Chinese birth tourists: debate boils over (月子中心)

Birth tourists at Costco in Industry

In Chinese they are known as 月子中心 (roughly translated that’s the month of the center). Essentially these locations cater to a Chinese tradition that requires confinement of pregnant women immediately before (and for a month after) they give birth. The classier places offer a variety of services.

For the women who participate, the goal is to have a child who is a U.S. citizen, thus afforded a passport and citizenship exemptions at the best universities.

Neighbors don’t like the centers so much. They bring noise, traffic and trash problems.

Nonetheless birthing centers are legal and have been in the news for quite some time.

Attached is a photo I took of women enrolled at a Rowland Heights birthing center who were shopping at Costco in Industry.

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