Prenatal Packages in Shanghai

Prenatal Packages in Shanghai

When having a baby in Shanghai, there are a number of prenatal tests and packages provided by the various clinics and hospitals to assess the development of the baby. Which one do I choose? Must I sign up for the entire package? What happens if I discontinue the package? Do I need to take the prenatal package of the hospital that I intend to deliver in? Can they tailor the prenatal package according to my needs? What types of prenatal tests are available in Shanghai?

Let's first take a quick overview of prenatal testing.

Difference between screening and diagnostic test

A screening test detects the risk of a health problem thereby suggesting further testing if the probablity of abnormality is high. A diagnostic test, on the other hand, confirms whether the baby has a particular health problem.

FAQ: Shanghai Prenatal Package

1) Do I have to take the prenatal package of the hospital that I intend to deliver in?
No need to. For international hospitals and VIP clinics, you only need to see them at least 4 to 6 times before your estimated due date.

2) Must I sign up for the entire package?
No. If you decide not to sign up, then you will pay for individual test at retail price.

3) What happens if I signed up and discontinue the package?
Once a package is bought, there will be no refund unless the pregnancy is terminated due to medical reasons. And when that happens, tests and services rendered will be charged at regular price. Some will even add a 10% charge on top of this.

4) If I don't sign up for the package, what is the price of individual test?
To compare the price of individual prenatal test of various clinics and hospitals in Shanghai, click here

5) What types of prenatal tests are available in Shanghai?

Down Sydrome Screening

All packages offered in Shanghai combine both ultrasound and blood test, except for Shanghai United, SEIMC and Shanghai East Hospital. For Parkway Health, they offer either First Trimester Down Syndrome Screening test OR Triple test in their package. Not both.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

This test is not available in China.

Maternal DNA Test

Available at Raffles Medical, Peace Maternity, Shanghai East Hospital and Worldpath. It costs about CNY4,200 with a CNY200,000 insurance to cover Down Syndrome births.

Triple or Quad Test

Triple test is included in most prenatal packages in Shanghai except for Shanghai United, Raffles Medical and Shanghai East Hospital.

For mothers who prefer to proceed with Quad test, it is available upon request at Raffles Medical. Only Shanghai East Hospital includes Quad test within its prenatal pacakge.

Take note that some international health insurance do not cover Triple or Quad test for mothers below 35, so do check in advance.

Level II Ultrasound

Between week 18 to 20, Level II ultrasound, sometimes referred to as Fetal Anatomy Scan, will be administered by your doctor to enable him or her to have a detailed look at the developing vital organs of the baby

Amniocentesis

Following an abnormal Triple or Quad test result, your doctor may advise you to proceed with amniocentesis which is a diagnostic test that is 99% accurate in detecting chromosome abnormalities, genetic disorders and neural tube defects.

In Shanghai, PCR method is used instead of the FISH - fluorescent in situ hybridization - method. The procedure is only available at local hospitals:

• International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital,
• Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital
• Shanghai Red House Maternity and Infant Hospital
• Xinhua Hospital

6) Can they tailor the prenatal package according to my needs?

For mothers who want more flexibility in terms of designing their own prenatal care, Raffles Medical offers 3 packages at CNY3,600 and CNY6,280. Tests such as First Trimester Down Syndrome, Triple/Quad test and Maternal DNA are offered as optionals.

7) Does my expat pregnancy insurance cover all prenatal tests?

Some of the items that are not covered by international health insurers are:

• voluntary C-section delivery unless proven to be medically required,
• any form of assisted conception or any complications thereafter, like premature or multiple births,
• prenatal classes,
• for women below age 35: triple or quad tests, amniocentesis, DNA analysis
• 3D and 4D ultrasounds,
• no more than 3 routine pre-natal ultrasound unless medically required,
• no more than 12 routine pre-natal check-ups unless medically required

For detailed price table of prenatal packages and delivery cost in Shanghai, please click here

FAQs: Expat Maternity Insurance