People around the world celebrate the lucky number 12

People around the world have taken advantage of 12 December 2012 to celebrate a special event to them. Some welcome a new baby brought to this world while others tie the knot.

Parents around the world who welcomed babies on Wednesday say they believe the date is a ‘special’ day.

For an Indonesian hospital that usually delivers on the average of five babies a day, Wednesday is indeed an extraordinary day reported by Reuters.

Seizing the special date of 12-12-12, Indonesian parents decided to have caesarean section surgery done to delivery their babies.

The hospital confirmed that the birth rate had jumped for the day, and many are pre-requested C-section births.

“So far it’s been 10 babies born from the 18 births. It is indeed in terms of birth rate, yes it's increased especially for today,” said one doctor, Andrew, indicating that 10 were C-section births.

Meanwhile, in the UAE women have also requested the procedure to give birth on this day, Emirates 24/7 news online reported.

“There has been a trend over the past couple of years of women wanting to plan their birth,” Leon Du Preez said, a Medical Director of Medi Clinic City Hospital Dubai told the daily.
However, not all hospitals support the practice.

While, families welcome new members, couples are using the date to tie the knot calling it ‘magical.’

Couples booked wedding halls months in advance to celebrate the century’s last sequential date.

Wedding halls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have taken the occasion to their advantage and increased their prices by 30-50 percent, Saudi Gazette reported.

“The 12th of December is a special day. Reservations were made more than 10 months ago and the full amount was paid in advance. There are people who are willing to pay double the amount but (the rule is) first come, first served,” a wedding hall representative told the Saudi Gazette.

Dubai witnessed an influx on the date with couples flying in to unify on this date.

While many around the world see 12/12/12 to be a special day others suggest it may be the beginning of an apocalypse as per the predictions of Mayan calendar that the world will end on December 21.