Giving birth in China - Page 2

[MamaRabbit]

You'll have no problems registering at the consulate. They don't care where the baby was born as long as you have a birth certificate in hand with all of the proper documentation. As for the actual Chinese birth certificate, that's what you'll have to figure out.

[proudmomof4]

Originally Posted by froglegs

I just had a feedback from one of the LLL leaders in Shanghai but she was unable to give me any info concerning homebirth possibilities in Shanghai. (...)

Maybe you are luckier when you discuss that after a group meeting.
As you might or might not know, LLL Leaders are not supposed to recommend specific hospitals or doctors, or endorse one birth choice over another. Also, due to LLL's "no mixing causes" policy a Leader will refer you to the "social time" right after the meeting - but that is your chance because there might be a mother around who knows.

[froglegs]

I didn't know proud mom, but it doesn't surprise me especially here. Although, for my first baby I had asked for the same thing with the Paris LLL and they gave me the info right away.

Anyway if anyone has some useful contacts please pm me about home birth options! thanks

[kunming_mama]

I am so glad I found this forum. We are living in Kunming and I'm about 6 or 7 weeks preggo with kiddo #6 due around the first week of May. I'm at a loss for what to do about prenatal and birthing options. Everyone I know here goes to Thailand. I don't know what they are doing for prenatal care. I have 5 other kids at home which includes a 2 and 4 yr old. My husband teaches high school school at the International school. I can't really just take off to Thailand for over a month and leave them all here while he's teaching. We don't have family that could come stay that long. My hubby wants me to just to Thailand and let him worry about taking care of the other kids and he would come just in time for the birth. I don't want to be gone from the 2 little ones that long and then just show up with a new baby. I don't think they would understand like my older kids would. And it would really be a stretch with our money to do it in Thailand. I read something in a prior post about a midwife. Could someone give me some info on that. I want another natural birth with as little intervention as possible. However I'm a VBAC due to #2 being footling breech, but I've had 3 successful natural VBACs. Sorry for all the rambling just hoping someone has some wonderful advice. By the way we were still living in the States when our others were born so I'm clueless on this.

[MamaRabbit]

Coming to Thailand is expensive to birth. And the birthing options aren't great. Not sure about midwives in your area though. If you need more Thailand birthing info let me know.

[kunming_mama]

Thanks. I'm trying to look into my options here, but it's hard with the language barrier. I'd love to find a midwife and do a home birth, but I'm sure that'll be impossible. It seems like everyone I know in Kunming that has given birth has gone to Chaing Mai. What do you mean when you say the birthing options aren't that good. I'm just not sure I want to figure out how pay for it on a missionary teacher's salary and disrupt our household if it's no better of an option than where I am. I just know I don't want a typical Chinese birth with my husband in the waiting room.

[MamaRabbit]

Well you're a VBAC, even though you've done it before, you'd still have to find an OB willing to "let" you VBAC here. And as for active birth with minimal intervention, there are maybe 4 hospitals that I know of that allow it.

[froglegs]

I've heard good things about the water birth options in Changning district maternity hospital in shanghai, although it is an hour away from where i live. But when i try calling no one ever picks up. Anyone has the extension number for the Gyn/ Ob dept that does water deliveries?

Also if you know of any midwives or doulas in shanghai that assist homebirth please tell me. Thanks!!

[gingerbane]

If you are looking for a doula in Shanghai, check out www.shanghaidoula.com

[Xiaohua]

Originally Posted by MamaRabbit

You'll have no problems registering at the consulate. They don't care where the baby was born as long as you have a birth certificate in hand with all of the proper documentation. As for the actual Chinese birth certificate, that's what you'll have to figure out.

Yes, it can be difficult to register your birth with the US embassy or consulate without a chinese birth certificate. I have done so twice in Beijing, for both of my home births. The first time I got a huge run around; the second time I knew what to expect and was prepared. If you choose to have a baby at home keep in mind that you may not get a birth certificate out the deal.

PM me if you need more info.


Serena

[Shenzhen Sammy]

5 weeks pregnant with my first

Hi, I'm 5 weeks pregnant with my first and even though I know it's early days yet, I still want to start finding out as much info as I can.
I live in Shenzhen and want to know if anyone has had experience giving birth in either Shenzhen or Guangzhou. Hong Kong is obviously very close by but HKD$50 000 is out of my price range. I've heard that the Beijing University Shenzhen hospital is good and has a VIP ward. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[chinamama0610]

also in shenzhen

I'm also living in Shenzhen. I'm 17 weeks pregnant, and I would love to have a homebirth. I haven't heard of anyone else doing that here, but I am looking for more information! If anyone has some, I would LOVE to hear it!

[suzyqmcg]

doula and cbe in Ningbo, Zhejiang

Hi all,
I'm a doula and cbe who has just moved to China from Canada. I am hoping to continue attending births in China. Is this even possible? If anyone has any info or connections, I'd love to hear from you!

[jljeppson]

Just thought I would throw it out there, but Ollie Hamilton (she owns the Birth With Love website) travels for births. She's a true traveling midwife; I've known her to pack up a 5th wheel (kind of like a trailer) and camp outside someones home for weeks (in the U.S.) to make sure they get their home birth. She's flown around the world as well and I think that's actually the majority of her practice now, traveling to different states and countries to assist with HB's.

[Xiaohua]

Originally Posted by suzyqmcg

Hi all,
I'm a doula and cbe who has just moved to China from Canada. I am hoping to continue attending births in China. Is this even possible? If anyone has any info or connections, I'd love to hear from you!

How do you like Ningbo?
Are you looking to attend births for expats in the area? Can't see how you'd get very far in the local hospitals with local mothers. Chinese hospitals are SOOOOO interventionist! I think the c section rate averages nearly 50% in many urban areas.

I'm in Beijing, where things are a bit better. But China is still China!


Serena

[suzyqmcg]

Thanks Serena,
I've been doing a bit of research,and was really shocked to hear the C/S rate. I already have one couple lined up for classes (expat and Chinese wife, both English-speaking), so I'll start there! Education is the key to change, so I'll try to reach as many as I can for now.

[lioralourie]

hi, SuzyMcQ

I tried Pm -ing you , did you get it??  i would love to include you on my China Birth Options list I have compiled.  And if you send me your email address I'll send you a copy, too! 

We are in Beijing but I keep China birth info for all of China. Been expanding it the last few years.  Love to share it with anyone who asks!

Liora

[suzyqmcg]

HI Liora, I sent you a pm as well and included my email.  Would definitely like to  be included on your resource list and would love to chat about a few other things.  thank you for your resources!

[hikingfortruth]

What a relief this thread is!!!  My husband and dd (1 yr) are planning a trip to Yunnan (in a really remote area) and we've been thinking about #2.  We are buying one way tickets, so it's not like we'll be coming back really fast or anything.  It just hit me tonight that the baby would be born 3 months before first possible return date.  We are home-birthers and have no qualms against doing it unassisted.  It is a little daunting, but what a RELIEF to see others doing it too.  Whew!