High-quality maternity services in demand

Improvements made

Huang said that as a doctor, she used to view child delivery only from the medical perspective.

"For example, if a woman gave birth successfully after a prolonged delivery process, we'd say it was down to her own efforts, as we didn't use obstetric forceps or transfer her for a cesarean section. However, we neglected the woman's feelings, and this could be emotionally painful for her."

Improvements are being made. Labor analgesia — the reduction or management of pain during labor, which involves the use of anesthetic agents and/or an epidural — has been used for more than 90 percent of women giving birth naturally at the hospital, Huang said. The remainder either refuse the procedure or their health prevents them from undergoing it.

At Golden Key, midwives and nurses accompany patients throughout child delivery. They teach them to "push" in the right way and also offer constant encouragement, which many women said helps ease the pain and creates a more comfortable experience.

Huang said doctors are now paying more attention to checkups and delivery, for example, by offering words of encouragement to expectant mothers.

"Also, better pain management procedures will persuade more women who have doubts about childbirth to opt for natural deliveries," she said.

Liu said Golden Key allows fathers to cut the umbilical cord. Nurses also help the mother wear makeup in the delivery bed, and to take a family photo immediately after the birth.