We just got back from the private Taiwanese-owned hospital and got our first impression of maternity services in China. As this is one of the better hospitals so I can only leave the rest to imagination.

With my friend’s help, I called up the English-speaking nurses (hu xi) and made my appointment. Hubby and I took a taxi there together and arrived at a pleasant-looking, pastel-pink, modern and new building.

REGISTRATION
As instructed by the nurse, I had to register first before seeing the obstetrician. When asked if I wanted a female or male, I opted for a female although my previous gynae was a male

After lining up with many, many outpatients, I was told to fill up a form first. Thankfully, a Chinese man in the next line shoved me an empty form. Oops!

We paid RMB6.50 for registration and then waited outside the obstetrician’s clinic. Before that, we grabbed a bunch of tea eggs and a bottle of water for a snack. Mmm…the tea eggs were good.

The nurses, dressed in pink, were very young and I guess it doesn’t help that images of Gong Li’s pregnant daughter in Zhang Yimou’s movie “Lifetimes” or “To Live” came to mind when I saw them…

THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE
Entering the doctor’s office, we found that it was very basic and ‘clinical’ with the obstetrician at her desk and computer, while two nurses stood in front of her.

Next to her is an examination bed (?) with a curtain around it. When it was my turn, we found that the lady doctor doesn’t speak English although she can read English. She noted down my lack of allergies and last menstrual period.

She asked if it’s my first child. After that, she asked if I’ve ever had an abortion! We were stunned but quickly answered her after recovering from the shock.

Then, the nurse asked me to lie down while she used a fetal Doppler machine (fetal heartbeat monitor) to try to listen for the heartbeat. After pressing hard on my tummy a few times, she said she couldn’t hear anything.

I was then asked to go into another small room which had nothing but an old-fashioned gynaecologist’s chair. She wanted me to get into a labour position with legs up in holsters for her to give me a vaginal examination!

Horrified, I didn’t even step into the room said no, thanks, can’t we just do an ultrasound scan? I really didn’t see the need for such an invasive exam when nothing’s wrong with me.

I had to make an appointment for that and then the doctor and nurse informed me that I will be changed to the English-speaking doctor instead.

I agreed and couldn’t wait to get out of the room!

AFTER THE GETAWAY…
Hubby had to go back to the cashier to pay for the ultra-sound scan first and met me back at the waiting area. I felt quite faint after that and sat down to wait for him

While waiting, I noticed a grandfather trying to make his grandson pee on the polished tiled floor! Gosh, the hospital had some nice, clean toilets just around the corner…

Also, the obstetrician I saw had “high-danger pregnancies” listed under her name. Was I just unlucky to get her because I’d chosen a lady doctor?

When he returned, he told me that the English-speaking doctor’s appointments were all taken today - I’ll have to come back on my own a few days later.

I think Hubby could see that I couldn’t wait to GET OUT of the hospital as fast as possible.

Since the bus taking us to town wasn’t leaving in an hour, we bought more tea eggs and a steamed sweetcorn to munch on outside in the semi-arid park.

Far away from the noisy environment, Hubby asked me what was in the room. I told him what I saw.

Talking about the doctor’s cold demeanour, Hubby said even if I ever thought of delivering in China, he wouldn’t support the idea!

To make up for the horrifying experience (which is supposed to be a routine one to confirm the pregnancy and estimate the due date), we went for a nice lunch at Pizza Hut and then Hubby went back to work.

Going home, I compared notes with the cleaner who told me that my consultation was certainly unusual because she was asked to a) take a urine test and b) given an ultrasound!

Tired from the trauma and travel, I hit the sack.

I hope that the next appointment with the other doctor will turn out better since I’ll be going on my own

Read about:

• the ultrasound scan and

• a check-up at a private VIP maternity center.

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