Perinatal Care: Cultural and Technical Differences between China and the United States

Abstract

A comparison of perinatal care in the U.S. and China is presented. Perinatal care has made tremendous achievements in both countries since mid-century. However, the outcomes in the two cultures are different due to the different focus on caring concepts, the strengths of a nursing philosophy, and the emphasis on the nursing role in maternal care. Perinatal family in the U.S. will have advantages in perinatal education, physical facilities, and a philosophy of care. North American women have greater access to early prenatal and continuing care, and less infant mortality. Chinese women have less access to qualified nursing services, higher infant mortality rates, and limited perinatal education. Overall, Chinese perinatal care is far behind that which is found in the U.S. This comparison analyzes the strengths and weaknesses in both cultures with a focus on change that will produce healthier and more consistent optimal outcomes.