NEW: Free English Prenatal Class at BJU
Q
Tell us a little about yourself, what's your background?
I am Cindy Yan, a Registered Nurse and Midwife, and the OB/GYN Head Nurse at Beijing United Family Hospital Dongcheng Campus. I speak English and Mandarin.
I started my nursing education at Chengdu Railway Health School then completed my bachelor's degree in nursing at the Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University and Changzhi Medical College.
I have over 30 years of nursing experience, including having worked in Xi'an for over 12 years and three years at Al-Rass General Hospital in Saudi Arabia.
I joined BJU in 2007 as a midwife and have been an educator of midwives and nurses for six years. I have one child myself and he's also studying medicine, currently getting his master's at Xiangya Medical University in Changsha.
Cindy
I'm Yu Yana, my English name is Grace, and I'm a Registered Nurse and Midwife, as well as Head Nurse of OB/GYN inpatient care. I speak English and Mandarin.
I received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Peking University, and a master's in hospital management from Nankai University and Flinders University. I've worked as a nurse since 1996, including in the OB/GYN Department at Shenyang First People's Hospital and Al Yamamah Hospital in Saudi Arabia. I joined BJU in 2004 as a midwife. Like Cindy, I also have one son who is now 12.
Grace
Grace Yu
Q
How did you become a midwife?
I previously worked in internal medicine and surgery, but one day someone resigned and so I was nominated to work in the OB/GYN unit. I never expected to be a midwife because I was only a backup.
But after 30 years I now have the confidence to deal with many difficult cases. It always makes me happy to welcome new life every day; seeing the mother's smile and the loud cries of a healthy baby. It's especially nice when parents will send me a photo of their baby a few years later. I really love my job!
Cindy
When I was choosing a career, my mother mentioned nursing and that was really interesting to me so I went to nursing school. While there I felt drawn to women's care. It is gratifying to accompany and support women as they become mothers. It fills me with strength and achievenment to have the opportunity to help them.
Grace
Q
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part is to stay with the client and help them. Whether it's giving them a hand to hold, wiping sweat from their forehead, or giving them a high five and telling them "You can do it!"
If a labor starts getting tough I would review the medical file over and over to think about what happened and how I could help. I'm also always happy when a labor is switched from a cesarean to a natural birth due to their comfort with my professional methods.
Cindy
The most gratifying thing is to hear the loud cry of a newborn baby. The mother will hug the newborn for the first time, the father comforting mother and child at their side, and the loving atmosphere that surronds the room. This is an enviable scene unique to obstetrics.
The delivery room is also a place full of challenges and I'm ready to meet them. Mothers-to-be can go into labor at any time and there will sometimes be difficult situations during labor. Problem solving makes my job more meaningful, which is one of the reasons I like the delivery room.
Grace
Q
Have you taught classes like this before?
I joined BJU in 2007 after returning from overseas and the international standard attracted me. I've been teaching the Chinese prenatal class since 2012 and really enjoy it, though I chose nursing my dream was always to be a teacher. The English class will be an exciting new experience.
Cindy
Yes, I started teaching prenatal courses around 15 years ago, even before my baby was born. Our prenatal courses include pregnancy, childbirth, and neonatal care. I participated in the first practical course and am involved in designing prenatal courses and training the teachers. We hope that mothers and fathers-to-be will have the opportunity to understand our work and delivery environment and better cope with the birth of the baby.
Grace
Cindy Yan
Q
Why do you think it’s important for expecting parents to attend this class?
We suggest all parents-to-be attend the prenatal care class. The class is 8 hours over 2 half-days, it provides evidence based information on maternity physiological changes and interventions during the pregnancy, labor progress related issues and cooperation, the husband's role at the bedside, labor pain relief methods and epidural procedures, newborn care and breastfeeding, and last but not least, they have a chance to visit the delivery room to get familiar with the environment in advance.
Cindy
Prenatal courses provide a place for parents-to-be to meet each other and discuss issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care. The most effective thing in childbirth and early parenting is for mothers to help other mothers. We can draw strength from others and help mothers be more confident in raising their babies.
In addition, prenatal courses can also help parents-to-be familiarize themselves with the place where they will give birth in the future. You will have the opportunity to visit the delivery room, familiarize yourself with the delivery facilities, and prepare for admission.
Grace
Cindy Yan
Q
What do you most want them to get out of the classes?
We hope to help mothers make informed decisions about their labor and provide a tool kit of coping mechanisms. It will help in preparing a birth plan and prepare for the early days following the birth.
Cindy
I hope that after attending the class they can relax and not worry. The process of child birth is very emotional, scary, happy, exciting and many other feelings. I hope that after attending the class they will be better prepared for the big day and what comes after.
It's also good that they can learn about self-care during pregnancy and how to contact the delivery room when they are in labor.
Grace
Q
One last thing, how do you relax outside of work?
I like cooking. To be honest, I wasn't very good in the past, but like many, I learned a lot from videos during COVID. It's become one of my hobbies and it's good because it's both healthy and realxing.
I also enjoy reading to relieve pressure, some of my favorite recent reads include "Educated," "Voices from Chernobyl," and "When Breath Becomes Air."
Cindy
After a busy week, I like to spend time with my family. My son is now 12 and will soon begin his independent life and spending more time with friends, so I cherish the time I have with him. On weekends, my husband I will accompany him to glee club or watch him play sports.
Grace
Grace and her son