Hospitals add beds for maternity boom

High-risk pregnancies expected to grow to 80% of admissions at Beijing's top facilities

Facing a predicted surge in pregnancies this year following the adoption of the universal second-child policy in China, major hospitals in Beijing are setting aside twice as many beds as usual for woman with high-risk pregnancies.

Health authorities in the capital say they will increase the number of obstetrics beds and available staff in public hospitals - and purchase services at private hospitals if necessary - to meet the expected demand, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning said on Monday.