000 medical workers available in its 170 obstetrics departments and hospitals.

    "The difficulty is that many pregnant women only choose a few top hospitals for physical checks and delivery, while the other hospitals have beds available," Xiao was quoted by the Beijing Times as saying.

    Xiao said the auspicious Year of the (Golden) Pig had fueled the birth rate this year, and Beijing expected a total of 150,000 babies to be born in 2007, compared with 129,000 in 2006.

    The lunar calendar designates one of 12 zodiac signs to each year. The years also rotate through five elements: gold, wood, water, fire and earth.

    In 2007, the Year of the Pig coincides with the element of gold. It is said children born in this year are blessed with a carefree life.

    This notion has sparked a baby boom across the country.

    The boom has already put hospitals and doctors on alert in major cities.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)