| Author |
Message |
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
 Posted:
Mar 02, 2004 - 01:52 PM |
 
|
| Post subject: Going back to the topic of childbirth in Shanghai |
I´m just wondering if anyone else has some experiences they could share with me, I´m a little freaked out right now!
I´m 9 months pregnant, and have 4 weeks to go (thank God!) I saw my doc yesterday (International Peace Maternity), and she said my baby is a little small (almost half a kilo too small). I could still easily have a 3+ kilo (7 pound) baby if it grows at an average rate. But she put me on a glucose IV for 4 hours yesterday (and I´m a wimp, so it hurt), and wants me to come in for 2 more treatments.
Is this common practice in China? I met a woman who had the same doctor, and was also told she was having a small baby, but it turned out to be a perfectly normal size. But I have no way of contacting this woman, so I can´t ask her anything else! 
My questions: Do they expect foreigners to have HUGE babies? Is this a common treatment, or done often?
Thanks for any feedback! |
|
|
|
|
Andreas
Board Royalty
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6315
Location: 31 N 121 E
|
| Posted:
Mar 02, 2004 - 02:10 PM |
|
|
Mary,
I can understand your confusion. The birth weight of a baby is determined by a whole array of genetical and environmental factors. To let the baby grow faster by administering a glucose IV (or eating more) is very unlikely at least.
Add the fact that a glucose IV is about standard treatment for everything in a Chinese hospital.
By the way my wife is Chinese and gave birth to a baby of 8 pounds and was also told the baby would be small.
Hope all will go smoothly for you, good luck !
Andreas |
_________________
If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues! |
|
|
|
MahamYe
Rocker
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 614
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 03, 2004 - 12:53 PM |
|
|
Hi Mary,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation and I can definitely emphasize with the feeling of confusion. I have not run across that scenario in any of my reading. Have you tried posing the issue on some of the pregnancy websites with bulletin boards? You may end up more confused with a variety of responses, but might be helpful. This site is interesting, and there is a Labor Nurse who checks in occasionally for clarification of questions (http://www.epregnancy.com/messagebrd/index.php). BabyCenter also has a decent BBS with a variety of issues/questions posed (http://www.babycenter.com/community). I have found several other websites that may be useful, too. PM me if you want a list. I would think that since you are going the natural route a smaller size (but of course healthy size) might not be a bad thing. I don't think you want a nine-pounder on delivery day. I have an appointment on Sat. at AS Hospital, and I'm going to mention the situation since I'm curious to hear their response. I'll keep you posted. Good Luck!! At least you are on the homestretch...! 
MaHamYe |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 03, 2004 - 01:01 PM |
|
|
Thanks you two!
I actually did a lot of e-research yesterday, and it was reassuring - my baby isn´t freakishly small, and I would be VERY happy with 7 pounds at birth! My dad talked to a neonatalologist (preemie doctor) and he said I´m just fine too.
Everythign I´ve found indicates they´re over reacting slightly. As long as it´s healthy, that´s all that´s needed.
I spoke iwth my doctor yesterday and explained my concerns and what I found, and she said she knows they don´t do this in the U.S. and that they can´t say 100% that an glucose IV helps anything, so at least she was very open and honest. We decided against any further "treatments", and I was very impressed with how openly she communicated with me.
But thanks again both of you! I will check out epregnancy, I love the babycenter!!
Mary |
|
|
|
|
|
jenming
FooJay
Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 03, 2004 - 03:02 PM |
|
|
Glucose 4?
OH, Glucose *I.V.* .... got it. 
Yeah, I'm glad you feel better about it. I was 9 lbs 10 oz at birth, and if what my mom says means anything (and I'm pretty sure it does), you don't want that. I'm sure your around-seven-pound baby will be a healthy weight.
BTW, congratulations ! hope you can post pics up here on the site when the time comes. (we'll allow at least an hour or two for you to rest before we expect pics.... )
jenming |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 09:16 AM |
|
|
Thanks Jenming! So far the baby FEELS like it´s 9 pounds! I´ll try to post a pic, but seeing how long it´s taking me to figure out my digital camera it migth take one or two months!!
Maybe after I have the baby I´ll actually make it to a coffee meeting too, I´ve tried a few times, but it looks like I definitely won´t be there until after the baby´s born. |
|
|
|
|
|
Nick-la
Wonder Wit
Joined: July 19, 2003
Posts: 3675
Location: Wasted on this site
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 09:57 AM |
|
|
I was just over 7 pounds at birth, and I'm not smaller than average, or unhealthy!!!
It doesnt matter. But I think you should never accept something told to you by a Chinese doctor. There is not a nice way for me to say this, but I think they are not as good as western doctors.
Good luck with it, I'll be thinking of you!!! Tell us how it went.......... |
_________________
I'm surrounded by idiots. |
|
|
|
|
jake2778
Barker
Joined: Jan 05, 2004
Posts: 135
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 10:15 AM |
|
|
Nick-La...I didn't know you were a woman....
I always thought you were a Brit guy......huh..... |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 10:28 AM |
|
|
Thanks Nick! I hate to say it, but I agree on the doctors. So much for all this 'ancient chinese medicine'. If they WERE doing traditional medicine/remedies on me, I´d trust it a little more! |
|
|
|
|
|
geyang
Newbie
Joined: Mar 04, 2004
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 11:09 AM |
|
|
Well some of the doctors are very "Black", it seems to me your doctor is trying to make the most (money) out of you. One way to deal with it is to find someone who has "relation" to some other ones in a reputable hospital and go from there. Well "crows are equally black everywhere", When I was in the statesI had the same experiences, although it was my insurance company who paid the bigger bill. |
|
|
|
|
|
aloha99
Reacher
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 253
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 11:45 AM |
|
|
Chinese doctors tend to overact so it's always good to get a second opinion.
And if you don't feel good about something just tell them.
A Belgian friend of mine is due in 3 weeks. She had different health problems during pregnancy. She had to take some medecine but this could affect the foetus. And when she was 5 month pregnant one doctor told her that she should get an abortion because the baby could have serious health problem and that she was too old anyway (she's 34 and first baby) ! She wasn't prepare to hear that. She could already feel the baby. After crying a whole day she decided to get a second and a third opinion. The doctors were uncertain about this issue. Some say no problem at all for the baby. But they both agreed that you could hardly tell how healthy the baby would be before the delivery. So no reason to get an abortion.
My friend decided to wait and see how things are going. She's more relax now about this issue. She started to "listen to her body" and do thing that she feels are good for her and the baby.
On any serious issue, get a second opinion and go to see a TCM doctor.
I talked one to a doctor who told me that hospitals tend to ask them to prescribe Glucose IV or ask for x-ray just to get more money. Some times you really need these stuff but most of the time you don't.
Just learn to say no if you don't think you need it. And insist when the doctor gets upset...
Have a smooth delivery !!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Nick-la
Wonder Wit
Joined: July 19, 2003
Posts: 3675
Location: Wasted on this site
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 12:04 PM |
|
|
This is one of the bets sites.....
http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/
and
www.babycentre.co.uk
seems to be really useful.
This is kind of close to my heart as I guess I will have my first child/ren in Shanghai.............
and my trust in Chinese doctors is kind of low to be honest. |
_________________
I'm surrounded by idiots. |
|
|
|
|
blackdog
Raver
Joined: June 24, 2003
Posts: 459
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 02:38 PM |
|
|
The talk of small birth weight reminds me of my twins. Being twins they were small, and premature, as in very. When I could first hold them, each was about the size on my hands, and the doctors said that due to their small birth weight and size they would always be smaller than most other kids.
We took them for their absolute word.
Well 19 years later the boy is about big enough to eat a small car for lunch, and the girl almost 6 foot and looks like a model. |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 03:41 PM |
|
|
Thanks you guys!
I´ve been told that as more foreigners stay in Shanghai to have their babies (instead of going home or to Hong Kong) the service will get better - apparently it already has improved a lot (kind of scary)! It definitely is a money maker here, but it probably is anywhere!
Aloha, I hope everything works out with your friends - I couldn´t have stomached being told that - I would have definitely been on a plane home! I´m sure everything is fine with her though - but when has 34 become too old to have a first baby?! Obviously there are more precautions to take, but it´s probably an average age in Europe to start with kids! I´m 31 so I´m not so far behind.
Thanks again everyone. I´m taking everything they say with a BIG grain of salt! |
|
|
|
|
|
xixi
Reacher
Joined: Jan 04, 2004
Posts: 312
|
| Posted:
Mar 04, 2004 - 04:50 PM |
|
|
Mary, I think you will be ok. Chinese tradition medicine is not any better here. Ask the doctors here, even Chinese medicine doctors don't believe it! When they get sick,they will definitely go to doctor of modern medicine. I still believe in the theory of Chinese medicine, but not the doctors.
Once i asked a doctor of Chinese medicine about the relationship between kidney and sex because according to Chinese medicine, if you have too much sex, your kidney will suffer. (That's why the Chinese medicine of strengthening kidney is so popolar here instead of viagra.)The doctor said the "kidney" in Chinese medicine does not exactly mean the kidney in anatomy. Then what does it mean? It means the fountain of energy"Qi" for a person. It applies the same to heart, stomach, liver....Actually, in Chinese medicine, " heart" means your mind. Well, then why is it still called "xin" in Chinese which means heart?
So confusing. For ordinary people, can we tell the difference between this kidney and that kidney if they are all the same words? |
|
|
|
|
|
MahamYe
Rocker
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 614
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 05, 2004 - 11:36 AM |
|
|
Please excuse my ignorance on the topic, but what recourse does the patient have if the doctor makes a grievous error? Is there a Chinese equivalent of a malpractice case? How often are doctors held accountable for their actions (even well-connected doctors??)
Not intending to be malicious, but you want to be assured that the doctor will face consequences if there is a mistake in the care they provide...Any insight into the process would be helpful! I'm also pregnant and deciding where our baby will be born is a difficult decision! Thanks! |
|
|
|
|
|
Drizzle
Veejay
Joined: Apr 02, 2003
Posts: 2036
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 06, 2004 - 11:47 AM |
|
|
MaryR - If you need some support/good advice, both now and after having your baby, get in touch with Andrea @ The International Mothers Support Group. Andrea set up this support group herself here in Shanghai. email: imsgshanghai@hotmail.com, telephone 5833 9708, she's a really nice lady. Many women who have had babies here contact this group, meet other mums and they have meetings each month in both Pudong and Puxi. |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 06, 2004 - 04:55 PM |
|
|
Thanks Drizzle!
I´ve never heard of this group, but it sounds excellent! Thanks a lot, I´ll definitely contact Andrea! |
|
|
|
|
|
jenming
FooJay
Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 06, 2004 - 06:49 PM |
|
|
By the way, I had the pleasure of meeting MaryR today, and here's what I gots to say about it:
1. Oh man, is she pregnant!
But that's a good thing because:
2. One frequently hears of women being "vibrant in their pregnance", and she TOTALLY fits the bill.
Oh, and Mary- don't forget a few things which apparently help a great deal, like:
Don't wash for a month.
Have lots of chicken soup (made from the black-skinned chickens, not the other ones).
And MOST importantly, be sure to bury the placenta in front of your front door (I think that's right, isn't it?)
jenming |
|
|
|
|
|
bayoubaby
Seeker
Joined: Jan 14, 2004
Posts: 53
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 07, 2004 - 08:29 AM |
|
|
MARY R.
Did you consciously choose to get pregnant in Shanghai and deliver there? We are headed over and I am afraid to be pregnant and deliver over there but obviously women do it everyday, just wondering what the deciding factor was. Anyone else who has made the decision one way or the other I would love to hear from you Thanks. We are supposed to there a year. Also anyone else go over "for a year" and end up staying much longer? |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 07, 2004 - 01:41 PM |
|
|
Ha Ha - Thanks Jenming!
I will remember not to wash for a month (and to stay away from the coffee meetings for the same time period  ) unless my husband boils ginger root water for me - that is the only way around the no-washing rule!
And as for the placenta, I was thinking I had to fry it up and serve it to guests, but I´ll go out and look for an appropriate tree to bury it under today.
Bayoubaby - I was 5 months pregnant when we moved to Shanghai, so I guess the answer to your question is yes. We´ve discussed this quite a bit on here, and the health care options are fairly good. My hospital delivers about 6,000 babies each year, so they have experience on their side. If there are major complications, or you just wouldn´t feel comfortable having your baby here, don´t push yourself - it´s not for everyone! I know some women head home a couple months before delivering, and others head to Hong Kong a couple weeks before delivery. I wanted to stay iwth my husband, and I´m hoping that nature will follow course & everything will turn out okay. I can update you in 3 weeks on how the final outcome is though, and if to do over again I would have stayed in Shanghai or went home. I wish I knew now, but the clock is ticking!
Good luck with the move! |
|
|
|
|
|
bayoubaby
Seeker
Joined: Jan 14, 2004
Posts: 53
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2004 - 03:13 AM |
|
|
Mary R.
Thank you for your reply, I hope everything goes smoothly for you and I look forward to hearing all about it. Take good care. BB |
|
|
|
|
|
okido
Rocker
Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: 667
Location: A planet called Earth
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2004 - 04:34 AM |
|
|
I worked at Mead Johnson before. According to a reach paper I read back then, contrary to what people usually believe, Asian newborns and babies are statistically BIGGER and heavier than newborns and babies in the States. Interesting, isn't it?
Maybe the Chinese doctors thought western babies should be bigger since western adults are usually bigger than Asian?
MaryR - to find a second opinion about pregnancy and baby nursing/caring, infant formula manufacturers are one of good resources no matter if you are going to breatfeed or bottlefeed your baby. They usually have nurses or even doctors to answer questions over phone or mail. Hotline numbers are easy to find. Just go to a supermarket and look at the can. Mead Johnson, Abbott, Wyatt, Nestle, ... you name it. They are all here. |
|
|
  |
|
golddd2
Talker
Joined: Mar 08, 2004
Posts: 106
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 08, 2004 - 05:29 PM |
|
|
A slight segue from the topic - can anyone recommend a good Western style hospital in Shanghai for giving birth?
We've just found out that 'we' are pregnant and will have to deliver locally.
I'm also interested in relative costings, although this is not my first priority, as we aren't covered by insurance.
Thanks in advance.
Dad2B |
|
|
|
|
|
MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Mar 12, 2004 - 12:44 PM |
|
|
Golddd2 -
There are a few pregnant women on this board (one migth have had a baby in the last week though!), and we´ve discussed this quite a bit. The 3 of us are going to 2 different hospitals - International Peace Maternity Hospital and the American Sino Hospital. Why don´t you do a search to see why we picked them - both have their own pros/cons.
Prices are good with or without insurance - I mean better than in the states. Peace Maternity is cheaper than AS, but both are a lot more than local hospitals. You probably don´t want to go too local though, if you don´t speak chinese (or even if you do). I pay between 500-1000 rmb each time I go. I have no idea how much a delivery is though. There are lots of other resources here too - childbirthing classes, a doula for after birth, La Leche League, etc. Most of the contact info could also be found on this website by doing a search under pregnant or childbirth, as we´ve talked about it a lot lately. But if you need any more info, feel free to contact me. Good luck wiht the baby! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
