Beyond Good Medical Care

By Louise Hubbard Roy

Birth Doula (CD-CBI), Lactation Specialist (CLEC-UCSD) and Childbirth Educator

Director of International Patient Services at Am-Sino Healthcare

When people hear the phrase "I had a great birth", many picture a smiling family and a healthy baby. While those outcomes matter, a good birth is about much more than simply avoiding harm or ticking the “healthy mother, healthy baby” box. Equally important is whether families leave the experience feeling respected, empowered, and whole.

The truth is that there is no single definition of a good birth, because there is no one right way to give birth. Every situation, person, family, and pregnancy is unique. What is safe and right for one may feel very different for another. For some, a good birth may be an unmedicated waterbirth. For others, it may mean an epidural, or even a planned cesarean. The point is not which path is chosen, but that it is a choice- that people are offered real options, clear information, and supportive care that honours their decisions.

Central to this is empowerment. When families feel listened to and involved in decisions, birth becomes not just a medical event but a deeply personal one. Complications may still arise, but interventions should be used wisely - avoiding unnecessary procedures and ensuring those that are needed are explained, consented to, and carried out with dignity.

A hospital or birth center’s statistics should reflect this philosophy. A commitment to physiological birth can be seen in low rates of unnecessary interventions, limited cesareans, and few episiotomies, while strong safety outcomes reassure families that intervention is available when appropriate. 

Families also play an active role. Hiring a doula, for instance, reduces cesarean rates, shortens labour, and decreases the need for pain medication.¹ Childbirth education builds confidence, reduces fear, and increases the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth with fewer interventions.² Yet knowledge and self-advocacy can only go so far if the setting is not supportive, making the choice of facility critical. Families thrive where their voices are respected, and their values honoured.

At Am-Sino International Birth Center, this is our vision. We offer childbirth education and continuous doula support so families can prepare fully and feel confident their care team shares the same commitment to empowerment. Our integrated team of obstetricians, midwives, doulas, and nurses all work with one philosophy: fewer unnecessary interventions, safer outcomes, and care that supports choice.

The truth is that this level of support should not be unique to maternity care, but rather it should be an integrated part of all medical care. At Am-Sino, this philosophy is central across every department: healthcare that empowers, informs, and respects patients at every stage of life.

Our newly opened Am-Sino Family Practice brings this same vision to Shanghai’s expatriate community. Much like your family doctor back home, the Family Practice is designed to be a trusted and personalized hub for your family’s needs. Our doctors understand the unique challenges of living abroad, from navigating differences in medical options and available pharmaceuticals to coordinating care across specialties. 

We offer comprehensive services for the whole family, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, children’s growth monitoring, women’s and men’s health screenings, chronic condition management, and same-day care for common illnesses or minor injuries. We also support mental health and lifestyle needs, physical therapy and rehabilitation, weight-management, and guidance on nutrition and healthy living. For expat families, our International Service Line team bridges language and cultural gaps and coordinates seamlessly with Am-Sino’s specialists, ensuring smooth logistics and insurance payments.

Great care doesn’t start or end with birth. From our International Birth Center to our Family Practice, At Am-Sino we provide every client with personalized, respectful, and coordinated care. By supporting families at every stage of life, we ensure healthcare is not just safe, but also an empowering experience for the whole family.

References

1.Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017.

2.Brixval CS, Axelsen SF, Andersen SK, Due P, Koushede V. The effect of antenatal education in small classes on obstetric and psycho-social outcomes—a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016.

3.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Approaches to limit intervention during labor and birth. Committee Opinion No. 687. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;129:e20–8.

4.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Informed Consent and Shared Decision Making in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Committee Opinion No. 819. Obstetrics & Gynecology. February 2021.

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