Your Prenatal Transition Checklist for Moving to Shanghai

2026-07

Timing is everything when you're relocating during pregnancy - and if you're reading this in early August, chances are you're not alone.

August tends to be a busy month for relocations to Shanghai and many international families find themselves unpacking boxes and settling in around this time. If you're also pregnant this big move can feel even more overwhelming as two major life transitions coincide.

However, we are here to help and with the right planning your prenatal care can be smoother than you might expect. These are our top tips to a smooth relocation during pregnancy

Organize and Translate Your Medical Records

Before You Leave

Collect records for the prenatal care you have completed so far so that when you arrive in Shanghai, your new obstetrician can smoothly take over care with a complete picture from day one. This should include:

Ultrasound reports (the pictures are lovely, but they don’t include the needed information that’s contained in the written report)

Laboratory test results or screenings (including blood and urine)

Your vaccination record (including childhood immunizations and adult booster vaccines)

Records of past pregnancies or births, especially if there were complications or surgeries

Records of past gynecological surgeries

Additionally, it is helpful to have on hand any other medical records you might have, including diagnoses of chronic conditions, medication lists, health screenings and recent blood tests or other diagnostic reports.

It is a good idea to have these records for all your family members- if any of these are not in English or Chinese, you will need to get them translated.

When you arrive in Shanghai, these will give your new provider a complete picture from day one (note: due to country or hospital regulations, some tests may still need to be repeated).

Book Your First Prenatal Appointment

This is a step that many people unintentionally delay during the chaos of settling in and so scheduling this before you arrive will ensure it is not lost in the process.

Prenatal care runs on strict timelines, and tests like the genetic screening, anatomy scan, and glucose screening are ideally conducted within specific windows. A gap in care, even a short one, can mean missing a critical screening or scrambling to catch up.

When choosing a provider in Shanghai, look for a team that communicates well in English and has had extensive experience with families from many global cultures.

Many international families feel more comfortable with practices that follow ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) clinical guidelines, as they also align closely with the prenatal protocols used in many other countries.

At The Am-Sino International Birth Center, our maternity protocols are informed by ACOG and other relevant international standards, so your care plan can remain consistent with what you'd expect back home.

So as not to let your first checkup get lost in the chaos of resettlement, you can book your appointment with The Am-Sino International Birth Center before you even leave home but emailing us at international@am-sino.com or reaching out via wechat.

Decode Your Insurance Coverage

Maternity benefits vary enormously between insurers and countries. Before your first appointment, confirm:

Whether your plan covers prenatal visits, delivery, and newborn care in Shanghai

If there is a waiting period or pre-authorization requirement

Whether the clinic offers direct billing with major international insurers - this eliminates the hassle of paying out-of-pocket and filing claims later

Shanghai has a robust private healthcare sector, and if you are coming from a country with government-funded healthcare, the price tag might come as a surprise.

Am-Sino International Birth Center supports direct billing with most major insurers, and a quick conversation with the international patient services team can clear up your coverage before you even book your first visit.

Know the Local Post-Birth Paperwork

If this baby will be born in Shanghai, start thinking early about:

The citizenship and passport requirements of your home country's (including what kind of documentation you need to prove citizenship by descent). All babies born in China will receive a Chinese Birth Certificate from their hospital of birth, however they are not afforded Chinese citizenship if neither of their parents are Chinese themselves. This means that their citizenship, passport and Chinese residency permit applications need to be started quickly after they are born.

Discuss the timeline for your visa/residence permit registration with your HR, and discuss it with the hospital administration team in advance if it seems likely that either parent may be without their passport when baby is due.

Know your employer's maternity and paternity leave policies (and check they comply with the local regulations so that you are not short-changed in your contract).

Your clinic's international patient coordinator should be able to walk you through the hospital-side paperwork, but your employment and consular steps are worth researching now.

Build Your Support Network

Not Just Your Medical Team

A healthy pregnancy is about more than check-ups. Research consistently shows that social support during pregnancy reduces stress, improves outcomes, and makes the transition to motherhood easier.

Start building your circle as soon as you arrive:

Prenatal classes

Look for courses taught in English that cover labor preparation, breastfeeding, and newborn care. These are also one of the best ways to meet other expectant parents in the same boat.

The Am-sino International Birth Center runs regular prenatal education classes in English, so you don't have to hunt around the city for a program that fits your language and schedule- we even have free online classes that you can join before you move!

Doula support

If you valued continuous labor support in your home country, know that doula services are available in Shanghai too. A doula who speaks your language and understands your birth preferences can be an invaluable bridge between you and the local system. Our in-house program matches you with English-speaking birth doulas who are familiar with both your cultural expectations and the local hospital environment.

Parent communities

Shanghai Mama's is a long-standing community for expectant and new mothers in the city. It's an excellent resource for honest recommendations, secondhand baby gear, and real-time advice from the people who have been exactly where you are.

The earlier you plug into these resources, the less isolated you'll feel, and the more confident you'll be navigating a new healthcare system.

You're Not Starting Over

You're Continuing

Moving to Shanghai while pregnant can feel like hitting reset on everything, but your prenatal care should be a continuation, not a restart. The right team will pick up where your last provider left off, respect your birth preferences, and help you feel at home in a new city.

Ready to transfer your records or book your first visit? Scan the QR code below, or email international@am-sino.com for questions about insurance coverage, prenatal class schedules, appointments, or anything else. Our international patient services team is here to help - even if you haven't set up WeChat yet.

And don't forget to say hello in the Shanghai Mama's community - you'll find plenty of company there!