Pregnancy
The Nine-Month Countdown
Congratulations! You are pregnant and this is one of the most exciting things that will ever happen to you. As an expat without extended family close by, the thought of having a baby in a foreign country may seem daunting, but mothers-to-be in Beijing need not worry. Because medical facilities in Beijing offer a full range of options for pregnant women, a many expat women opt to have their babies here. At Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU), which follows an American model, Dr. Afnan, chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department explains, “We are well-equipped, have an intensive care facility, and experienced doctors.” But wherever you choose to give birth, there is a long list of things to do in preparation for the baby. With the help of Dr. Afnan, here is a month-by-month guide for moms-to-be.
And Baby Makes Three (Or Four...)
Fifteen years ago, having a baby in Beijing wasn't an option for most expat moms. Now, with a range of world-class facilities and professionals, moms-to-be can expect family-friendly private rooms, longer stays and midwife support. But navigating the system still involves some trial and error, which is why beijingkids is here to walk you through one of the most important times in your life.
In the Beginning: Conception
As a general rule, couples should start planning for a baby long before they actually conceive. First things first: Does your insurance provider cover you and at which hospitals? Once you're up to speed with your health insurance coverage, you can move on to the fun stuff.
Giving Birth, Naturally
Wanting a natural birth is simply another way of saying you want the least amount of medical intervention as possible. Giving birth naturally has many rewards for both mother and child: The mother feels a high sense of accomplishment, her rate of recovery is often faster and she is quickly able to attend to her baby. At the same time, the baby is alert and ready to begin feeding. Any possible unwanted side effects due to the medication have been thwarted. But with every important decision, it's best to arm yourself with the facts first.
Postnatal Depression
Childbirth is a life-changing experience and adjusting to motherhood can be difficult. Some women are prone to depression as they come to terms with the demands of caring for a new baby. For most, the symptoms are mild; however, some develop a more disabling condition known as postnatal depression (PND). Dr. Wei Chang, a psychologist from the Family Counseling Center at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU), offers her advice for moms who are suffering from PND.
What are the baby blues?
More than half of new mothers will suffer baby blues in the days and weeks after giving birth, with relatively mild symptoms, like mood swings, anxiety, unexplained sadness and irritability. Symptoms generally fade within three weeks.
Demystifying Old Wives' Tales
Chinese people love to disperse pregnancy tips, share their birthing traditions and offer up their age-old superstitions. beijingkids seeks out the modern take on these traditional Chinese beliefs from Deng Lei, mother of 13-year-old daughter Li Jiameng and one-year-old Li Jiaxua Beijing, and Dr. Sun, a gynecologist at International Medical Clinic (IMC) who has been treating Chinese and foreign patients in Beijing for the past five years.
1. After the first three months, the shape of the mother's pregnant belly is a prediction of the sex of the baby.
It is said that a pointed belly means the baby is male, while rounded indicates a female fetus. To conceive a baby of the desired sex, tradition advises a couple to feast on specific foods seven days before conception. If they want a boy, they should eat tofu, mushrooms, carrots and lettuce. For a girl, the diet is pickles, meat and fish.
Body After Baby: Experts dish on how to get your pre-pregnancy body back
After giving birth, new mothers often feel physically exhausted, run-down, and weak. Jodi Noffsinger Hwang would know - she’s a former marathon runner and yoga teacher at the Yoga Yard who found it almost impossible to make time to exercise following the birth of her son, Kai (now 2 years old). Hwang teaches pre- and postnatal yoga and says one of the biggest problems women face when looking to regain their pre-baby bodies is maintaining a regular exercise schedule. “I wouldn’t call that a mistake but it’s an obstacle – your body needs time to heal,” says Hwang.
Nine Months in Beijing: Your month-by-month pregnancy guide
Month 1
So, you’ve discovered you’re pregnant – congratulations! Now what? Doctors recommend taking prenatal vitamins (the earlier, the better). Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube defects and omega-3 fatty acids boost the immune system. Discontinue any form of chemical birth control, and resolve to be as healthy as possible: Cut out alcohol, tobacco, X-rays, and over-the-counter medications (unless your doctor approves). Now is the time to sit back, relax and get ready for the ride.
To Do: Pick up books on pregnancy at Chaterhouse Books.
Month 2
Prenatal Nutrition: Get your essentials
Folic Acid
Folate and folic acid has long been identified as the most important nutrient for pregnant women for preventing serious birth defects of the brain and spine in developing babies. All prenatal vitamins (including those prescribed in Beijing) include folic acid, the synthetic form of the naturally occurring B vitamin, folate. Natural sources of folate include:
Beans
Lentils
Oranges
Cantaloupe
Avocado
Soybeans and soymilk
Green leafy vegetables
Beets
Broccoli
Asparagus
Potato
Folic acid is also found in enriched grain products like flour or wheat germ. Western brands of enriched flour such as Gold Medal can be found at Jenny Lou and Lohao carries wheat germ.
Essential Fatty Acids
Recommended Reading for Expectant Mums (and Dads)
Mothers in Beijing recommend these sources for information on pregnancy and childbirth:
What to Expect When You Are Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
The new fourth edition of what is arguably the most famous English-language book on pregnancy is as exhaustive as it is thick. The 600-page tome discusses topics ranging from pregnancy tests and month-by-month fetal development to diet, illness symptoms and even advice on sex during pregnancy.
The Expectant Father by Brott Armin
Aimed at fathers-to-be, The Expectant Father comes with a month-by-month explanation of the different stages of pregnancy and gives an overall view of the different hurdles (ranging from physical to financial) that first-timers can expect to face.
Giving Birth in Beijing: The ins and outs of pregnancy in the capital
Even before I moved to Beijing, I was planning to have a baby during our time here. Sure enough, a few months after we arrived and settled in, I became pregnant. My friends at home thought I was so brave to give birth (twice!) in China, but if they knew the realities of my situation - world-class hospitals and staff, the option of private suites, and household help - I am not sure they would still be quite so awed.
Shortly after arriving in Beijing, Shannon Byers returned to the US to give birth to her first child - because she was scared. “I felt sick and had no friends yet to ask for help, so I opted to return home to have the baby.” Now, after having spent more a year in Beijing, Byers doesn’t think returning home to give birth is necessary. She has developed a good network with lots of friends who have had children in Beijing - in fact, she’s the only one among them who didn’t have her baby here. Pregnancy is always a daunting experience, but like anything else, with the right information, it’s perfectly manageable in our city.
