Multilevel needs

In July, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital launched Golden Key, a high-quality maternity service. The hospital had long provided a special clinic for mothers-to-be.

Ying Hao, vice-president of the hospital and director of the Shanghai Obstetrics Quality Control Center, said: "The new service was launched to meet multilevel needs from the public. Demand for the service was initially underestimated."

Huang Yiying, director of the hospital's obstetrics department, said more women in big cities are going to care centers after giving birth, and charges have risen over the years. Women now also have higher requirements for their level of comfort during childbirth, she said.

A maximum of 20 expectant mothers using the Golden Key service can receive antenatal checkups within half a day.

Huang said, "In many cases, I'm waiting for the patients, rather than them waiting for me."

A multidisciplinary team attends to an expectant mother during pregnancy and also arranges outpatient services, including nutrition, midwifery instruction, and breastfeeding, Huang added.

Liu Jinfeng, head obstetrics nurse at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, said for example that at the midwifery clinic, pregnant women are given instruction and practice on how to breathe during labor.

She added that at the nutrition clinic, doctors learn in detail about each patient's dietary requirements, and help them plan what they eat and to control their weight, which will have a bearing on the baby's size and the smoothness of the delivery.

To raise questions at any time, mothers-to-be join a WeChat group, which also includes the doctor in charge, a nurse and midwife. A neonatologist joins the group after the birth.

Huang said: "We understand that expectant mothers can be anxious throughout pregnancy, and they have many questions to ask. If they have good communication with the medical team and receive prompt answers to their questions, they will develop a better sense of security.

"This will also help them during childbirth, which is an unprecedented experience clouded in uncertainties."

Tang said that during the antenatal checkups, she most looked forward to the ultrasound process, during which she and her husband watched the baby on screen. At general medical departments in public hospitals, other family members are not allowed to be present, and the screen is only viewed by the patient's doctor.

Liu said, "At Golden Key, we point at the screen to indicate the baby's head and feet to the parents-to-be. If they ask to watch the baby, this process can last half an hour."