What’s It Really Like Giving Birth in Beijing?

On Jul 23, at 9.17pm, my second little baby girl was born in Beijing. I know firsthand the tornado of question marks that swirl in the mind of any mother-to-be, whether pregnant, trying to conceive, or just planning. The experience is already daunting enough, but add being an expat away from family in a country where you don’t speak the language and cultural differences peak and it’s next-level.

Then there’s the eternal debate: private vs. public hospitals. I’ve done both – first baby in public, second in private – and there are a few things I learned.

For me, it wasn’t just “Can we afford private?” but “Is the price difference worth it?” The first time, I chose public because

The most experienced doctors usually work there.
Private hospitals may transfer you to public if complications arise (and as a clueless first-timer, that safety net mattered).

But! Public doesn’t have to mean overwhelming hospitals where you queue for hours while struggling with your translating app to decode the doctor’s rushed comments. Smaller, pregnancy-focused public hospitals exist, some with English-speaking staff and even husband-friendly policies (yes, he can join for check-ups and labor!).

Why I Switched to Private for Baby #2

Logistics: My old hospital was now a cross-city trek, and dragging a toddler to appointments felt like an Olympic endurance event.
Experience: This time, I knew what to expect – low-risk pregnancy, low odds of complications.
Negotiation Wins: In true Chinese fashion, you can haggle birth package prices. With birth rates down, hospitals are eager to deal.

Through a series of “only-in-Beijing” twists, I landed at New Century Women and Children’s Hospital in Wangjing. Set in a park, it felt like a wellness retreat. The experience I had was incredible, from being able to have check-ups on weekends, to having them being comfortable, calm, and special.

The really important part, however, is, of course, the birth, and having something to compare it to, I was blown away! Let me be frank, I have heard and seen stories both good and bad from all kinds of hospitals, and so I do not believe that the likelihood of things going as you hope depends on whether you choose private or public. That being said, there were several things at this birth that contributed to an amazing experience.

Constant communication:
The staff constantly updated us, from letting me know how far I was dilated and telling me when they would check again, to letting me know what each test or check was for, making sure I was comfortable and always checking whether I needed anything. One of the complaints I hear most from moms, especially here, was not always knowing what was going on or why, and not understanding why things were done or not feeling understood. While I was being checked for active labor, the anesthetist and midwife both came to introduce themselves and to find out if I had any concerns or requests for my labor.
Being heard:
While this is essentially part of communication, I decided it deserves its own little rant only because of how important it is that your team not only understands you but also takes you seriously. My first birth, I did not feel taken seriously about most of the concerns or requests I had. Of course, knowing more clearly what I wanted to advocate for this time helped a lot, but what really blew me away was how easily I could request for things without any push back. From asking to have local anesthesia in case of a tear (should the epidural stop working, as it did first time around), to letting them know when I felt pain that I shouldn’t and having it promptly dealt with. Whatever I had to say was listened to, and either action was quickly taken, or an acceptable and thorough explanation was offered (like when I experienced nausea… totally normal btw!)
Professional caring staff:
Every single nurse, doctor, sales lady or liaison we dealt with was kind, gentle and experienced. The expertise was obvious and the warmth of being treated gently and with kindness was an essential contribution to making the whole experience a calm and focused one. By 9pm (which means night shift staff) I was 6cm dilated, and the doctor got me to 10cm fully dilated within five minutes simply by guiding me on how to push in a certain way. When it was time to start the second stage of labor, suddenly every staff member was scurrying about, preparing me, preparing the instruments and the baby-checking station etc. Thanks to this doctor’s very clear instructions, experienced techniques and expertise, by 9.17pm my daughter was born. We went from being just over half-way dilated to holding our daughter in under 20 minutes, and it was totally stress-free.
Comfortable facilities:
From checking in to checking out, I did not once see (nor was I seen by) any other patients and family members, which was a refreshing change from the group of curious gawkers that rushed into our hospital room during my first labor as soon as we were wheeled back from the labor hall. Everything was kept wonderfully clean, good meals and a water dispenser were provided, and we had a call button if we ever need anything from someone holding the baby for a moment while I used the loo to a replacement of tissues or pajamas.
Bonus features:
While the prenatal and birthing experience was more than enough to convince me to go back to this hospital again, there were added extras that definitely sweetened the deal, some of which we didn’t even know were included! On the last night of our two-night stay, we received a five-course meal complete with a full-sized rainbow cheesecake (that’s right, people, no dry sponge with heaps of cream and fruit!) all nicely set-out on a beautiful table wheeled into our room. A yuesao was provided for the first 12 hours (crucial for catching up on sleep!), and on the last morning, a professional photographer came to take some photos that were sent to me later on in a beautiful leather-bound album. The same photography company will then do an almost Anne Geddes-style photoshoot at your home with three outfits/scenes of your baby for a secondary album. And while all meals and even snacks are provided, you can also order waimai and the hospital will have it brought to you. In the end, nothing can be guaranteed, and experiences are often specific to people. However, due to the practices in place at this hospital specifically, I feel confident that I was given the best chance at success and comfort. While I am not sure if I will be having any more kids, I am sure I would go back to New Century if I did.