Prenatal care in China: Redleaf women's and infants hospital

        Redleaf Women's and Infant Hospital

Seeing as I have hit full term and am about to deliver, I thought I might write about my experience receiving prenatal care at Shanghai's new Redleaf Hospital, located on Huaihai Middle Rd (Changshu subway station: line 1) near the French concession. 

          Main entrance from Huahai Middle Rd.

We had originally started our care at Parkway, but when their most popular OB left for a new job at Redleaf, I followed. My husband and I toured the hospital and medical offices and were really impressed with the new western equipment, private recovery rooms, pristine L&D rooms, the clean floors, special care nursery equipped with incubators and neonatologists for minor complications, and working electrical systems and such. 

You'd think it would be a given, but here in China, maintenance upkeep isn't really common. I just keep remembering our visit to the Wuxi women's hospital and the dim lighting, missing ceiling tiles and overall feeling of disrepair. 

Anyways, already happy with the hospital, we were even happier to find a wonderful OB/GYN who has gone above and beyond what I consider good bedside manner with her attentiveness to detail, addressing my fears and making this pregnancy as enjoyable as it can be when anxiety gets the best of me. She happens to be Chinese, but speaks fluent English and has adopted western medicine as her method of practice. 

Everything I have had done, and experienced at Redleaf is just as I would in the USA. The testing is the same (glucose tolerance test between weeks 24-26), level II ultrasounds, urinalysis at each visit, NST's after week 36 and the strep B culture done at 36-37 weeks. I haven't felt like anything unnecessary has been done, nor do I feel like any stone has gone unturned. It's very comforting having visits go as planned and having everything explained to us at each visit.

I'd have to say my only complaint, is that the radiologists/ ultrasound techs don't speak English. Given my anxiety about losing another baby, it's a challenge for me not to expect the worst when they stop and view the heart or kidneys, then chatter amongst themselves..thankfully, my OB does come in to provide a synopsis of what they saw and always explains what measurements etc they were looking at and why. I appreciate that a ton. There is no rushing with our Doctor. She always has time for discussion. 

As far as timeliness of appointments, we have lucked out most of the time, being roomed within ten minutes of my scheduled time. There's been a time or two we have had to wait longer, but overall, I am impressed with how the staff operates and gets patients back to rooms on time. We've been lucky enough to make my appointments for Saturday mornings, so that BG and LG can come with me for moral support. I'm usually greeted at the front desk, asked to give a urine sample, then whisked to have my BP, pulse and weight checked. From there, we head to the OB's office for my exam, Q&A and if an ultrasound is needed, we are taken directly to the room without having to wait. It's a breath of fresh air coming from Parkway where we would be sent to the waiting room between each portion of the visit and would often wait 15-20 minutes between each. 

Another advantage Redleaf offers is that of a personal patient liaison. After we purchased a prenatal package, I was appointed a liaison to whom I can call at any time with questions. This individual responds to my requests and inquiries rather than playing telephone with a third or fourth party. My OB has also provided her cell phone number, but I feel awkward using it unless it is an emergency. I feel like the staff cares about the service they provide and treat each patient as their only patient. 

I mentioned that we purchased a prenatal package. The package covers all visits (outlined on their website) from week 20-41, including routine testing and exams. The rate is discounted if you purchase a package vs paying ala carte. Since our insurance has a maximum cap on maternity coverage, we opted to buy a package up to keep overall costs lower, and I submit my claims to my insurer on my own. So far we have had no problems with Redleaf providing all necessary documentation at the end of each appointment so that I am able to submit my claims in a timely manner.

All in all Redleaf has been a great fit for us in terms of prenatal care. 

[Post Written by Elle Lay]

To learn more about Redleaf, visit their website:

www.redleafhospital.com

Easy access from Wuxi by train/subway:

Train from Wuxi railway to Shanghai Station (30-45 minutes)

Subway line 1 from Shanghai Station to Changhu Rd 

Exit #2 to Huaihai middle Rd

Turn Right, walk 1/2 block

Hospital is on the right 

There are a few great eateries near Redleaf as well. Wagas, Element Fresh, Elefante and Whisk are within one block of Redleaf towards Donghu Lu, and there is a Starbucks near exit #7 at changshu station.