Elle Lay here.
Between keeping LG from climbing the curtains, and feeding our new lil bit, I've neglected to share my experience of giving birth in China. I'll spare the details, since that's just a little bit too much information, but to make a long story short, I had an extremely easy and problem free delivery.
I had been seeing Dr. Shen for the duration of my pregnancy, however, as timing would have it, she was scheduled to travel to the states for a medical conference during my due date. I was passed on to a fellow OB/GYN in which I did not feel comfortable with--after a minor meltdown over this OB's bedside manner and a discussion with Dr. Shen's nurse, I was escorted in to the office of Dr. Lu-Ferguson. She looked over my record and agreed to take me as her own patient with only hours left in my pregnancy.
I am beyond grateful for the staff at Redleaf. I felt that Dr. Shen's nurse went above and beyond the call of duty to make me feel confident and comfortable...and it's not just the nurse, but the personal butler and most of the physicians as well.
As far as delivery day, it went much as expected. I was scheduled to be induced, but when I arrived, I was already contracting, so the baby would have arrived that day regardless. I was hooked up to monitors and checked periodically by the nursing staff and Dr. ferguson or her assistant. I did receive an epidural, which was a bit of a circus act, since the anesthesiologist didn't speak very good English and was trying to instruct me how to lay (in America we sit up for the administration of the epidural--in China, they are administered with the patient on her side). Language barriers aside, she did a good job, and my pain subsided quickly. I was quite pleased that Dr. ferguson came in to check on me regularly. In the states, I only saw my OB twice during my 13 hour labor. Dr. ferguson came in at least four or five times during my 6 hour labor.
After delivery, the baby was placed on my chest and then assessed a minute or two later. My husband was able to be present while they suctioned baby and wiped her down. He even cut the cord (and was offered to assist in the delivery of the baby, but declined). The staff made it a family oriented experience, which was different than my experience at the local Wuxi hospital (BG wasn't allowed in to view my ultrasound). A neonatologist was present at birth, and checked the baby again the next day.
My only complaint with the aftercare, was that a couple (not all-some were fantastic) of nurses seemed unsure of themselves, and when we asked questions that required a direct answer, we were answered with the inappropriate response of "okay". We just pressed on for answers and didn't care if it came across rude. I do feel that this is due to a language barrier, and would most likely occur in any hospital we chose.
Kitchenette in the recovery room
Redleaf has a wonderful midwife/lactation consultant named Lisa. She was a godsend. She came in and addressed all of our questions in a clear, concise matter and helped us rest easy, as did Dr. Ferguson and the neonatologist.
My meals were provided, and were excellent. I had risotto for lunch one afternoon that surpassed anything other risotto I've had in China (and I come from an Italian family, so I know a good risotto when I have one). My husband frequented the local Element Fresh, as well as a French bakery on Donghu Lu and Zapata's cantina nearby.
If we had to do it all again, I would choose Redleaf again. It was hands down the perfect fit for my family and our needs.
