New services for would-be moms

BEIJING, Dec. 20 -- A pregnant woman opened one of the largest postnatal care facilities in Shanghai yesterday, in response to growing demand from mothers-to-be, the news website eastday.com reported.
Xu Yun, who is expecting her baby in three months' time, said she came up with the idea with her husband after being disappointed with the services offered by existing centers.
Converted from a luxury hotel in the city's Pudong district, the center has 100 rooms and offers a range of services.
"Having a baby is perhaps the most important thing for a woman," Xu said.
"We can provide tailored services from pre-birth to post-delivery, all of which are well worth the money."
Services cost from 26,400 yuan (3,600 U.S. dollars) to 35,400 yuan a month, she said.
As well as offering the services of professional nurses and childcare specialists, the center will also provide clients with dietary advice and beauty tips, Xu said.
According to observers, demand for pre- and postnatal care is growing due to the fact that the 1980s baby boomers are now looking to start families of their own.
According to the municipal population and family planning commission, 160,000 babies will be born in Shanghai this year, with 175,000 expected next year.
A shortage of nannies is also expected as many people in the profession leave their jobs at this time of year to return home for family reunions, the commission said.
Many pregnant women from neighboring Zhejiang Province and the Yangtze River Delta are also moving to Shanghai in search of good quality health and childcare services, it said.