Western-style Hospitals
One choice is to deliver in a big city like Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong. In these cities it is very easy to find a hospital that is like a hospital from your home country. It is more likely that the staff speaks English and follows Western medical practices. If you don’t already live in one of those cities this plan may be a bit costly because of traveling expenses and housing costs. In addition to this, these Western style hospital are significantly more expensive (if you have insurance the majority of the hospital cost should be covered). You will need to plan to go early to the city of your choice as you wait for the baby to arrive or plan to have a Cesarean. Please also keep in mind that you may need to wait a few days to a few weeks before your newborn will be able to travel. (Airlines usually require the baby to be two weeks old before they will let them on an airplane.) All of these costs end up being quite expensive and time consuming.
Chinese-style Hospitals
You may decide that going to a more Western style hospital is too costly or time consuming. For those, it is recommended that you find a local hospital that meets your needs and you feel comfortable. This allows you to be at home as you await your new baby’s arrival, and saves on costs related to travel, housing and “Western priced” hospital bills (if not insured).
Many foreigners advise that a Chinese style hospital is not for everyone. Compared with Western doctors, Chinese doctors can seem more “pushy” and not want to comply with your wants. Because of the cultural differences, for many issues, patients may need to be prepared to fight for different needs and/or wants. However, some foreigners, having a baby in a local Chinese style hospital is not a problem.
Hello I am moving to Beijing and my wife is 6 months pregnant will we have issues with our child getting american citizenship when we plan to move back to America. We are both americans
Do you have recommendations for best hospitals in Mianyang Yang?
Hello every body
I live right now in Guangzhou and my wife is pregnant in 8 months and I want to looking about good hospital in care and price !
And if we want to make booking or no need to this !?
Please reply
The best western hospital in Guangzhou is the United Family Hospital, but this one is also the most expensive one!!!
KR
Susan
Do you have any information on having a baby in Chengdu, Sichuan? Are there western doctors/obgyns?
Kathy » We have some contacts in Chengdu. Do you mind if I share your gmail address with them?
I’m in Chengdu too (and I’m pregnant).. can you send me the information too? Please
Please add me on WeChat and I’ll share the contact with you. My ID is jeremycarman or scan the QR code on the home page.
Jeremy & Jacquelyn: Sure! Thank-you. Feel free to share my contact info.
Are there any hospitals in China that have foreign (European, American, etc) doctors and nurses? If so, any in Qingdao?
Darren » Yes, there are quite a few in Beijing and Shanghai. United Family Hospitals (in BJ and SH) have a lot of foreign doctors. Are you looking for a hospital regarding having a baby? Or for something else? There is an American doctor in Qingdao, but he’s not Ob/Gyn.
Jeremy,
Thanks for the quick response! Actually there are several reasons I ask.
1. There is a chance my family and I move to Qingdao soon for work. I know having the option of seeing an American doctor would make us feel better, especially in the beginning.
2. My brother and his wife are also considering coming along. They are both nurses and would be looking for work in China. Is there demand for American nurses?
3. Both my wife and my brother’s wife are expecting! So we would both be exploring the ideal hospital, staff, location etc. for having a baby.
Thanks,
Darren
Darren »
You’ll love Qingdao! We lived there for 4 years and absolutely loved it. The American doctor that is there will be great for your general care. However, for child birth, you won’t be able to find an English speaking foreigner, unfortunately. However, we did enjoy doing much of our prenatal care at the Korean clinic. The English level isn’t so high, but the care is closer to what foreigners are used to…albeit, still not American. 🙂
As for a demand for American nurses, that’s a tough one. I’ve heard that it is very hard to work in the medical field as a non-Chinese. The tests to qualify are in Chinese and the pay is not similar to that of the West. But, I’m not an authority on the matter. That’s just what I’ve heard.
Congrats on the pregnancy of your wife and sister-in-law! I would recommend Qingdao Women and Infants Hospital. We delivered our third there and had a good experience. No foreign doctors, but Western friendly and they have a couple of doctors that speak a bit of English. Keep in touch and and let us know how everything turns out.
Jeremy,
Thanks for all the info! It has been very helpful.
Hi,
I called Fuying today, and it looks like I might have the baby in QD with them. I would be traveling from Xi’an by train about a month in advance of the due date. Could you recommend any short-term rental possibilities near to the hospital. Also, could you please tell me the name of the area that the Fuying is located. I would need to find something very near to it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Mariah
That’s great! We had a great experience at Fuying. I’ve sent you an email with information on QD and Fuying.