A Positive Birth Experience for Expats Away From Home

One of the most important milestone moments in our lives is welcoming a newborn into the world. It’s a joyous occasion, but a lot of nerves are involved, so it’s important to have people who understand your needs. Fluent communication and cultural awareness are essential for peace of mind. For expats in Beijing, this is especially important during the birth experience, as family can often be far away. We at BJU are aware of these needs and want to introduce you to two of our Obstetrics doctors who will do their best to help make you feel at home throughout the process: Dr. Chunmei Liu and Dr. Faye Chen.

Drs. Chen and Liu each have over 20 years experience as OB/GYN doctors, with each having worked at Beijing United Family Hospital for around 10 years. Dr. Chen graduated from Wuhan University and went on to work in public and international hospitals. Dr. Liu trained locally in Beijing at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital and then went on to serve as a research fellow at the Fetal Medicine Center of King’s College Hopsital (London).

Dr. Liu Chunmei

Obstetrics is intimately connected to internal medicine, clinical surgery, and pediatrics. As such a complex practice area, for a lot of the expat patients that come in are newer to China, they are a little scared and aren’t sure where to go for resources. Dr. Chen stated the majority of her patients have been expats. “We have fluent direct communication if my patient or her partner speak English; and, if needed, I can get help from our in-house interpreters for other languages such as Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Russian and so on. I always try my best to ensure all my patients understand their medical issues completely,” she said.

Cultural differences are a common issue in daily life away from one’s own country, and it’s especially true when visiting the hospital, however Dr. Liu mentioned that when treating expats “they are often more active in the prenatal and delivery process making communication more open.” Dr. Chen added that as China is such a large country “cultural differences can even exist across regions” so it’s always important to create understanding and be respectful, no matter where the patient comes from.

Before giving birth, BJU offers a free prenatal class which is helpful for expecting families, especially if it’s their first child. As part of that, giving birth in China provides an opportunity to learn from the local culture and offers potential for a more scientific “yue zi” (traditional Chinese practices for a new mother) including postpartum care and midwife home visits.

Dr. Faye Chen

When United Family opened in 1997, it started as a birthing center for expats of all nationalities and locals. From these roots it has slowly grown into a full-service hospital for patients of all ages, but the commitment to helping new families has remained constant. The hospital’s culture is unique in China and in line with the highest international standards, Dr. Liu adds, “Our greatest aspiration throughout the years continues to be to provide excellent care, for the whole family, in a warm and friendly environment.”

Welcome Your Baby at BJU

Beijing United Family Hospital

A full-service, international

Healthcare facility

In the heart of China

35,000 babies from around the world and counting

For more than two decades, Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) has delivered more than 35,000 babies belonging to parents from over 80 countries. When it comes to childbirth and so much more, you can trust our private, international hospital for its care.

Embrace international methodology

By following and embodying international medical trends, we promote a warm, patient and family-oriented experience with the aim to surpass expectations. BJU encourages natural vaginal deliveries and supports breastfeeding and non-transitional treatment.

The capability and expertise to confidently handle high-risk pregnancies and complications

From the complications older pregnant women face to critical emergencies, BJU has the experience to treat and manage these cases in-house. Our obstetricians have years of clinical experience and success with serious childbirth complications. With integrated care from our Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics departments, BJU has a long history of safely delivering and treating preterm and critically ill newborns. Beijing United Family Hospital has successfully treated and cared for a 24-week old premature baby weighing only 600 grams, the youngest ever delivered at BJU. We also use the standard Code Purple to ensure efficient and effective response in prenatal and maternal emergencies such as abruption or postpartum hemorrhage and to reduce maternal and fetal mortality.

Our success with Vaginal Births after Cesarean (VBAC) 

Whenever possible, BJU promotes natural birth among expecting mothers, even after a previous Cesarean.

Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for the needs of new mothers and their children

Equipped with a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and as a full-service facility, BJU offers 24-hour services in emergency medicine, surgery, neurosurgery, pediatrics, anesthesiology, dental, internal medicine, ophthalmology, ENT, and more.

Chunmei LIU

Obstetrician, Gynecologist

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Dr. Liu Chunmei completed her medical degree at Liaoning Medical College and completed her medical master’s degree and PhD degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking Union Medical College (PUMC). She did post-doctoral research at the Reproductive and Genetics Center of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing. 

Dr. Liu’s career as a physician is grounded in her strong scientific and research background. After graduating, she worked in the OBGYN department and Reproductive Medicine Center of Dalian Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital initially as a resident physician and later as Deputy Director of Physicians. She has over 15 years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was also a research fellow for two years at the Harris & Birthright Research Center at King’s College Hospital, where she received certification to perform obstetrical ultrasounds in 2012.

Dr. Liu specializes in screening for prenatal chromosomal abnormalities and fetal malformations; monitoring and managing high-risk pregnancies and fetal developmental disorders; prenatal and postnatal care consultation; and in the field of reproductive endocrine disorders, infertility, menopause and related issues. She has published numerous articles in SCI medical journals.

Faye CHEN

Obstetrician, Gynecologist

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Dr. Faye Chen received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wuhan University in 2001. She spent 2 years in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department of the People’s Hospital of Yingde City in Guangdong before joining Fuxing Hospital, a Capital Medical University affiliate. At Beijing Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing, Dr. Chen served as an OB/GYN physician and engaged in advanced studies in obstetrics and midwifery technology. 

Dr. Chen has 13 years of clinical experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of commonly occurring obstetric and gynecological diseases and can carry out surgical procedures including minor outpatient gynecological surgeries, as well as major operations like lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS) and dystocia treatment.