On every visit to the hospital we always wonder if we will see any other expats. We’ve asked our translator and have been told there is only about four other western patients at this time. For a few appointments we did see another non-Chinese couple but were never brave enough to go up and say hello.
Of all places I met this other mummy-to-be at the monthly gathering of the Sauvignon Club. (Once a month we expat ladies gather for good food and wine at the St Regis Hotel.) The chairwoman had mentioned to me that she had another woman wanting to attend but not drink any wine (which is kind of the point of the club). I was so surprised to see the woman from the hospital appear and even more surprised when she said, “I know” after I introduced myself. It turns out that for about an hour into one of her appointments they thought she was me and kept calling her by my name!
It was really lovely to meet another pregnant woman and we have stayed in touch since. She has met up with our doula to go over a few things and we were able to have a birthing class together with her and her husband. I feel extra lucky to have met her as her due date is about 11 weeks before mine so she will be able to give us the low-down on labor and birth at AmCare.
-Mrs T