Korean Job Discussion Forums

[noelinkorea]

Was wondering why Korean women are pregnant for 10 months? An reasons...it might explain why the opt for the C-section so often, given the overly-expanded baby head-sizes from the extra-long gestation...

[jazblanc77]

Oh no, you said the "W" word for women. Watch out!

Koreans consider the entire span of how many months the pregnancy lasts. this means that even if conception happened on the last day of a given month, that month is counted as one whole since the time span included it. I don't really get it either but I know this becuase I have had several arguments with my wife over it!

[PatrickSiheung]

haha yeah, like they're already a year old once they're born.

riiiiiight.

And you should have that "w" word edited or this post will be locked

[jazblanc77]

I think we are the only crusaders on a lost cause!

[jazblanc77]

The birthday thing is because they count the entire term from conception as part of a baby's life. However, I'm a little confused about the 100 day birthday as 100 days is roughly 3 months and added to 9 months of pregnancy, that would actually be the right time to give a baby it's first birthday (in terms of completing a full year), at least according to the Korean birthday mentality.

Doesn't this seem logical to you? Hmm, I'm going to ask my wife about that as soon as she gets home from work.

I'll update you if I get an interesting answer.

[snufalufagus]

[Zed]

[Grotto]

An average human pregnancy lasts for about 280 days or 40 weeks from the date of the last menstrual period (LMP). Traditionally, it has been calculated as 10 lunar months, or in terms of the modern calendar - 9 months and 7 days.

Fertilisation of the egg by the sperms, however, occurs (considering an average menstrual cycle of 28 days) 14 days after the last periods. Thus, the actual duration of a human pregnancy (gestation period) is 280 - 14 = 266 days.


nuff said

[jazblanc77]

I did not know that!

[dg611]

My wife an I have also had the discussion of the 9/10month issue. The basic difference is in when we begin counting. Most westerners begin counting from the date of conception...which usually works out to about 9-9.5 months. Koreans count from the beginning of the gestation period which is after menses (like the poster said 40 weeks, give or take). I therefore save myself further argument by assuming that half of the baby's DNA is sitting there(putting on her makeup or something) and is not quite ready until approximately the 2 week point when the sperm can come backstroking up the canal (or down depending on your position ) to fertilize the egg.

SO actually, we are only about 2 weeks apart in our counting and the arguement is just not worth sleeping on the couch!

cheers.

[dg611]

grotto got it up there faster than me:)