Some expectant mothers in Central China's Hubei Province have scheduled cesarean deliveries in August to ensure their children can meet a primary school enrollment deadline.
It has become a common phenomenon in recent years that some expectant mothers give birth to children via cesarean delivery ahead of their expected due date, the China News Service (CNS) reported on Wednesday.
"A lot of expectant mothers insist on doing the cesarean delivery, especially in August. Some made appointments on August 31 in case they cannot have a baby before September 1 via vaginal delivery," Song Xiaohui, an obstetrics doctor from Wuhan Mother and Child Health Care Hospital, told CNS.
According to the Ministry of Education, only children who are at least six years old before September 1, the day when a new school year starts, are allowed to enter primary schools.
A Hubei resident surnamed Wang told CNS that his first child was born after September 1 and had to register in primary school one year later.
"It was a factor that influenced our decision to deliver the second child before September," Wang said on Tuesday.
Several hospitals in Wuhan reportedly received 30 percent more pregnant women in late August than usual. Many of them requested their baby be delivered before their due date.
However, doctors recommend vaginal delivery according to the pregnant women's condition, and firmly refuse the request if the woman is not suitable for a cesarean delivery.
