[Health Byte] AI is Deployed in SH For Pregnant Women

[Health Byte] is your insider guide to navigating Shanghai's health maze. From the labyrinth of public and private healthcare options to the pulse of cutting-edge medical services, we've got you covered. Each bite-sized article ends with a health tip, making wellness in the city more accessible than ever. Wondering about hospital features, where to find bilingual medics, or the scoop on insurance coverage? Health Byte breaks it down, offering clear, actionable insights.

When Expecting Gets Overwhelming

Having a baby is supposed to be joyful – but anyone who's been through it (or watched someone close go through it) knows it can also be mentally exhausting. From pregnancy to delivery to those bleary-eyed newborn months, many women experience stress, anxiety (persistent worry that's hard to switch off), and depression (long-lasting low mood, fatigue, and loss of interest in daily life).

And no, this isn't rare – or a personal failure.

The Numbers Behind Maternal Mental Health

Globally, perinatal depression (depression during pregnancy or after childbirth) affects about 11.9 percent of women. In China, estimates range widely from 3.8 to 16.7 percent, depending on region and access to care. Pregnancy-related anxiety (excessive fear tied to health, delivery, or parenting) impacts around 14.4 percent of women worldwide, with Chinese figures hovering between 8.5 and 9.14 percent.

In the US, the situation is even starker: more than one in five pregnant women and new mothers experience some form of mental disorder (conditions affecting mood, thinking, or behavior).

Help Is Scarce – Especially When You Need It Most

Here's the uncomfortable gap: while these issues are common, professional support is not. In Western countries, only 6.3 to 8.6 percent of women with perinatal mental health issues receive proper services. In China, that figure drops to below 3 percent.

In other words, many women are struggling quietly – not because help wouldn't work, but because it's hard to access, time-consuming, or simply unavailable when you're already stretched thin.

Enter AI: Support That Doesn't Sleep

To bridge that gap, medical experts have developed a new AI-powered mental health tool (software that uses algorithms to analyze information and respond intelligently) aimed specifically at women who are planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or navigating early motherhood.

The system offers 24-hour consultation, emotional support, and early intervention (steps taken before symptoms become severe), helping women get guidance when they actually need it – not weeks later.

A First of Its Kind in China

Built on real clinical practice (medical care based on patient treatment and research), this platform is the first national digital mental health system designed specifically for women during pregnancy and postpartum life.

What makes it different is its timing. The system adjusts its support depending on where a woman is – from pregnancy preparation to prenatal care, childbirth, and newborn care – allowing for more precise intervention (targeted support matched to specific needs at each stage).

In a city where convenience often defines quality of life, this kind of always-on mental health backup could be a quiet game-changer.

How the AI Actually Works

"It's an innovative service model that combines AI assistance with clinical support," says Xia Xian, one of the project's lead doctors. "We've built a closed-loop system – covering education, screening, intervention, response, and follow-up."

In practical terms, that means the platform doesn't just hand out generic advice and disappear.

When women reach out online with mental health concerns, the AI system (software trained to recognize patterns in language and behavior) first classifies their symptoms. If someone shows moderate or severe mental distress (levels where professional care is usually needed), the system immediately alerts medical staff and helps match the patient with an appropriate specialist.

For women experiencing milder symptoms – things like persistent worry, sleep disruption, or low mood – the AI steps in directly. It creates personalized prenatal and postnatal intervention plans (structured guidance designed to prevent symptoms from worsening), complete with clear to-do lists and scheduled reminders. Think meditation guidance, emotional check-ins, and simple daily mental health tasks that actually fit into real life.

Personalized, Not One-Size-Fits-All

According to Xia, every plan is individualized – built from evidence-based medical data (treatment approaches proven effective through research) and a specialized psychological language database (a curated collection of mental health terminology and response patterns).

In short, this isn't a chatbot tossing out inspirational quotes. It's a system grounded in real clinical knowledge, tailored to each user's situation.

Early Results – and What's Next

The platform has already been tested in a national trial involving 500 pregnant women, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many participants found it useful enough to recommend it to friends – no small vote of confidence when it comes to mental health.

Next on the roadmap: partnering with enterprises to apply for an official digital therapy license (regulatory approval for software-based medical treatment) and launching a dedicated app for nationwide use.

And this is just the beginning. The team plans to expand into AI-based tools for sleep support (addressing insomnia and disrupted sleep cycles) and weight management (healthy weight control during pregnancy), further blending medical care, research, and real-world application.

For expectant and new mothers juggling everything at once, that kind of support could make a meaningful difference – quietly, consistently, and on their own terms.

How to use the AI tool

Meet Xiaohong, the Hospital's Digital Helper

AI isn't new at Fudan University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, better known to locals as the Red House Hospital (named for its distinctive building). The hospital has already rolled out an AI assistant called Xiaohong – literally "Little Red" – designed to make the entire medical experience smoother and less stressful.

At a very basic level, Xiaohong helps patients and doctors cut through the usual hospital friction: fewer repetitive questions, fewer wrong turns, and far less aimless wandering through corridors.

From Pre-Visit to Follow-Up – All in One Place

Before you even step foot in the hospital, Xiaohong collects essential information online – symptoms (what you're feeling), medical history (past illnesses or treatments), and other basics – then directs you to the right department.

Once you're face-to-face with a doctor, the system supports the consultation by offering treatment suggestions (doctor-reviewed care options based on patient data). And it doesn't stop there. After your visit, Xiaohong continues working in the background with at-home follow-ups, including rehabilitation plans (guided recovery steps), dietary advice, exercise suggestions, and ongoing health tracking (monitoring key indicators over time).

Mental Health Joins the Lineup

Mental health support has now been added to Xiaohong's growing list of functions. Importantly for Shanghai's international community, the service is bilingual, reflecting the hospital's busy international medical department – the largest within the city's public maternity system.

This means emotional support and mental health guidance are no longer siloed from physical care; they're part of the same ecosystem.

A Hospital-Wide Shift Toward Smart Medicine

According to Dr Jiang Hua, the hospital's president, AI is now deeply woven into both hospital management and clinical practice (day-to-day patient care). Staff are actively encouraged to design and refine AI tools based on real-world clinical needs, research goals, and operational challenges.

"Our hospital is closely connected to women, children, and families," Jiang explains. "By integrating medicine with engineering, we're combining strong medical expertise with cutting-edge technology to build a more delivery-friendly hospital – one that offers patients a calmer, more comfortable experience."

In a healthcare system often defined by queues and complexity, Xiaohong represents a quieter shift: technology that fades into the background, while care feels more human.

If you go

Expatriates can contact the hospital's international medical department

Tel: 021-3318-9900 ext 8538

E-mail: fckgjb@fckyy.org.cn

Health Byte Tips: It's Flu Season

Shanghai has officially entered flu season (the annual spike in influenza infections), with health officials warning that case numbers are likely to peak between late this month and early next month.

To keep things manageable – and avoid overcrowding major hospitals – neighborhood health centers across the city have all activated fever clinics (dedicated outpatient units for patients with fever or flu-like symptoms). These clinics are open daily, making it easier to get checked quickly without navigating a full hospital visit.

Faster Testing, Smarter Triage

Most neighborhood centers are now equipped with CT machines (imaging scanners that create detailed pictures of the body) and rapid virus testing capable of delivering results in about 30 minutes.

Patients with mild symptoms – such as low-grade fever, sore throat, or fatigue – can be treated on the spot. Those showing signs of a more serious condition (symptoms that may require advanced care) are transferred immediately to higher-level hospitals.

Care for Kids – and Traditional Options

Each fever clinic is staffed with experienced pediatricians (doctors specializing in children's health), general practitioners (GPs) (doctors trained to treat common illnesses), and TCM therapists (practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

For families with young children, this includes pediatric tuina (a form of therapeutic massage used in TCM to ease symptoms and support recovery), alongside more conventional treatments.

Vaccines and Language Support

Flu shots (vaccinations that help prevent influenza or reduce symptom severity) are available daily at neighborhood health centers, making it easy to get protected without booking far ahead.

And for Shanghai's international residents, there's good news: many neighborhood clinics now offer bilingual medical services, lowering the language barrier during what's already a stressful time.

Bottom line? If flu season hits your household, you don't have to go far – or wait long – to get help.

Coming Up Next: When a Mole Isn't Just a Mole

Most of us have moles – small, usually harmless spots on the skin that barely register in daily life. But occasionally, a mole can be an early warning sign of skin cancer (abnormal growth of skin cells that can become dangerous if left untreated). Knowing how to tell the difference matters – and it's something many of us were never taught.

So what separates a mole that's perfectly normal from one that deserves a closer look? And what's the smart, low-effort way to monitor your skin (regularly checking for changes in size, shape, or color) without turning into a hypochondriac?

We'll break it all down in the next Health Byte. Stay tuned – your future self will thank you.

About the Author

Cai Wenjun is a seasoned health reporter with Shanghai Daily. With extensive experience covering the local medical system, hospitals, health officials and leading medical experts, Cai has reported on major pandemics including SARS, swine flu and COVID-19, as well as developments in the local health industry.