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golddd2
Talker
Joined: Mar 08, 2004
Posts: 106
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 Posted:
Mar 12, 2004 - 02:05 PM |
 
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MaryR.,
Hi MaryR,
Thanks for the reply. I've searched this site, but haven't really been able to find too much detail on either hospital.
I will certainly check the websites for the two hospitals that you mentioned as well as visiting the hospitals themselves. But, this doesn't fill in the picture in the same way as peoples' personal experience
Any thoughts on your experience - or from others, for that matter?
Thanks in advance
Golddd2 |
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donna
Seeker
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: 54
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Mar 12, 2004 - 03:04 PM |
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Hey golddd2
I am with you. I have searched this site inside and out and cannot find the previous conversations that everyone has had. I would really like to see what everyone has had to say especially regarding costs, hospital and doctor recommendations and pre and postnatal care. I would be most grateful if someone could please spell out how to find this information.
Thank you for your time.
PS Good luck with the baby MaryR. Looking forward to sharing the happy day with you when you get a chance to let us know how everything went.  |
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MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
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Mar 12, 2004 - 05:31 PM |
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Golddd2 and Donna - I just bumped up a post "Childbirth in Shanghai" for you to check out. Also check out "Pregnant in Shanghai" under the Topics in Detail/Health Care Issues section. If I see anything else, Iīll let you know. |
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MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
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Mar 12, 2004 - 06:16 PM |
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Sorry - the Pregnant in Shanghai is under Family life and Kids, and Childbirth in Shanghai is under Health Care Issues.- |
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donna
Seeker
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: 54
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Mar 13, 2004 - 08:55 AM |
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Hey MaryR
Thank you for your help. I was wondering if you could reccommend an English speaking female everyday doctor, preferably Australian or American. I too am not very adventurous when it comes to my 'health care'.
Cheers |
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MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
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Mar 13, 2004 - 12:45 PM |
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Hmmm, I havenīt been to a general practitioner here, as a matter of fact I havenīt even looked for a pediatrician for my baby yet. I would *guess* a foreign doctor may be hard to find, but there are surely foreign educated doctors here - probably at the foreigner clinics. Your best bet might be Worldlink - thatīs where Iīm planning on taking my baby - I think itīs the closest you can get to western medicine here.
Iīll let you know if I find anything else though! |
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MahamYe
Rocker
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 614
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Mar 14, 2004 - 10:53 PM |
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Hi Donna & Golddd2,
I too am pregnant...about 5.5 months. It was mentioned in the other posting, but worth repeating...be sure to get in touch with Anke at Birthwise2000@hotmail.com. She teaches childbirth education, yoga, and preparing with baby. My husband and I just finished her series of childbirth education classes and found them invaluable. They really made us feel empowered about the whole birth experience as opposed to the fear and anxiety we both felt before the class. I think that being in Shanghai also requires that you take more responsibility for educating yourself than may be the case in your home country. As mentioned above, many Chinese doctors tend to be a bit over-protective so it's best if you have some idea about the whole process and can effectively communicate them to your doctor...I finally found a doctor that I like at HuaShan hospital in the American-Sino OB/GYN (Dr. Yvette Kong). Her English is excellent, she always spends a lot of time at each appointment, seems very knowledgable, and is flexible with scheduling. I think my care here is a lot better than would be the case with my American HMO doctor. I think the hospital is pricey compared to other local hospitals, but a cash baby in Shanghai is far less expensive than going the uninsured route in US. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and I'll try to help.
MaryR- Is you shopping complete? Can you think of any baby items you were unable to locate in Shanghai? I have a trip back to the States in a few weeks and am planning to pick up most of the items mentioned in the forum as difficult to locate in SH. ..Your EDD is right around the corner, eh? Hope you are feeling well and good luck with delivery!!! Keep us posted... |
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donna
Seeker
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: 54
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Mar 15, 2004 - 09:46 AM |
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Hello MahamYe
Thank you so much for your help and your time. The information you posted is very helpful. My husband and I are not yet pregnant. We are just in the process of getting all the information we need to do so in the near future. I guess we both are a little anxious being away from home but I think with the help we are getting from contact with people such as yourself and MaryR we will be fine when the time comes.
We will definitely look into Birthwise.
Cheers
Donna |
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MaryR.
Reacher
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
Posts: 317
Location: Shanghai!
Status: Offline
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Mar 15, 2004 - 05:52 PM |
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I think my shopping is complete, but Iīm not too sure. I had a hard time finding receiving blankets, you know the thin ones for swaddling a baby?? Isnīt that weird!! Anyway, my mom sent me a bunch of stuff from the states - blankets, cute little outfits, and theyīre bringing a Fisher Price Acquarium bouncey chair. I looked all over and couldnīt find one. And everything she sent me has the tag "Made in China", which drove me nuts, because thereīs none to be found here! I also couldnīt find a baby Bjorn (but did find a Snugli), but will get one when we go home this summer. Drugs were the main thing for us, I guess, my husband picked some up in Germany. I havenīt found any sleepers that gather at the bottom (with a drawstring). Have you checked out the childrenīs market at 10 Pu An Lu? Itīs really good, so you might want to stop by - lots of baby clothes.
Iīve got less than 2 weeks to go, and I canīt wait! Iīve spent more time with my doc lately than anyone else and Iīm sick of it!
I loved Ankeīs classes too!! |
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sa-sha
Squeeker
Joined: Mar 21, 2004
Posts: 18
Status: Offline
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Mar 21, 2004 - 09:33 PM |
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Another way to find a good thing for baby if you dont my 2nd hand thing is to go to a charity sales organizes by A pleines mains , french association, I went there , and the baby clothes are soo cute and in an excellent condition, with a price of a steal (5-20 rmb) mostly are donated by expat family that living in shanghai. all of the sales will go to the charity and orphanage. Baby sales every month (wednesday). more info please write to :apleinesmains@hotmail.com. I;m not a member but i think this is a good idea to find baby thing in the same time to help other people. Beside you really can find a hard to find item in shanghai, who know some peoples donate that Baby bjorn carried and you can but it like a steal....all this time I've spotted : wooden high chair, baby bouncer, baby cribs,doorway jumper(evenflo), bed rail,aby desk (Smoby),baby monitor,baby chair pad,english books, german book, french book, art supplies for children,cute dresses,and so on. Beside you can alway buy the home made french flan and chocolate. next sales: april 14. |
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lioralourie
Reacher
Joined: Dec 29, 2003
Posts: 223
Location: Beijing
Status: Offline
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May 20, 2004 - 05:22 PM |
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hi, Mehamye and Mary R. and everyone
it's me, liora, back in the discussions finally. WHEW having a baby hanging around is very time consuming!!! When she naps, for the first couple of months I would always try to nap with her. These days, we're getting lots of sleep at night, so when she naps it's time for me to get busy and prioritize--feeding myself usually comes first. Then feeding my husband some dinner. And the daily load(s) of laundry and dishes and sweeping, and feeding the cats, and, well, it's bedtime again! I know, I know--why not get an Ayi? I guess it's just a complicated issue of mine and I'll have to leave that for another discussion. Don't take all this as griping; I'm pretty busy, but extremely happy right now the way things are.
Re: the 'small baby' issue: the ultrasounds only give an estimate of the baby's weight and can be off by close to a whole kilo. My baby's size was overestimated by 1/2 a kilo...it's just not an exact science. I wouldn't be concerned about it at all, especially if you've had a healthy pregnancy with no complications.
Re: MeHamYe, what you'll need from the states: I haven't found infant Tylenol, baby sunglasses or sunscreen yet so they're on my U.S. list. And after using a few different kinds of tushie ointments I prefer A&D (it's clear, and doesn't gunk up the girlie privates like the white kinds do: Desitin, Balmex or J&J.)
Re: Pediatricians, I would NOT recommend Worldlink. I went there, and was quite turned off on many fronts. Compared to other clinics, it is exorbitantly expensive ($150 U.S. for a checkup plus her one-month Hepatitis shot) plus I found the doctor rather impersonal. In talking to other doctors, they seem to think Worldlink's standard of care is low. To be fair, Worldlink did pick up on my baby's heart murmur, an indication of a potentially serious condition, which nobody else has been able to hear.
For specialists, Pudong Children's Hospital is wonderful. They have a well-equipped VIP pediatric clinic with wonderful playthings for a variety of ages and a private breastfeeding curtain area. They do not yet offer well-baby visits or shots, though. According to the staff, they are in the process of getting certification to give Western shots.
Pudong Children's Medical Center
Address: 1678 Dongfang Lu, Pudong.
Phone: 8621-5873-2020
For regular shots and pediatrician visits, Shanghai Children's Hospital at Fudan University has a VIP clinic where they speak English. Our 2 month old shot (HIB and oral polio) cost just 150 RMB. But the optional 'checkup' is also 150 RMB, too and not really worth it--they weigh, measure and do a quick cursory exam.
Shanghai Children's Hospital at Fudan University VIP clinic
183 Fenglin Rd.
6403-7371
Clinic appointments are mornings till 11am.
So our baby's name is Rachel and she was born on February 26th 2004 happy and healthy at Huashan Hospital's American-Sino OBGYN. I was very pleased with virtually all aspects of care--Dr. Kong is wonderful and she was my doc also (good choice Mehamye). The staff is wonderful, there's comfortable rooming-in, and they let you stay for several days if you like. This helped me just focus on resting up, and establishing breastfeeding, and it also helped my husband give himself permission to take off of work and just hang out with us for a few days of this wonderful bonding time.
Here's the whole megillah...skip this part if you're not interested in reading about the specifics of our baby's birth. I went into labor at 10:30 at night and progressed quickly. By 1 am I had contractions 60 seconds long and 3 minutes apart and so I got dressed, very slowly, between contractions, with my Dear Husband's help, and we made it to the hospital around 2:30 am. By 8:30am I was 8 cm dilated and it was looking like a textbook 12 or 14 hour labor. Up until then I had been able to talk my way into delaying getting the IV glucose. But the nurses insisted on it then. Don't you know that within an hour of getting the IV drip, my labor stalled. I had read of this happening...but never thought it'd happen to me: the IV dilutes your bloodstream and waters down the effectiveness of your hormones. Contractions became irregular, the cervix began swelling, and stopped dilating. The contractions although irregular had gone from intense but manageable to absolutely excruciating. About 11 am Dr. Kong came back and said I was more swollen and still no further along. She recommended that the best thing would be to get an epidural to help the swelling and pain, and a pitocin drip to get the contractions going again. I was determined for a drugless birth, so I said no. I really thought I could turn it around. On several occasions, I forced myself to get up, walk around, I ate and drank (and threw it all up). After lunch, Dr. Kong returned and said there was still no change, except that the swelling was looking much worse. But I was stubborn. We called our friends. We called our friend's OB in Hong Kong. We read our Bradley Natural childbirth book some more. We stalled for time. At times I was sobbing, feeling utterly defeated. But it was clear that if I didn't take Dr. Kong's advice, I would wind up with a C-section. So at 5 pm the epidural guy came. And when the swelling went down, the pitocin drip was started. They must've given me a light dose of epidural, because I was very happy that I could still move my legs, and could feel the contractions. The pushing stage lasted a little over 2 hours. Actually, I could still feel pretty much everything, the epi just took the edge off, because boy did it seriously sting as the baby was crowning. But in a flash it was over, and we were holding our gorgeous baby daughter!
Some drawbacks of Huashan: I was given an episiotomy even though I was very explicit in my birth plan about not wanting one. It healed, but it was the only pain I had after the birth and I wish it hadn't been done.
Also, during labor, I found myself REALLY wanting to be in a tub. All my room was equipped with was a shower. So I sat down in the shower but it wasn't at all the same as a bath. Other rooms did have tubs, but in any case the staff was very against my laboring in the tub and cited all sorts of potential problems with it...looking back on it, I think it was just a case of being kind of uneducated and wanting to stick with the status-quo. Interestingly enough, at the last La Leche League meeting I met a woman who had THE first water birth in Shanghai--I believe she said it was at CHANGNING MATERNITY & INFANT CARE HOSPITAL located at 934 West Yan'an Road (Phone: 021-6252-1865). According to her, there have been about 100 water births there after hers. On my next birth, I might check out a water birth there.
My best advice to everyone is to go into birth well rested, extremely well-fed (with lots of protein the couple of days before going into labor) and during the birth, be ASSERTIVE (or, like me, put the husband in charge of it) to nix ANYTHING or ANYONE around you that bugs you, is too noisy, or causes the least bit of anxiety...anxiety and fatigue can definitely interefere with those birth hormones doing the job right.
Can't wait to hear all those other Shanghai birth stories--congratulationsMary R. you did it!!!!!!!
liora |
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golddd2
Talker
Joined: Mar 08, 2004
Posts: 106
Status: Offline
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May 28, 2004 - 04:53 PM |
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Hey Liora, congrats on the new bub! Even more belatedly congrats to MaryR, too.
By the sounds of it, Liora, it was a mercifully short megillah - and a much better ending than the one I remember.
Also, thanks for sharing the details of your experience and passing on your thoughts and added information for the rest of us.
My wife and I recently went for a checkup at the end of her first trimester, at the No. 1 Mother and Child Hospital in Pudong. This is an outpost of the one in Puxi. My oh my, is that a business environment as ruthless as it gets.
First question: (in Chinese, so don't go if you or yours can't speak) Do you know how much the checkup and registration costs, and do you have the cash on you now? Total was about 1,100rmb.
During the ultrasound there was a fantastic image capture, face-on, of our bub - not at all like a weather map, but perhaps a little on the 'ET' side of things. As I was taking out my digicam to snap a picture the doctor said it wont come out, but she could print a picture for us. Sounded ok .... until she asked for 200rmb - cash and now, if you don't mind! We declined her offer, and I pulled out my digicam for a try anyway, she pointedly deleted the image.
Coincidentally, and good info if the same line is attempted with you, a mate of my is here from HK to shoot some video for a US feature here in Shanghai (for the 'Making of...' promos on tv and DVDs). He said that there's no problem getting a good image from the ultrasound screen if you don't use a flash and keep your hands steady.
The water birth info was great too as my wife's keen on looking into it as an option.
Cheers
dg |
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kates
Newbie
Joined: July 08, 2004
Posts: 5
Status: Offline
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July 08, 2004 - 11:33 AM |
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I was pregnant 2 years ago in Shanghai and went up to Beijing United to have the baby, and it is interesting that some of the concerns others have are the same concerns (obsessions) I had over 2 years ago (and still have apparently as still reading chat rooms about birth). I was pregnant before American Sino and Peace VIP had really gotten started, but here are my 2cents:
- C-sections - the women here want to have them - status, afraid of 'mafan', etc.
- IVs - you can refuse. most 3rd world countries like to give them for everything.
- Quality of doctors. Ive found the doctors to be good, but the nurses are not up to standard (viz Liora's experience with the IV at A-S). Nurses also not trained in b-feeding, and still have lots of superstitions about childbirth.
Everyone should ask A-S and Peace to train up there nurses!
Now, I am planning on when to have #2, and still debating on returning to the US or staying here. So interested to hear others experiences at A-S and Peace.
Best of luck with your babies. Aren't they great! |
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Nonnie2004
Newbie
Joined: July 20, 2004
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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July 20, 2004 - 05:55 PM |
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can someone tell me the pros and cons of Int'l Peace Maternity vs American-Sino Hospital? I am expecting, and am now in the process of deciding the right place to deliver.  |
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MahamYe
Rocker
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 614
Status: Offline
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July 20, 2004 - 06:20 PM |
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I'm a patient at A/S and have been happy with them so far. My baby was due 7/17 so I'm in the waiting game now. In selecting a hospital, you may also want to read the other thread called 'Childbirth in Shanghai' that also discusses the benefits of the hospitals...Also, go to the hospitals and interview the doctors you are considering. Here are a few thoughts...
-Peace has a neonatal unit whereas A/S transfers babies to Fudan Children's Hospital if something goes wrong which means you would be seperated.
-Peace delivers thousands of babies a year- this could be a pro or con based on your birth expectations. I was a bit deterred by the baby factory image and the fact they were very brief in the inital interview and I felt very rushed. With A/S, I have never felt hurried and usually spend a lot of time with my doctor as she answers all my questions.
Overall, I think they are very similiar as far as technology, medical staff, and resources; I have known people who have been happy with both hospitals. I would advise deciding what type of birth you want to have and then making a choice based on your instincts with the doctors you interview. |
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karnex420
Raver
Joined: Mar 08, 2004
Posts: 488
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline
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July 21, 2004 - 12:38 AM |
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Nonnie2004
Newbie
Joined: July 20, 2004
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
July 21, 2004 - 09:00 AM |
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Have anybody considered giving birth in World Link? Is it a good choice? |
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MahamYe
Rocker
Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 614
Status: Offline
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Aug 03, 2004 - 02:22 PM |
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Hi All,
I'm very happy to report that my baby has arrived. A beautiful baby girl weighing in at 3.7 kilos and about 22 inches long. She is very healthy and strong, and I'm feeling much better now. Unfortunately, the hospital/birth experience at Huashan hospital/ American-Sino OG was not what we hoped it would be...We had been very committed to a natural/non-medicated birth, but due to a combination of natural and unwanted medical interventions I ended up with a c-section.
Overall, I would give the hospital a grade of B- Here are a few thoughts about my experience at Huashan
Hospital...
-They would not allow my husband to come into the OR for the c-sect since it was an emergency/unplanned surgery (arrangements can be made if you schedule for the end of the day, but not an option in our situation). Since he is the Chinese speaker in the family, this made it almost impossible for me to communicate with the medical attendants during the surgery since their English was very poor. Surgery is one situation where precise communication is required, and this further compounded my fears. My doctor speaks excellent English, but she was busy with the operation to explain what was happening so I was left guessing. Since you are awake during the whole surgery it's very scary to hear people speaking in urgent rushed voices but to have no idea what they were saying. Literally, I'm still having nightmares about the experience!
-After the c-sect, some members of the nursing staff made me feel guilty about asking for pain medication. The first night I was given a muscle relaxer shot (at my insistence) and the following days I was given an equivalent of Tylenol (a minor OTC pain reliever). The nurses were reluctant to give me pain relief because I was breastfeeding (though according to my doctor this medication was not a risk) and made me feel like a wimpy bad mother for wanting to ease some of the post-op pain (it really really hurts!!!!). When I mentioned the problem to my doctor on the third day things got better and the little red pill arrived without the attitude, but at the time guilt was the last thing I needed!
-I really liked about 75% of the nursing staff. They were very patient and kind and eager to help us out. Since we spent 5.5 days in the hospital we got to know some of them quite well and they gave us great tips about taking care of the baby. The other 25% was mediocre (and one nurse was downright sadistic).
-The food was rotten. Sounds like a minor complaint, but it gets annoying when you have to call Sherpas or send someone out for take-away whenever you are hungry.
-I really liked our room. It was big and private with a pull-out couch for my husband and a DVD/TV (nice touch since I was bedridden for several days). Rooming-in with the baby was also great because it gave us a chance to refine our parenting skills while the nurses were around to answer questions...I think this is better than keeping baby in a hospital nursery.
I would give the hospital a hesitant recommendation for those considering having their baby there. It's one of the few options in Shanghai and I have a feeling the same situation would have probably happened at the other hospitals. If you want more details or have any questions, feel free to PM me! |
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Magnolia
Board Biatch
Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31083
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Aug 03, 2004 - 03:39 PM |
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Congrats on your new baby Mahamye! |
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BOYCOTT BENSON SALON |
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meepok
Barker
Joined: Aug 04, 2004
Posts: 159
Status: Offline
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Aug 04, 2004 - 01:01 PM |
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Thanks for sharing your expereience MahamYe and congrats on your new baby! |
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sinned69
SuperStar
Joined: Sep 01, 2004
Posts: 1511
Location: China, Middle East, Asia Pacific
Status: Offline
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Sep 21, 2004 - 12:22 AM |
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awesome to read such inspiring and delightful stories... someone on here asked about worldlink... my advice to that person is forget it, they are way over priced and actually they don't have any working relationship with any chinese health care provider or hospital here in shanghai aisde from what others have respectfully written here... try www.americanobgyn.com or seimc com.cn, both of which will show you around answer your questions and more... and better still you aren't rushed and their resepctive prices are fair and reasonable, something worldlink aint. |
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