More Babies are Needed in Year of the Horse, Says Singapore PM

Young couples have been urged by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to get off to a galloping start in the Year of the Horse.

Young couples have been urged by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to get off to a "galloping start" in the Year of the Horse by having more babies to boost flagging birth rates.

In his Lunar New Year message, Lee said the wealthy city-state needed "enough children to form the next generation" amid concerns over the influx of immigrants.

About Pregnancy
Detailed look at Early pregnancy Symptoms and easy health solutions during 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. With an addition of an online pregnancy due date calculator.

"Unfortunately, despite our efforts to promote marriage and parenthood, our birth rates are still too low," Lee, a father of four, said.

Lee said Singapore's current fertility rate is 1.19 babies per female, down from 1.29 in 2012. The rate for ethnic Chinese Singaporeans, who make up 74 percent of the resident population, is lower, at 1.06.

"We must try to do better. I hope the Year of the Horse will see some improvement," he said.

Anemia in Pregnancy - Causes Prevention Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Anemia is the commonest blood disorder that may occur in pregnancy and is usually due to low iron or folate reserves of the body and this is reflected as anemia.

The 61-year-old leader noted that Valentine's Day this year would coincide with the auspicious 15th day of Lunar New Year festivities known as "Chap Goh Mei".

"Almost 300 couples have registered to marry on this auspicious day, so we are off to a galloping start," he said.

Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation - What is Safe and What is Harmful
During pregnancy & lactation a nutritious diet, suitable exercise, adequate rest and a tranquil mind help both the mother and fetus and drugs hould be avoided.

"I hope to hear more wedding bells and newborns? cries throughout the year."

Despite a series of so-called "baby bonuses" to encourage couples to have children, Singapore has not been able to boost its fertility rate to the 2.1 level needed to maintain the native-born population.

Early Signs of Pregnancy | Pregnancy - Early Signs
Pregnant or not pregnant? Catch on to the early pregnancy signs and symptoms and replace suspense with relief.

Its low birth rate has forced the government to rely on foreign workers. Foreigners now comprise a third of the 5.4 million population.

The influx, however, has sparked protests and prompted the government to tighten immigration flows in recent years.

Ethnic Chinese around the world on Friday will usher in the Year of the Horse.

Source-AFP