Over the years, Beijing’s international health scene has seen several newcomers join the club while the old standards have continued to diversify their services. This is all good news for expecting couples, but the growing list of options can make it more difficult to sift through the wealth of information on prenatal, delivery, and postnatal services. Here are some of the most popular hospitals among expats, along with a smattering of newer players. The prices and facilities listed here are meant as a guide only; consult each hospital for the most up-to-date information.
BAODAO Healthcare 宝岛妇产医院
BAODAO Healthcare’s services include obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, infertility, assisted re-productive and a maternity center. Inpatient and outpatient, surgery and NICU are available, along with a 24-hour telephone service.
Facilities: NICU, infertility clinic, “Taiwan-style” maternity center, obstetrics and gynecology center, and LDR suites.
English-speaking staff? Yes.
Prenatal services: Prenatal screenings, “Mommy Week” courses, health counseling and education, special testing.
Delivery services: “Painless Childbirth” and C-section birth
packages.
Postnatal services: Pelvic floor rehabilitation, zuo yuezi facilities.
Cost: RMB 10,192 for a prenatal package; RMB 58,888 for natural delivery (four nights); RMB 78,888 for C-section (seven nights). Patients who have a membership card are eligible for a discount.
Direct billing? Yes.
Contact: 1 Xinjiekouwai Dajie, Haidian District (6200 6666)
www.bjbaodao.com.cn 海淀区新街口外大街1号
American-Sino OB/GYN/Pediatrics Services (ASOG) 北京东方美华妇儿医院
Founded in Shanghai in 2003, the Beijing branch of American-Sino provides an array of services for women and children by specialists from China, US, Australia, Sweden, Poland, Israel, and Taiwan. The hospital has US DNV’s National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations Accreditation, which assures quality and reliability in performances, processes, and organizations.
Facilities: State-of-the-art medical equipment and technology, including 4D Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment, photography, and a NICU.
English-speaking staff? Yes.
Prenatal services: Ultrasounds and fetal heart rate monitoring, prenatal psychological counseling.
Delivery services: Natural deliveries and C-sections.
Postnatal services: Immunization, postpartum psychological counseling.
Cost: RMB 20,000 for a prenatal package; RMB 35,000 for natural delivery (four nights); RMB 39,000 for VIP natural delivery suite; RMB 55,000 for C-section (seven nights); and RMB 59,000 for VIP C-section suite. Patients who have a membership card are eligible for a discount.
Direct billing? Yes.
Contact: 1) Clinic: 18 Anyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (8443 9666)
朝阳区安苑路18号; 2) Hospital: 218 Anwai Xiaoguan Beili (8443 9595) www.meihua365.com 朝阳区安外小关北里218号
Amcare Women’s and Children’s Hospital 北京美中宜和妇儿医院
The popular Amcare Women’s and Children’s Hospital has recently opened a second branch in the Olympic Village area to provide more families with international-standard medical services. Departments include obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, family planning, and psychology.
Facilities: The original Lido branch has 36 home-style private suites and two surgery rooms, a recreation center and gym, and a courtyard garden. The Olympic Village branch has 50 suites, a private gynecological clinic, a Labor Delivery Room (LDR) ward, two operating rooms and VIP wards, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
English-speaking staff? Yes.
Prenatal services: Clinical consultations from 12 weeks, high-risk pregnancy management, tailor-made maternity plans, delivery rehearsal and planning, and prenatal education, exercises, nutrition, and psychology.
Delivery services: Labor delivery room (LDR) birth services, labor pain management, doula services, C-sections, and forceps or vacuum delivery.
Postnatal services: Post-partum uterus recovery, health examinations up to 42 days, breastfeeding consultation and training, newborn care, baby massage, post-partum psychology, nutrition, and exercise.
Optional services: Outpatient appointments, night service, transportation, house calls, and body shaping.
Cost: RMB 15,600 for prenatal package (13 visits); RMB 40,000 for natural delivery (including three nights’ stay at the hospital); RMB 55,000 for C-section (five nights). Patients who book at least four months in advance are eligible for a 12 percent discount on all packages. The prices stated above include the 12 percent discount.
Direct billing? Yes, Amcare has direct billing for over 20 insurance providers.
Contact: 1) Daily 8am-4.30pm. 9 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District (6434 2388, 800 610 6200, contact@amcare.com.cn) 朝阳区芳园西路9号; 2) Bldg 5, Anhui Beili Yiyuan, Chaoyang District (400 100 0016) 朝阳区安慧北里逸园5号楼
Beijing Antai Maternity Hospital 北京安太妇产医院
Founded in 2003, Beijing Antai Maternity Hospital is known for its water birth services, having delivered over 500 since 2004. It also claims to be the first hospital in China to meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards. In addition to obstetrics and gynecology departments, Antai also offers internal medicine, surgery, and urology services.
Facilities: Water birthing pools, private rooms and suites with bathroom and shower.
English-speaking staff? Some doctors speak English. In addition, Antai’s website has a helpful live chat function that allows potential patients to ask basic questions in English.
Prenatal services: Ultrasounds, blood tests, remote fetal heart monitoring, and premature birth prognosis.
Delivery services: Water births, doulas, natural vaginal births, C-sections.
Postnatal services: Breastfeeding consultation, personalized baby care, zuo yuezi facilities.
Cost: Prenatal care costs approximately RMB 6,900. Natural birth packages cost RMB 10,000 for a standard room, RMB 15,000 for a one-bedroom, RMB 20,000 for a two-bedroom, and RMB 25,000 for a three-bedroom.
Water birth packages cost RMB 20,000 for a standard room, RMB 25,000 for a one-bedroom, RMB 30,000 for a two-bedroom, and RMB 35,000 for a three-bedroom.
C-section packages cost RMB 15,000 for a standard room, RMB 20,000 for a one-bedroom, RMB 25,000 for a two-bedroom, and RMB 30,000 for a three-bedroom. All prices are for a five-night stay. Prescribed medicine after being discharged is not included in the package.
Direct billing? Yes, but limited. Antai only offers direct billing for three insurance providers: Vanbreda International, Allianz, and Assistance Online.
Contact: Bldg 18, 1 Xinghecheng, Jiayuan Lu, Fengtai District (6773 5551, 6753 7768, antaihospital@yahoo.com) www.antaihospital.com丰台区嘉园路星河城1号院18号楼
Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital (HMC) 北京和美妇儿医院
HarMoniCare is a hospital dedicated to the needs of women and children, with gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, postpartum recovery, and stomatology departments. It advocates the medical philosophy of 5 “Hs”: Hospital, Health, Hotel, Home, and Happiness. HarMoniCare aims to offer international-standard, people-oriented medical services in a home-like environment.
Facilities: Natural deliveries takes place in an ward where the patient can be accompanied by her family at all times. The LDR ward features a newborn warming table and anesthesia for labor, if necessary. C-sections are done in a sterile operating room with imported equipment and materials.
English-speaking staff? Yes, but the hospital has to arrange for English translation upon request.
Prenatal services: Thirteen prenatal checkups from weeks 12-40, 4D ultrasound, testing for Down’s syndrome, childbirth planning, labor management, high-risk pregnancy management, nutrition counseling, TCM, a NICU, and health guidance.
Delivery services: Natural deliveries, C-sections, midwifery services, pain management with water or birth ball, Lamaze breathing, anesthesia, and independent blood bank for transfusions if necessary.
Postnatal services: Medical treatment and counseling, postpartum and newborn care, breastfeeding guidance, pelvic restoration, imported vaccines, development monitoring, screening for abnormalities, and more.
Optional services: Prenatal yoga and dance, fetal education, and access to specialists.
Cost: RMB 17,820 for prenatal examinations package (above 12 weeks); RMB 42,800 for natural delivery (three nights); RMB 59,200 for C-section (five nights). Additional fees apply for pro-gestational examinations, infant vaccines, and other services.
Direct billing? Yes, HarMoniCare offers direct billing with Cigna, MSH China, ICBC-AXA, Medilink-Global, Axa-Assistance, Aetna,
Chartis, and more.
Contact: Daily 8am-5pm (hospital hours), daily 5-10pm (pediatrics evening hours). A2 Xiaoguan Beili, Beiyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (6499 0000, contact@hmcare.org) www.hmcare.net 朝阳区北苑路小关北里甲2号
Beijing Mary’s Hospital 北京玛丽妇婴医院
Beijing Mary’s Hospital offers international-standard gynecology and obstetrics services, including prenatal packages, minimally-invasive procedures, high-risk pregnancy management, and support for first-time mothers. In addition, the pediatrics department offers an early education program that is open to newborns.
Facilities: ISO9000 and ISO14000 standard facilities, including modern diagnostic equipment and private rooms with a sofa and baby cot.
English-speaking staff? No, but translators are available upon request.
Prenatal services: Color Doppler ultrasounds, syphilis serum,
hepatitis C antigen, gynecology consultations and clinical examinations, leucorrhea routine + BV, high-risk pregnancy management, nutrition consulting, and more.
Delivery services: Doula, vaginal births, C-sections, musical
analgesia for natural births.
Postnatal services: Postnatal rehabilitation centers, educational support for first-time mothers.
Optional services: Private doctors, classes for new parents, and musical therapy.
Cost: Approximately RMB 17,000 for prenatal package; RMB 29,860 for natural delivery (three nights); RMB 39,860 for a C-section package (five nights).
Direct billing? Generally yes, but it’s best to check with the hospital ahead of time about your specific insurance provider.
Contact: 5 Hepingli Beijie, Chaoyang District (6421 6666)
www.mary.net.cn 朝阳区和平里北街5号
Beijing New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NCWCH) 北京北京新世纪妇儿医院
In the two years since it opened, NCWCH has offered international-standard pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology services at its Wangjing location. The facility covers approximately 10,000sqm and is the sister hospital of Beijing New Century International Hospital for Children in Fuxingmen and Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic in Shunyi. The hospital recently added more suites to its LDR ward.
Facilities: Modern diagnostic equipment, and private post-delivery rooms and suites with bathroom and shower.
English-speaking staff? Yes. The doctors speak English and some of the support staff speak basic English.
Prenatal services: Urine analysis, ultrasounds, blood tests, screening for genetic abnormalities, fetal heart monitoring, and more.
Delivery services: Scheduled and unscheduled C-sections, vaginal birth, and pain management.
Postnatal services: Breastfeeding help, and individualized care for mother and baby.
Cost: RMB 15,000 for a prenatal package; RMB 35,000-40,000 for a natural delivery (three nights); RMB 48,000-55,000 for an unscheduled C-section (five nights); RMB 55,000-65,000 for emergency or scheduled C-section (five nights). Patients who pay for the prenatal package in full ahead of time are eligible for a 10 percent discount. Single prenatal checkups cost RMB 300 per visit.
Direct billing? Yes, New Century offers direct billing for about a dozen insurance providers.
Contact: Daily 24hrs. 5/F, 51 Wangjing Beilu (inside Wanghu Park South Gate), Chaoyang District (5178 3366) www.ncich.com.cn 朝阳区望京北路51号院 望湖公园南门5层
Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) 北京和睦家医院
An expat favorite for maternity services, BJU offers international-standard medical services, including a western-style LRDP (labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum) birthing suite and a multi-national team of doctors, nurses, and midwives.
Facilities: Adjacent operating rooms for caesarean births, neonatal intensive care unit with advanced neonatal emergency equipment, neonatologists, a College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited blood bank, and a CAP-accredited laboratory for on-site testing.
English-speaking staff? Yes.
Prenatal services: Well-woman care, pregnancy, postpartum and childbirth classes, and prenatal yoga.
Delivery services: International-standard LDRP birthing suite, family-centered birthing services, childbirth and prenatal packages, vaginal birth after caesarean, labor pain management (including 24-hour anesthetic services).
Postnatal services: Free postpartum workshops, postpartum recovery services, breastfeeding support services, voucher for
various combinations of baby items from gift shop.
Optional services: For expecting moms, there’s afternoon tea, candlelight dinners, nail treatments, and other auxiliary services.
Cost: RMB 13,600 for a prenatal package; RMB 56,000 for natural delivery; RMB 101,875 for C-section. The prenatal package will be upgraded in August 2014 to include ultrasound at 37 weeks, and the price will be adjusted accordingly.
Direct billing? Yes.
Contact: Daily 9am-5pm. 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (5927 7000, 24hr emergency: 5927 7120) www.ufh.com.cn 朝阳区将台路2号
GlobalCare Women’s and Children’s Hospital 北京五洲妇儿医院
Formerly known as Beijing Wuzhou Women’s Hospital, this private clinic is affiliated with Peking University People’s Hospital Medical Group. It offers gynecology and obstetrics treatments in addition to a wide range of other women’s health services in a clean and modern environment.
Facilities: 12,000sqm facilities with 100 inpatient beds.
English-speaking staff? Yes, but it depends on the nurse or doctor. Request can be made for English-speaking doctor.
Prenatal services: Pregnancy classes and club, remote fetal heart monitoring, premature birth prognosis, ultrasounds, birthing rehearsal, and pre-admission preparation (VIP members).
Delivery services: Water births, C-sections, natural vaginal births, pain management, doula service.
Postnatal services: Post-partum rehabilitation, direct rooming-in (DRI), and breastfeeding help.
Optional services: Doulas, newborn swimming, and touch therapy.
Cost: Prenatal care package starting from RMB 11,898; starting from RMB 36,800 for natural delivery (three nights); starting from RMB 41,800 for a water birth package (three nights); starting from RMB 49, 800 for C-section (five nights).
Direct billing? Yes, direct billing relationship with at least ten
insurance providers.
Contact: 24 Xi Dawang Lu (south of Shuangjing Carrefour),
Chaoyang District (400 8900 789) www.wuzhouhospital.com 朝阳区西大望路23号（双井家乐福南）
Oasis International Hospital 北京明德医院
Oasis offers international-standard inpatient and outpatient services. The hospital is located near 798 Art District and covers 15,000sqm with 60 inpatient rooms and maternity suites.
Facilities: Home-like maternity suites that support labor, delivery, postpartum, and recovery in the same room, high resolution MRI and CT scanning equipment, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
English-speaking staff? Yes.
Prenatal services: The prenatal package covers all required and recommended tests, including 14 consultations, five ultrasounds, and Down’s syndrome screening. There are no extra costs. The pregnancy support program includes prenatal classes, relaxation classes (yoga, meditation, massage and TCM), and mental counseling.
Delivery services: Twenty-four hour medical treatment, optional epidural, individual support and choice, and Birth Kangaroo Care (skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby immediately after birth).
Postnatal services: 24-hour call service to midwives, breastfeeding
classes and counseling, and postpartum support.
Optional services: OASIS can organize postnatal gatherings to provide a platform for new mothers to exchange experiences and concerns. Postpartum pelvic floor training can also be arranged.
Cost: RMB 11,800 for prenatal packages; RMB 53,800 for natural delivery; RMB 78,000 for C-sections. Prices valid until the end of 2014.
Direct billing? Yes, for over 25 insurance providers.
Contact: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 8.30am-12.30am, daily 24hr emergency care. 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District (400 UR OASIS) www.oasishealth.cn 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号
This article originally appeared on page 24-29 of the beijingkids Health Guide 2014. To get your free copy, email distribution@truerun.com or view it online at Issuu.
Photos courtesy of Baodao, Tamaki Sono, Lars Ploughmann (Flickr), Sui, Ncwch, Eddie Awad (Flickr), BJU, GlobalCare, Oasis, respectively.
