Good news: Baby boom expected after snow
Last updated 19/01/2010 10:50:10
Baby boom expected after snow
Many couples across the UK could be hearing the patter of tiny feet in nine months' time, with the Big Freeze leading to a baby boom.
Experts are expecting many more births following the snow that swept Britain. Studies suggest that extra pregnancies result when couples are snowed in and snuggle up to keep warm during the winter weather.
The Royal College of Midwives is gearing up for an extra busy time – because the baby boom will follow babies conceived at Christmas.So it's likely to be double whammy from September, on top of the normal Christmas conceptions.
"All across the country, people have been snowed in, or getting home from work early so they can escape the worst of the weather," said a college spokeswoman. "Some of them are going stir crazy, others are finding ways to entertain themselves.
As one economist explained: "There is evidence from across the world that severe weather conditions can have an impact on conception rates, and it's not hard to work out why.
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