Feature
Birthing Baby A roundup of Beijing’s hospitals and facilities for expecting moms
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eijing families can select from a range of hospitals, all offering high quality prenatal, delivery and postnatal care. Options go beyond choosing a natural birth, epidural or a Caesarean section (C-section), and extend to water birthing, hiring a doula and an array of postnatal services. Indeed, the variety of services offered in Beijing hospitals is far from limited. The tricky part lies in choosing one.
AmCare Women’s and Children’s Hospital
English-speaking staff? Doctors do not speak English, but an interpreter can be provided. Prenatal services: Prenatal care packages available, clinical consultation from 12 weeks, discussion on choices of care, prenatal care by a team of private consultant obstetricians, prenatal education during pregnancy, delivery rehearsal, delivery planning, a moms-tobe class. Delivery and postnatal services: General anesthesia, epidural, C-section, forceps or vacuum delivery, baby massage, breastfeeding advice, 3-5 nights accommodation (based on the package). All packages include: All meals for the patient, all delivery routine charges, an extra bed for an overnight guest, all baby care items typically used during the stay, vaccines (including Hepatitis B, BCG for tuberculosis), cord blood screening. Screening for metabolic diseases, if clinically relevant. Cost: RMB 13,235 for basic prenatal check-up package, RMB 31,320RMB 35,100 for a natural vaginal delivery package, RMB 43,850-RMB 56,380 for a C-section package. 18 percent off for booking four months in advance.
Word to the Wise
Conveniently located in Lido, AmCare Women’s and Children’s Hospital is dedicated to providing families “international-standard medical services [in a] Chinese cultural background.” The hospital consists of 36 homestyle private suites, three operation rooms and two surgery rooms. Their range of services include obsterics, gynecology, pediatrics, family planning, and psychological consulting. There is also a recreation center and gym. With world-class service at a comparably lower cost, it is a leading choice among expat mothers. Note: At the time of print, this hospital was booked solid until January 2012. 9 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District (6434 2399) www.amcare.com.cn 京美中宜和妇儿医院, 朝阳区芳园西路9号
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beijingkids
October 2011
“I gave birth to lovely Madeleine at Amcare Women’s and Children’s in July 2010. The prenatal care was really good and comforting. My daughter was born the natural way and I’m thankful to the night-shift team for their professionalism – the way they reassured and encouraged me. The only regret I have is that the postnatal following is very poor. They do not train you to bathe, nurse, or feed your baby. The nurse takes your baby and they do not want you to assist during the blood tests. And you have to watch them wash your infant through a window! But, my second one arrives in one month and I did not hesitate to go back to Amcare!” - Marianne, French, AmCare Women’s and Children’s Hospital
PHOTOS: JUDY ZHOU, SUI, NATURE ZHANG, COURTESY OF BJU
Families should note that most local Chinese insurance companies do not cover maternity for students and unmarried females. Also, most expat insurance policies require an entire 12 months of payment before maternity coverage kicks in. Read the fine print and talk to your insurance agent to make sure you’re covered. If you choose a local Chinese hospital, be prepared for some cultural
differences, regardless of ability to communicate in Chinese. In general, patients have to take a number, or guahao, and wait in a few hours just to see a doctor face-to-face. Generally, partners are expected to wait outside during these check-ups and even during the baby’s delivery. Also, bribery is not uncommon in Chinese hospitals. Bribing a nurse or doctor may be the only way to get a bed (which are sometimes reserved for VIPs) or to receive more careful attention. Another cautionary warning is that local doctors tend to push for a Csection. They’re not always necessary, but for doctors, these operations are faster, easier to administer and come with a higher price tag. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 50 percent of pregnant women in China end up having a C-section. Having said all this, Chinese hospitals are increasingly popular among foreign families and many expat mothers have had wonderful birthing experiences there. Ultimately, there’s a hospital in Beijing for you. Jelena Kovacevic