Giving birth in China: Redleaf Women's & Infant Hospital

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 recovery room

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. 

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.