Jan 4th, 2007
About
The idea for this site occured to me a few months back when I found out I was pregnant. Pregnancy here in Shanghai and in China in general seems to be viewed as a time when women not only have to totally lose their sense of style but also a time when taking care of oneselves involves drinking lots of milk, overeating and not doing any exercise; of course this view does not spread to the expat community which I belong to.
For me pregnancy has become a time to celebrate my feminity and feel truely alive and I would love to share some of my views with other women and parents out there.
I have been slowly finding out about the support network available for women during pregnancy and early parenthood and thought it might be a good idea to collect and share the information on this website. I’m also hoping that this space will develop into a discussuion forum for any issues mothers and fathers wish to discuss with the local community.
Please get in touch with me if you find that any of the information is incorrect or if you have any activity you’d like me to add to the lists. Enjoy!
Hi Bettina,
I just wanted to say thanks so much for setting up this invaluable site. As a mum to be who works full time, I haven’t had the time I would have liked to research all of the shops and services available in Shanghai and have felt very much in the dark until stumbling upon your site. It is full of useful information that will make the rest of my pregnancy and impending motherhood seem less daunting. Many thanks for taking the time to share it all.
All the best,
Alice (from your pre-natal yoga class)
Hello Bettina,
I came across your blog totally by chance. This is a wonderful idea to compile all useful infos for pregnant women in Shanghai! I will spead the good news. Tx for the ‘foot massage’ address !!!
Anne-Sophie (from Breeze Yoga prenatal class)
Dear Bettina,
I wanted to send a quick note, as I believe many of your members would be interested in our newest project at Shanghai Organics.
We are launching a Puxi based Organic Produce Market! (see http://www.shorganic.com/e_farmersmarkets.html for details)
As a longtime grower and provider of organic produce in Shanghai, found mainly in supermarkets around town, this is a great opportunity to improve our commitment to conversation and trust building with our consumers.
Organic life is alive and well, and gaining popularity and importance here in Shanghai. In the face of regular food contamination scandals here and abroad, as well as “high profile” closing like the O-store several months ago, Shanghai Organics is especially determined to show that organic is alive and well!
Sincerely,
Brian
Dear Bettina
I am moving to Shanghai in the next few months and am pregnant with our first baby.
It looks as though we will might live on the Pudong side of the river and although I have heard and read a lot of good things about UFH I was wondering whether anyone has any feedback on the Shangahi East International Medical Centre (SEIMC)which is on South Pudong Road.
Any feedback would be great.
Your site seems like a great reference point and I felt relieved when I discovered it.
Sarah
Glad to find your site; eager to read more. It’s looking possible, if not probable, that we’ll be transferred to Shanghai for 3 years or so, and one of the questions running through my mind is what will happen if we decide to have another child. Our two boys were homebirthed with midwives; I don’t know how to begin looking for a similar situation there…
Thanks for writing!
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for checking out the site. Regarding your concern.. I’m afraid that homebirth doesn’t seem to be an option here.. unless of course you go for the unassisted do-it-yourself type.. I really wanted a homebirth too … and if I decide to have another I don’t think I will give birth in China. There is a very good foreign midwife working at one of the international hospitals but that’s about it…
Hi Bettina,
I’m a swiss-french mother of 7 month old little Margaux…. Congratulation for your webside!
I gave birth at Huashan…. If you want,I can post a comment about how the delivery went there.
And I am an interior designer and make baby-custom furniture here: beds, high chairs, playpen, etc, and also cute carpets for children, following western security protocol (including non toxic paint for the furniture and 100% New Zealand wool for the carpets). Tell me if you want more info about it!
Sincerely,
Fabienne
Hi all,
I stumbled across your website as I was looking to find out information about prenatal classes for foreingers in Shanghai.
My wife is due in the coming months and I want to make sure that I am up-to-speed on all the requirements for being a dad!
My wife has already been attending the Chinese classes at the RuiJin Hospital, however as I would prefer an English class, I was wondering if anyone would know of a clinic or service provider who I can go to?
Many thanks in advance to anyone who should be able to help out.
Norman
hello…
does anyone give birth in world link hospital? i am pregnant its my first pregnancy and i would like have some coments about the hospital …. thank u very much for your kindy antention…..
Hi Bettina
Congratulations to your website! A great idea!!!
Would like to contact you directly to discuss if we could publish our product http://www.mbiky.eu the wooden walking bike on your website. It would help Shanghai’s parents to find this product which we have launched during the Expat Show.
Can you sent me your email address?
Looking forward!
Martina
hello …
me and my daughter amelie (18 month) are searching for a playgroup in pudong. who can give me an adress or some more informations? Many thanks in advance …
Sabrina
Hello Sabrina, check out the IMSG meetings here http://www.shanghai-mama.com/pregnancy/international-mothers-support-group/ also have a look at this http://www.shanghai-mama.com/baby/moms-in-pudong/. I live in Puxi so haven’t been but think there is a big communities of mums out there!
Have fun!
Hi there,
I know this topic is not really related to Babies or pregnancies, but I was looking for an airpurifier and also somebody to take care or my black mould in my old house. I heard from somebody that the organizers of this group could know something, specially about the mould problem. I am specially worried about the mould. Would appreciate any information.
thanks
I am looking for sites to post a job application for a part time networking, socially active mum and came across this.
Your members might be interested in our product. We home deliver Premium Australian Meat and wine to peoples homes. We guarrantee consistant quality and import and deliver the product fresh. Our website lists all the products, delivery is free to most areas of Shanghai and the minimum order is only 250rmb.
When I arrived in Shanghai finding good Aussie meat was a priority and I stumbled upon Elders in the process of setting up home delivery of just that, now I work for them.
We are also now looking for other mums wanting something to do, to earn a bit of money, work from home and in their own time. Must be from a non english speaking country. We want to spread the word in expat communities outside that of the Aussie one.
If anyone reads this and is interested please contact me
anna.willett@elders.com.cn
Dear All,
Glad to know this site from one of our scrapbookers. I would like to share our scrapbooking supply with all pre-moms and moms here. We just set up our online store http://www.scrapbookstudio1.com with 100% imported scrapbooking materials from US. Get ready for making our own memories for (coming) babies and families/christmas/life in Shanghai!
Luv,
Laura
Hi parents,
I was wondering if there is any place to communicate with or find other single parents in Shanghai? I have a 20 month old daughter(born in Shanghai) and am curious to know how other single parents manage here. Also, where to find affordable baby items, part time jobs with good pay, and activites for toddlers, etc..
Thank you so much.
Stel
Hi everyone,
I need some advise. I am currantly live in L.A. Me and my husband are planning to have a child. After he/she is born and about 2 months old we are planning to move to Shanghai. Here is the question! I know in U.S.,newborn babies get immunization vaccines, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months. If I bring my baby to China, say 1 or 2 months after birth, how can I make sure that he/she gets the corresponding vaccines over there to protect he/she from any major deceases? Is there any place I could get this kind vaccines in Shanghai?
This will be my first pregnancy,very nervous about it. Please help?!
Hi everyone,
Does any mummy know of mummy who wish to keep themself occupied by doing some “teaching”(playing with young toddlers in a pre-school) while their kids r in school. Pls help to pass word around..it could b part time or full time….Thks!!
Hi Bettina
Do I need to register as member or something before i can start posing questions? My husband is going to Beijing to work, so we’re relocating with our baby end of May. Need some advice, thanks!
Hi Eileen,
You are more likely to get a faster response if you go to the Shanghai Mamas online forum. My blog has a very similar name and the link here http://www.shanghai-mama.com/baby/baby-group-shanghai-mamas/
Hi Everybody, I am an Australian looking to move to Shanghai for my husbands work, when we arrive I will be 7 months pregnant with our first baby, and would love it if I could get some feed back ( good, bad or ugly) on the Dr that have been recomended to me – it really is all very daunting!
Dr Yun ( cathy) Ling
Dr Xiaqiong (Ninni) Ji
Dr Zhu Ruoyun
I belive all of the above work at United family Hospital
Also Reccomended was Dr George Kuo at American Sino Hospital
Any help or further recomendations would be greatly appreciated
Regards Georgina
Hi, I just wanted to give you an update on my boutique, Lollipop.
We have moved to the 6th floor of the City Shop building on Hongmei Road and we can accept all credit cards (finally!) including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Union Pay (RMB debit cards).
Please see our updated website.
Thanks,
Grace
Hi Bettina,
We’d like to contact you on regarding our introduction of our new services.
As well, as an event we are putting co-organzing with Life Line Shanghai…Shanghai Health Fair.
Kind regards
Jason
Hi Bettina,
I just want to tell you that the baby area at the Cloud Nine Shoppingmall next to Zhongshan Park is closed since Monday. Very bad, I hope it’s just for renovation.
And one question: How can I read the Forum?
Very nice site that helps me a lot.
thanks
hilke
Dear Bettina, You have raised a very important blog! Thank you!
Dear Mothers to be and all the other mothers who are worried whether you can find Shanghai as homie and safe as your hometowm, especially when it comes to good docter services, clinical services, safe and up to date immunization vaccines(Joyce above)etc. Here through Bettina’s blog, i take the chance to inform you all that you could totally rely on Parkwayhealth clinical services (by the way WOrldLink is part of Parkwayhealth now). You could type and read on http://www.parkwayhealth.cn or you could call at 6445-5999 for informations and appointments. I am very happy with their services. Below i have also attached a link with their GYN docters. Parkwayhealth also provides lessons for new mothers to be and lots of other yoga and pilates services
http://www.birdsandfish.cn/parkway/edm-mira/edm-mira.html
I have to have put a smile on your face with this info.
regards
donie
Hi Everyone;
Can anyone please recommend an agency or aye that is a good nanny & housekeeper?
I’m not having much luck finding anyone suitable. I need a reliable, experienced and English speaking full-time nanny that can look after my infant son when I return to work. I will spend several months with her/train her while I’m at home over the coming months.
Thanks
Magda
Hi Bettina,
Was wondering if you know where you can find safety covers for sockets. I have a 9 month old who is into everything.
Thanks
Sara
Hi Sara,
Sorry for the late reply. You can safety covers for sockets in Ikea (3 pin only). Hope you found them in the meantime…
Hi Bettina,
I wonder if you, or anyone else reading this website, know of any good bakeries producing gorgeous cartoon characters or theme cakes. My son’s birthday is coming up and he would love to have a special cake! I know there are listings in magazines… but has anyone tried and like what they ordered?
Thanks,
Cecilia
Hi, Bettina, hope that you can help me. we just moved to shanghai and we used to run a blog under wordpress.com, which i understand that it’s blocked in china. which hosting did you use and do you find that is easy? Appreciate for your advice. thanks tons,
HI Stacey! I am currently using dreamhost but don’t have the details am afraid as a friend kindly sorted everything out for me. Fingers crossed I haven’t had any troubles yet.. hope you get your blog sorted and let me know if you want me to find out more info from my friend. Welcome to Shanghai!!!
Hi Cecilia,
I heard there is a German lady on Shanghai Mamas (the forum) who makes really nice cakes in different shapes I can get the details for you if you like.. drop me an email about it and I’ll find out for you. Sorry for the mega late reply by the way..
I love this site. Thanks for starting this! Hey, I was wondering if you’d be willing to advertise my baby carrier website. After having my second baby and trying to navigate this city holding a baby with a toddler in tow, I have become passionate about babywearing! So, I started having Mei Tai (the asian style) baby carriers made and love them! Now I am making them and selling them for a little profit to help out with the income since Im a stay at home mom. If its appropriate to advertise on this site… could you put in a plug for my new at-home business? Thanks! http://www.babycarriersshanghai.blogspot.com
Gina
Hi Magda,
My current nanny from the Philippines will finish work with me in December (my mom’s coming to look after my child). She’s been doing housework and taking good care of my son from Monday to Saturday. She’s quite good. Let me know if you’re interested.
Hi, friend have told me that in a past posting there is a website to check on the ID of ayi. Is this true? If so, can you repost the website? I couldn’t find it in your past issues. Thanks!
Dear Bettina,
I would like to join your website if possible, and also, I am wondering if you know of any printers in Shanghai who will make custom Christmas cards? I have a family photo that I would like printed onto a custom card and in Hong Kong it was not a problem to find small businesses that did this.
Thanks sincerely!
Stacey
Hello,
I have a 3 year old daughter and a 4month old baby son. I was wondering if anyone with kids in the same age brackets would like to join up for a playgroup.
Also, is there a tackboard where we could buy stuff we wanted or sell stuff we didn’t want?
Thanks
Hi. I am a working mom pregnant with my second child. First child was born in Phuket where I had the best services at the international hospital at an incredibly LOW cost!
I intend to deliver in Shanghai and looking for a hospital. However, I am not on a fabulous insurance scheme under my company, I can’t afford the likes of Parkway or United Family. Can anyone give any good suggestions on hospitals that caters to non-Chinese yet not outrageously expensive?
Also, anyone know of maternity leave for non-Chinese on local pay package? I am not on a real expat package yet I am not a Chinese national, so I am not sure what my entitlements are. And I don’t want to ask my HR yet. Prefer to be armed with good information before speaking with them.
Thanks!!!
Hi June,
You can try International Peace Maternity as the price there is more affordable, I didn’t have a good experience there but plenty of people did so def worth checking out. Think the cost for unplanned c-section, plus 3 days stay was around 20.000 rmb. Also check on the shanghai mamas forum (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShanghaiMamas/)to ask other mothers for their experiences, good luck!
Bettina
Hi Hemanthi,
Sorry you didn’t get a reply. Think you will have better luck posting on the shanghai mamas forum http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShanghaiMamas/ it’s not related to my blog and is an excellent way to get quick replies.
Bettina
Hi Stacey,
You are probably trying to join shanghai mamas http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShanghaiMamas/ a lot of people get my blog confused with it of course the name is too similar… go on the url i pasted and click on join and they will send you a questionnaire.
Cheers for checking my site!
Hemanthi,
We just moved to Shanghai from Canada with our 6 months old baby boy. I also like to join a playgroup for my son. We live in Gubei area in Puxi.
Where about do you live?
Thanks!
Hi, it is a great website, full of knowledge here, and appreciate for all your effort.our link is http://www.bodynsoulyoga.com, here prenatal yoga classes are great.
Hi,
We have some infant furniture for sale and anyone has interest please email to me, I can give you the photos and detail information.
Thanks!
I live in Hong Qiao and have a 21 month old. I’m looking for afternoon playgroups/activities in the afternoons between 2:30-5:30-ish. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Rk
Hi Bettina,
Good day! I just want to ask if we can post our ad here. Our company name is Motherwear were located at Hongmei Rd.,Shanghai. If you want the company details please feel free to contact Tabetha Rosenberg she’s the owner and here’s her number 13816692121. Hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks.
Hello Bettina,
I am not sure wheter you received my email yesterday regarding our shop for women, men & children wear, which we are about to pen in the former french concession. Please come back to me!
Thank you for your support!
Regards,
Julia
Hi Bettina,
I am a young mother in Shanghai with a baby boy of 7 months.
Medical research have reported that swimming & massage is good for infants
and make the babies, healthier, stronger & more intelligent.
As young parents, my husband & myself fully appreciate the benefits of
swimming & massage for baby from 0 to 12 months.
Together with my husband,we open a baby swimming club(Clubbaby at Huashan Road) in Shanghai catering to
meet the expectation in terms of hygiene, professionalim, environment,
ambience, meticulosity, communication, English speaking staffs, customer
service & etc as we did not find one of such standard in Shanghai.
I would like to seek your assistance to introduce Clubbaby to all caring mothers in Shanaghai using Shanghai Mama as a platform.
Kindly advise if I can post an ad here and how I can join Shanghau Mama as a member
Kindly contact me at 13701893776
Thanks.
Suzy
Hey,
what a wonderful site!I wonder if someone here know anything about occupational therapy in Shanghai I would be more than happy to hear. I have just finnished my BA in Israel, and moved here. My internship was with kids and psyciatric department.
Thanks!
Esti. estikidishman@gmail.com
Hi Esti, welcome to Shanghai! I’m not aware of anyone doing this here in Shanghai maybe you can contact the Shanghai community Centre and ask them for some info on working opportunities, and welcome to use this as a platform to spread the word about what you are doing!