Chinese Parents Welcome Lucky Olympic Babies

Chinese parents have been thrilled by the opportunity to have children born on the same day as the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. The day is particulary auspicious in Chinese tradition since it is the eighth day of the eighth month. Eight is lucky since it sounds like the word for "wealth" in Chinese.

One set of parents narrated how they expected the child on August 4th but felt compelled to delay for a few days to take advantage of the occasion.

The Maternal and Child Hygiene Hospital of Beijing delivered 30 babies between midnight and 1 pm on the day. 20 were caesarean sections. Many parents were turned away for attempting to schedule a C-section on the day when doctors did not consider it advisable.

Chinese parents have also named their children in honor of the Olympics. 3,500 children have been named Aoyun which means Olympics. Another 5,000 babie have been named after the five Olympic mascots.