Abstract

PIP: China's 1-child policy has intensified couple's desire for the safe delivery of a healthy infant and necessitated improvements in maternity care. Since the late 1970s, systematic maternity care has been available to women in China from early pregnancy to 42 days after delivery. In addition, over 50 major cities offer sophisticated perinatal care services, including prenatal intrauterine diagnosis and genetic consultations. The maternal mortality rate has declined from 15/1000 in 1949 to the present rate of 0.5/1000 while infant mortality dropped from about 200/1000 to 35/1000 in this same period. 15-20% of current deliveries are by cesarean section, often through the use of acupuncture which minimizes blood loss. To encourage rural women to deliver in hospitals, a 50% discount is provided for surgical costs. To encourage better infant care and raise the breast-feeding rate among working mothers, the Ministry of Labor and Personnel has proposed a 90-day maternity leave regulation. The Chinese Government pays a 5-yuan allowance to only children until they reach the age of 15 years and 1-child families are given priorities in kindergarten, school, housing, and employment assignments. China's well-organized maternity care network consists of 3 levels: on-the-street stations, clinics that keep detailed records on pregnant patients, and hospitals that handle high-risk pregnancies.