Indeed. I noticed a strange phenomenon in Russia: over all, the birth rates ARE growing (12.1 in 2008 vs 12.4 in 2009; 11.5 in 2007 vs 12.1 in 2008), at the end of each of those years, they went down slightly (12.5 -> 12.4 in 2009, for example). I'll have to research this more to really see why this is. But if I had to say now, I'd say it is because of the New Year and Orthodox Christmas (as well as Muslim Kurban Bairam) celebrations. November, December, January is when everyone is celebrating and partying. Not a lot of people are conceiving during this time.