A Pregnant Pause

Hubby and I went for our doctor’s appointment today and wow, were we impressed with this hospital! After just half a day there, both of think that maybe we can have the baby here

It’s a government hospital (with a private wing) recommended by my good friends – the receptionist on the ground floor was helpful and spoke English.)

Data management for China’s healthcare system in this city seems well-coordinated because everyone uses the same medical booklet no matter which hospital you go to.

After paying RMB100 (for check-up expenses), she gave me my City Citizen Health Card and instructed me to go to the VIP center on the 12th floor. The hospital is bright, airy and clean – no gong gong allowed to let his precious grandkid pee in here!

Stepping out of the lift, we came to a ‘hotel-like’ atmosphere with pleasant wallpaper and pregnant Mums seated on comfy sofas. I noted the affiliation with the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US.

I mentioned to the receptionist that I’d called earlier to make an appointment – she had trouble finding my name because I forgot I’d used Hubby’s surname. No more ‘foreigner’ for me (remember my first ultrasound scan?)!

Passing the Health Card and medical booklet to a friendly, English-speaking nurse, we were invited to wait inside.

Checking out the tastefully-decorated hallway, we wondered if we were really at a hospital LOL

You see, after that demoralising visit at the first hospital, I had zero expectations here since we were here for a routine check.

Hubby was asked to deposit another RMB500 into my health card.

My weight (yikes, 66.3 kg!!!) and blood pressure (98/59 = normal) was taken and I was asked to sit down again.

Here’s the waiting room with all the comfy sofa seats taken up by the expectant fathers leisurely flipping through magazines or dozing away.

Most of the expectant mothers were sitting on armchairs or stools in the corridor. Bad Dads!!!

Not wanting to be lectured again for not drinking enough water, I gulped down 3 paper cupfuls in advance. While waiting, I reviewed their brochures on delivery packages (in English and Chinese).

After a while, I was called into a consultation room and met my old friend again:

For new mothers reading my blog, DO NOT PANIC! As far as I know, I have not been asked to sit in this examination chair for any purpose. Even for vaginal examinations, I did them lying them down.

I suppose vaginal exams are done on these chairs here in China.

Hubby’s eyes bugged out a bit when he saw the chair – the paper and fabric coverings made it less scary looking. The one I’d seen in the first hospital was ALL wood with no coverings.

The obstetrician was GREAT! In her mid- to late-fifties, she was confident, pleasant and understanding. She also spoke good English and told me what she was going to do i.e. – measure the height of fundus and listen to the baby’s heartbeat using a portable Doppler.

She smiled and said,

“Good, the baby’s heartbeat is strong!”

I smiled too.

When I asked to check the gender, she told us to come back at 20 weeks when it’s more obvious. Since gender identification is illegal in China due to their one-child policy, I was asked to bring my passport then.

She also briefed us about the blood tests (for HIV, liver and kidney function and Down syndrome – we declined the last one), a urine test and also an ECG.

Update: I really hope that she’ll be the one to deliver me because she’d actually trained at the Johns Hopkins hospital and has 30 years clinical, research and teaching experience in ob-gyn. However, she only delivers on weekdays (not nights or weekends).

Lucas arrived in the morning – baby, now’s the time to play “follow the leader” ok?

I was impressed with the technician who drew blood because it was just a small prick – for someone who’s had to take routine blood tests for nearly 5 years, I REALLY appreciate a skilled technician!

Hubby and I are quite excited about the hospital’s services esp after the business development manager took us and a Chinese couple for a tour:

The labour, delivery and recuperation takes place in only ONE room using a state-of-the-art hospital bed which allows for various labour positions.
- No wheeling me in and out of various rooms;
- Hubby and another relative can be present;
- A midwife, a senior ob-gyn, an anaesthetist and a paediatrician will be present during the birth.

Focused on a “family-oriented” environment, a sofa bed is in place for Hubby to rest on. A birthing ball is also there to help the Mother relax during early labour. Mothers are also encouraged to discuss their birth plans!

The maternity room looks very much like a hotel room! No clinical, sterile, white, green or blue walls here. There are:
- a private toilet,
- a sofa bed for TWO (children are most welcomed!),
- a flatscreen TV,
- a DVD player and
- a writing desk with wireless internet connection. Hubby can still catch up with work

The baby also gets top-class care:
- a baby warmer and a Nature’s Cradle at birth.
- Baby is always with us / nearby and not wheeled away.
- An infant care and massage room (very clean, neat and bright) is nearby. Baby gets to swim! I swim and have been mystified by babies swimming at birth. However, I shudder at the idea of a baby using the neck flotation device…

Breastfeeding is highly encouraged! I should mention the number of breastfeeding mothers I’ve encountered during our stay here – even the confinement lady will cook dishes tailored to support breastfeeding.

CHARGES
My walking calculator a.k.a Hubby had already calculated, converted and compared the costs – it’s about the same as a 3-night stay (normal delivery) at a private hospital back home:
- 3 day Normal vaginal delivery – RMB16,800 (private); RMB13,800 (double)
- 5 day Elective caesarean delivery – RMB26,800 (private); RMB22,800 (double)

An additional RMB3,000 gets you a 24-hour nurse to help with the baby.

I find the consultation costs slightly on the high side:
- Normal consultation (no tests) – RMB170
- Consultation + blood tests + ultrasound – RMB297.30

We’re seriously thinking about delivering at this hospital, which is just a taxi ride away because it would mean:

1. No disruption to the toddler’s daily routine. I really hate to uproot him and plant him into a new kindy since he’s REALLY happy here.

2. Hubby won’t be separated from us. No more long-distance relationships or planned flights home to see us. No miserable video calls. No Lucas asking, “Where Papa?” No major home renovations needed.

3. Asking if either my Mum or mother-in-law can help with the confinement during the early winter (with the help of a full-time maid). The current cleaner could be given extended hours and help out with all the cleaning and food preparation.

Of course, I hope my Mum would come but I don’t think she’s strong enough.

Mother-in-law’s quite enthusiastic about visiting China again (she loved the shopping!) and I know she’d be happy to cook confinement food for me. I pray she’ll say YES.

4. Extremely careful packing for our home trip in July because I’ll have to bring back whatever’s not needed (McLaren Volo stroller) and bring over (nursing bras, maternity pads?, baby stroller etc) whatever I will need here.

A few Malaysian friends HAD asked me to consider giving birth here but I’d worried about having a baby in winter. I’ve got to bug those who’d delivered here for more info…

With another good heater, winter clothing and bedding, I think we may just be able to do it. Also, I’d bumped into an American friend who’d delivered here baby here (now 1 year old plus) and she’s happy to hand over all her baby stuff.

I can’t wait to meet up with her next week to find out more about her experience. She’s really independent without a live-in maid (she also has an older child) so we’re pretty much in the same boat.

Reading back my old post on ‘Preparing for No. 2‘, I pray that we will come to a happy decision next week.