Giving Birth in China: a Guide for Expat Moms-to-be

International hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai offer English-speaking care for expat moms, though delivery costs run from RMB 60,000 to over RMB 120,000. This guide covers hospital options, insurance, and the cultural customs to know before your due date.

Giving birth can be a worrying prospect at the best of times, as well as an exciting one. Apart from the pain involved, there are risks to the health of both mother and baby. For the experience to be fulfilling and joyous, it helps for Mom to feel safe and in control.

These challenges are exacerbated in a foreign country, and China is no exception. Firstly, there is the issue of language. If you are unable to communicate with medical staff and express your needs clearly during childbirth, this can be a serious problem. Unless you or your birth partner is fluent in Chinese, you will need your midwife or doctor to speak English.

A second issue is that although public hospitals in China are clean and well-equipped, with highly trained staff, they can feel impersonal. If you have a minor condition and just want to be seen and get out, then being shunted round from department to department like a production line is speedy and efficient. However, for a life-changing event like childbirth, you may want care which treats you more as an individual.

Thirdly, in China there are grounds for concern about privacy. It is far from unknown for an intimate examination to be interrupted by an impatient patient, demanding to be seen immediately. Some people will stick their head round a curtain out of curiosity on hearing a foreign language spoken.

These habits are less common in the younger generations who have not grown up with communal living, but some older people will have little respect for western concepts of personal space.

Despite all this, many women from the international community have given birth in China without problems, and often have chosen to have a second child there. As with everything else in expat life, a little research and preparation can help smooth the way, and for an important life experience like this, careful planning is essential.

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Learning You are Pregnant 

If you think (or hope!) that you are pregnant, the first step is to get a pregnancy test. These can be bought at any pharmacist, and are not expensive, costing RMB 30-50 for two tests. It’s also possible to buy a basic test for less than RMB20.

You can even get them from Taobao! You may want to buy a brand name from your home country. This is not to suggest that Chinese brands are unreliable, but because you will be able to find online instructions in your own language.

If the test indicates you are pregnant, you will need to confirm it with a doctor. (Home pregnancy tests are 99 percent accurate, but this still leaves some scope for error.) This can be done at any hospital with a maternity department, but is likely to involve some form-filling in Chinese. Depending on your Mandarin level, you will need to consider whether to attend an international hospital where English-speaking staff can help you. 

Public or Private?

One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the hospital for your prenatal checkups and where you will eventually give birth.

Depending on where you live in China, you are likely to be choosing between an international hospital, a Chinese private hospital, or the public health system. The maxim that “You get what you pay for” very much applies. Broadly speaking, international hospitals offer the best experience but are most expensive, while the public system is cheapest but may be a challenging experience. Whether you give birth in a deluxe private room, or a noisy, crowded ward, depends on your budget and your insurance package (see the Costs and Insurance section below.)

International private hospitals will offer an experience more like that you would expect in the west. Medical staff will all speak English, and will have more time to answer your questions and address your concerns. Rooms are more likely to be private, or shared with one other woman at most. Facilities and equipment are as good as you will find anywhere in the world.

The Chinese public system has up-to-date equipment and highly trained staff (in the big cities at least.) However the cultural differences are significant. Doctors do not put a high priority on “bedside manner”. They are less likely to speak English, and have little time to chat, even if your Mandarin skills are up to it. They will make decisions about what is best for you and your baby, and your personal choices play little part.

The environment too may involve some culture shock. You are likely to be on a large ward with many other expectant moms. Male partners are not allowed in, and will not be present to support you at the birth itself. Female relatives supply much of the care which nursing staff would provide in the west, including bringing in food; most Chinese hospitals don’t provide meals to patients. You may feel that you are surrounded by strangers who have little regard for your privacy.

Pitched in between the public system and the big international hospitals are Chinese private providers. In the past these have had a poor reputation, but there are new players in the market which are raising standards. They offer a mid-priced option, providing more privacy and individual attention than the public system, while not necessarily reaching the gold standard of the top international organizations.

Tip: Women from the international community who have given birth in China often report that the most important consideration is to find a consultant or doctor whom you trust, and who shares your view of how you want your childbirth experience to be. With this relationship in place, everything else becomes much easier.

Hospital Tours 

The best way to assess the options available is to take a tour of the hospital. Most international and private providers will be happy to show off their facilities to a prospective customer. Public hospitals are very unlikely to offer this service, although it’s always worth asking.

Delivery Options

In a Chinese public hospital, the doctor will make decisions about the birth which you will be expected to comply with. Caesarean sections are very common, with any slight complication usually seen as a justification for medical intervention. Caesarean rates are also increased by high numbers of elective C-sections; certain dates and times of year are viewed as either lucky or unlucky, and many Chinese women will arrange to give birth on a day viewed as auspicious.

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If you do give birth naturally in a public hospital, this will typically be in an all-female ward: male partners will have to wait outside. 

In a private or international hospital, your doctor is more likely to respect your birth plan and your wishes for your type of birth. Make sure that you have made your request very clear and that your partner is also in communication with your doctors to make the right decisions if you are unable to at any time in the process.  

If you want to give birth at home…then unfortunately, the simple answer is you can’t. Home births aren’t common nor recognized in China.

Costs and Insurance

Costs of medical services in China are significantly lower than in the US, though if you come from a country with free healthcare such as the UK, you may get a shock when presented with the check.

Birth Cost Estimates

Hospital type	Item	Cost (RMB)	Cost (USD, approx.)
Public hospital	Prenatal checks	12,000	1,650
Public hospital	Delivery	3,000 to 6,000	420 to 830
International or private hospital	Prenatal care	25,000	3,500
International or private hospital	Natural delivery	60,000 to 80,000	8,300 to 11,100
International or private hospital	C-section	90,000 to 120,000	12,500 to 16,700

A good insurance package can bring private care within the reach of most expats. However, it’s important to check the small print, particularly if you are considering having a child. Most plans carry a 12-month waiting period before maternity benefits activate, something many expats only discover after they’re already pregnant. Check your policy well before you start trying.

Maternity services are not included in all packages, and “co-pay” is common, where you will be expected to meet a percentage of the costs yourself. Many insurers also offer helplines, so you can call English-speaking staff for advice and support. For more information, see our article on medical insurance.

Maternity Insurance for Foreign Employees: What It Covers

If you work in China for a registered employer, your employer has to enroll you in China’s social insurance. Maternity insurance is one of the five schemes, and foreign employees are included. (Verified October 2026.)

The scheme pays for childbirth-related medical costs and a maternity allowance. The national health insurance regulator’s figures show the fund paid out nearly RMB136 billion in 2025 on prenatal exam reimbursements, inpatient deliveries and maternity allowances.

China has also announced a plan to make standard childbirth close to free for insured families by 2026. In Shandong, one hospital reports that women on employee maternity insurance typically pay under RMB1,000 out of pocket for a standard delivery. That’s one hospital in one province, not a national figure.

• What the plan covers: standard medical services within policy limits.
• What it doesn’t cover: premium-priced hospitals, and drugs and materials that aren’t in the insurance catalog.
• What that means for expats: a delivery at an international hospital is unlikely to be fully covered. Ask your HR team and the hospital for a written estimate of what the scheme pays before you book.

Check which scheme you’re in. Maternity insurance has traditionally covered people enrolled in the employee scheme, not people on the resident plan. If you’re not on an employer’s payroll, confirm with your insurer and the hospital before you count on it.

Private cover can fill gaps. Our guide to expat family health insurance explains what to look for.

International and Private Hospitals Offering Maternity Services

Many expats in China will choose to have their baby in one of these world-class facilities in the major Chinese cities. See our guides to hospitals in Beijing and hospitals in Shanghai for a comprehensive overview of options. For those in southern China (Guangzhou and surrounding cities), making the trip to Hong Kong for the birth of a child is another possible choice that guarantees the best quality medical care.  

Beijing

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) are probably the best-known international facilities in Beijing, they have a strong reputation and high prices to match. Top of the list of “high-cost providers”, only the best insurance plans cover their services.

Expect to pay well over RMB 100,000 for a natural birth package at BJU. 

Beijing Oasis International Hospital is a private hospital in Beijing’s 798 Art District. They cater to well-insured expats and wealthy Chinese families, and the impeccable environment will ensure a comfortable maternity experience. They are about 20% cheaper than BJU, coming in at around RMB 60,000 total for a natural birth including prenatal and postnatal care. 

In the same neighborhood as Oasis, and the same price range, Amcare Women’s and Children’s Hospital specializes in maternity care. Having only OBGYN specialist doctors is definitely a plus. 

Beijing Antai Maternity Hospital is unique in being the only hospital in Beijing equipped for water births. They are also slightly more affordable than those listed above at a price point below the others listed above.

Shanghai

Shanghai United Family is a part of the massive United conglomerate of clinics and hospitals. As with the Beijing branch listed above, expect high prices so make sure you are covered before you choose them. They have hospitals in Hongqiao and Pudong, and several smaller clinics.

Some smaller specialists have clinics which share space with larger facilities for birthing needs. Redleaf Hospital is a specialist women’s and children’s hospital, located within American Sino.

Shanghai East International Medical Center (SEIMC) is an international section of the prestigious Shanghai East teaching hospital. This is an example of a local hospital having a nicer area for those who can pay a bit more. Natural birth packages here can start at around RMB 55,000. 

Raffles Medical Centre is a nice option for expectant mothers who need prenatal and postnatal care. They do not have facilities for delivery, but will help with arranging your birth hospital options. 

Always do your research and read reviews of hospitals in China.

Smaller Cities in China 

If you are in a smaller Chinese city, you will find your options limited as far as international or private hospitals and clinics. You will also find the public options a bit daunting. It is common for people who have the means to do so, to travel to larger cities to find the right maternity care for them. Here is an overview of private hospitals and clinics in other parts of China. 

As well as Beijing and Shanghai, United Family Hospital has a presence in Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Bo’Ao, and Shenzhen. Another private option for prenatal planning and OBGYN in Guangzhou is the Eur Am Medical Center. 

Raffles Medical Group can also be found in Tianjin, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Nanjing as well as Beijing and Shanghai. These are good for prenatal and postnatal care but not delivery, however, the doctors can recommend the best delivery options for you in your area.     

There is development of a large international hospital in Qingdao by the Wanda Dalian Group which will be a great asset to expectant mothers in Shandong province from Jining all the way to Yantai.

Currently for those in Chengdu or other Sichuan province cities, your best options are the West China Women’s and Children’s Hospital or the Chengdu Angel Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Prenatal Care

Prenatal services will not differ much from those you might receive in your home country. After pregnancy is confirmed, you will be given a book to record your child’s development, and regular check-ups, monthly at first but increasing in frequency as the due date approaches. An ultrasound scan at 22 weeks is standard, and can be a thrilling experience as you see your baby properly for the first time.

One difference you will notice with the ultrasound scan is that you will not be asked whether you want to know the sex of your child. It is in fact illegal in China for doctors to give this information before birth. This is because under the “One Child Policy”, mothers would sometimes abort daughters so they could have a son, with the result that China has more men than women.

Policy has now shifted to encouraging more births, so if you really want to know, you may find that doctors are willing to drop a hint, such as suggesting you buy a blue or pink blanket.

Expectant mothers, especially those who have not given birth before, often have a lot of questions and concerns. Chinese medical staff will often put a lower priority on answering these questions than western staff might: the prevailing culture is that “doctor knows best” and you should simply do as you are told.

Some international hospitals offer childbirth preparation courses, although this adds to the cost of what can already be an expensive process. Online research can help in this regard, although you should be sure to use trusted resources such as www.babycenter.com. Not all the information on the internet is accurate or helpful, and it is possible for expectant mothers to cause themselves unnecessary worry by reading about all the things that could possibly go wrong.

Supportive Community 

A supportive community can make all the difference, particularly if you can find a group of women who have been through the experience of childbirth in your city. As always, WeChat is the best place to find people. Shanghaimamas and Bumps2Babes in Beijing, are examples of long-running, lively groups. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem really basic. You will find group members eager to help, and understanding of the challenges, particularly if you are new to China.

Many women find yoga helpful to stay mobile and comfortable as their little one grows. Prenatal yoga is sometimes covered by insurance, so check the fine print. Of course, yoga classes should be specifically designed for expectant moms, and run by qualified practitioners. In bigger cities you may also be able to find specialist Pilates, aqua aerobics or other such exercises. 

Doulas

You may wish to consider hiring a doula to help you during your pregnancy and beyond. A doula is a professional trained to guide women through the experience of bringing a new life into the world, providing practical, physical, and emotional support. There is substantial evidence that this sort of personal assistance leads to better outcomes for both mother and baby.

In choosing a doula, you will need to make sure that the practitioner is properly trained and qualified. Parenting groups will help you with personal recommendations from people who have used their services in the past. As with your obstetrician though, the most important thing may be that you trust the doula and your values are aligned.

There are many doulas in China these days, many of them foreign women working in China.

Birth Plans

Most women like to have a birth plan in writing. The plan will typically detail where you want to give birth, what sort of medication or pain relief you want (or none at all), whom you want with you, and what you expect from them.

However, as anyone who has been through the experience will tell you, the best laid birth plans can fall apart very quickly as events unfold on the day, and this is particularly true in China. Be prepared to be flexible, and don’t cling to your plan if it is no longer helpful.

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After Delivery

Public hospitals will generally want to discharge you as soon as possible, so if all went well with your delivery, you can expect to be home in a couple of days.

If your child is premature or experiences difficulties, this can be frightening, but stay positive. There have been huge advances in neonatal care, and the outcomes for low birth weight babies are usually very good. It’s important to know in advance whether the hospital where you are giving birth offers intensive neonatal care, or whether you will need to transfer to another site.

Sitting the Month

In China there is a unique, but deeply embedded, set of expectations for mother and baby for the first 30 days after birth. It’s called  坐月子 (zuò yuè zi): “Sitting the month”. New mothers are expected not to leave the house, to do no work or exercise, and to eat certain foods. They need to stay warm, avoid fresh air, and have no contact with water… yes, that means no washing or showering, or even cleaning your teeth!

It’s an ancient tradition, dating back over a thousand years, and a well-meaning one. The idea is for women to have a chance to rest and recover after childbirth, to avoid illness, and to stimulate the production of breast milk. If you have Chinese relatives or in-laws, they may apply considerable pressure on you to follow these practices, in the honest belief that you risk causing harm to yourself or your baby if you don’t.

However, for many western women, “sitting the month” can feel oppressive and unhealthy. There are risks associated with it: women have died from heatstroke after wrapping themselves in blankets on hot summer days. The scientific evidence for the benefits of the practice are mixed at best.

On the other hand, returning to your routine too quickly also has risks, and the help from family and neighbours in the first few days can be much appreciated. Younger Chinese women often opt for a less intensive version of zuò yuè zi, resting and eating carefully, but staying clean and turning on the air conditioning when it’s needed.

Whatever you decide to do, be aware that you may face tutting and muttering from the old ladies at the park if you take your child out for some fresh air in the first month!

Breastfeeding

Although one of the purposes of “sitting the month” is to help with milk production, China still has a relatively low percentage of exclusively breastfed babies. This has nothing to do with ancient culture but is largely attributed to aggressive marketing of infant formula by big businesses.

Breastfeeding is one area where the evidence for the benefits of a natural approach is overwhelming and undisputed. If you choose to breastfeed, you will find people generally supportive, and facilities are improving all the time. A doula can support this too, and there are branches of the La Leche League in most major cities.

Documentation

If you’ve just given birth, paperwork is probably the last thing on your mind. But a baby born to foreign parents must be registered within 60 days, or you face a warning and a possible fine (and further entanglement with Chinese bureaucracy.)

The hospital will issue you with a birth certificate. Make sure that names on the certificate are written in your home language as well as in Chinese: not only the baby’s, but yours and your partner’s too. This will save enormous amounts of difficulty when it comes to applying for passports.

If your partner is a Chinese national, then your baby will be too. However, China does not recognize dual nationality, so if you apply for a passport for your child from your home country, you are required to formally renounce their Chinese citizenship.

Whatever your child’s nationality, you need to register them with the Public Security Bureau. For this you’ll need their birth certificate and both parents’ passports. Foreign nationals also need to prove that they have applied for a passport for their child. With the correct paperwork, you can easily get a visa and residence permit for the little one.

Maternity Leave

Women in China are guaranteed at least 98 days’ maternity leave by law. This applies to foreigners too, so if your employer tells you you’re not entitled, it’s worth seeking advice. Paternity leave is set locally. In Beijing, fathers get 15 days. Elsewhere, fathers and partners may need to negotiate time off with their employers. 

Birth Paperwork for a Foreign Baby: Steps and the 60-Day Deadline

A baby born in China to foreign parents has to be registered for stay or residence within 60 days of birth. Beijing publishes a step-by-step guide, so the steps below follow it. Other cities’ exit-entry offices may run things a little differently. (Verified October 2026.)

1. Get the Medical Certificate of Birth. Apply at the hospital where you delivered, with both parents’ passports. In Beijing it’s free and issued immediately.
2. Get the vaccination certificate. Beijing hospitals give each foreign newborn the BCG vaccine and the first hepatitis B dose within 24 hours of birth, then issue the certificate free of charge. Our guide to kids’ vaccinations in China covers the doses that follow.
3. Register the baby’s stay. Take both parents’ passports and the Medical Certificate of Birth to the exit-entry office. In Beijing you can also email scans for online registration, and the office replies within seven working days.
4. Apply for the baby’s visa or residence permit. This needs the baby’s valid foreign passport, so start the passport process with your embassy early.

Document	Deadline or cost	Who issues it
Medical Certificate of Birth	Free and immediate in Beijing	The hospital where the baby was born
Vaccination certificate	Within one month of birth	The hospital of birth or your local immunization clinic
Stay or residence registration	Within 60 days of birth	The local exit-entry office of the public security bureau

Missing the registration isn’t free. Beijing’s guide says failing to register the birth of a foreign national brings a warning and possibly a fine of up to RMB2,000.

If one parent is a Chinese national, the baby has Chinese nationality by law. China doesn’t recognize dual nationality for Chinese nationals, so that baby follows a different route from the one above.

Maternity and Paternity Leave in China by City

The national rule is 98 days of maternity leave, including 15 days before the due date. Cities can add more, and two of the biggest do. (Verified October 2026.)

Where	Maternity leave	Paternity leave
National rule	98 days, including 15 days before delivery	Varies by city
Shanghai	158 days (98 days plus 60 extra days)	Check the city rule
Beijing	158 days (98 days plus 60 extra days)	15 days

The 98 days grow by 15 for a difficult labor, and by 15 for each extra baby in a multiple birth. After a miscarriage you get 15 days if it happens before the fourth month and 42 days after that.

Beijing’s rules also give each parent five business days of parental leave a year until the child turns three. Prenatal checkups count as paid working time, and from the seventh month your employer can’t add overtime or night shifts, Shanghai’s government guide says.

Ask HR which city’s rule applies to you, because it follows where you’re employed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to register my baby in China?

A baby born to foreign parents has to be registered for stay or residence within 60 days of birth. Bring both parents’ passports and the Medical Certificate of Birth to the local exit-entry office.

Does my baby get Chinese citizenship if I give birth in China?

The law gives Chinese nationality to a baby born in China when one or both parents are Chinese nationals. If both parents are foreign, the baby is registered as a foreign infant and needs a passport from your own country.

Does maternity insurance cover foreign employees?

Yes, if you’re legally employed by a registered employer. The employer has to enroll you in social insurance, which includes maternity insurance.

When does my baby get its first vaccines?

In Beijing, foreign newborns get the BCG vaccine and the first hepatitis B dose within 24 hours of birth at the delivery hospital. The vaccination certificate follows.

Can fathers take leave when the baby is born?

It depends on the city. Beijing gives fathers 15 days of paternity leave under rules that took effect on 26 November 2021. Ask HR about your own city.

Now, on to You

All this can seem intimidating, and you may have other reasons to fly home for the birth: to be near family for support, or for reasons of nationality. However many women from the international community give birth in China, and for the vast majority it’s a positive experience, part of the rich tapestry of expat life. Whatever you decide to do, here’s wishing you much joy of your happy event!

Please note: The information provided by ExpatDen is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for medical or healthcare advice. It is strongly recommended that you seek guidance and consultation from a licensed medical practitioner or qualified healthcare professional pertaining to your specific circumstances and healthcare needs.