Despite facing opposition for choosing an unconventional profession, the 25-year-old man is now admired by millions.

In the healthcare environment, which is traditionally considered a field with a large female workforce, a male midwifery A 25-year-old in China is becoming a social media sensation thanks to his solid expertise, dedicated attitude, and handsome appearance. Not only has he overcome gender stereotypes in his profession, but he has also inspired others by persevering in this particularly meaningful work.

The person attracting attention is Zhang Jintao (25 years old, living in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, China). After graduating from university, Zhang became a midwife at a leading provincial hospital and is now one of the very few. men working in this field.

According to Southern Daily, men accounted for only about 3% of all nurses in China in 2021. Of those, the proportion of male midwives was even lower, making Zhang's profession particularly rare.

However, the young man's journey in pursuing this career was not easy. Speaking to the medical journal Yixuejie, Zhang shared that he had faced much gossip and criticism from his relatives.

Some family members believed that midwifery was an unsuitable profession for men, even calling it a "shameful" or "disgraceful" choice. However, Zhang's practical experiences at the hospital gave him a completely different perspective.

He said that witnessing the childbirth process firsthand deeply moved him, highlighting the strength and sacrifice of women. This further reinforced his belief that the work he is doing has profound significance for families and society.

"The more I interact with new mothers, the more I understand the strength of women during childbirth.", Zhang shared.

Besides the pressure from social stigma, the biggest challenge for young male midwives is gaining the trust of expectant mothers and their families.

Due to traditional notions regarding privacy, many women feel apprehensive about or refuse the care of male midwives. Zhang said that respecting patients' wishes is always a top priority in his work.

There was a time when he considered giving up the profession because of the difficulties and pressures he faced. However, after much thought, Zhang decided to continue with the work that he considers to be of special value.

One of his most memorable experiences occurred during a night shift when he received a pregnant woman who went into rapid labor. This was a dangerous situation that could cause severe bleeding in the mother or lead to intracranial hemorrhage in the newborn (brain hemorrhage).

After the examination, Zhang gently assisted with his hands to slow the baby's head out, while continuously encouraging and reassuring the mother.

Thanks to the timely support of the medical team, the birth went safely. Zhang said that the moment he heard his baby's first cry brought him a feeling of happiness and he considered it a profound achievement.

Young male midwives also reject the common notion that midwives are simply people who assist doctors or perform basic nursing tasks.

According to him, midwives play a crucial role throughout the entire birthing process. They participate in monitoring fetal development before birth, guiding mothers during labor, identifying risks, providing pain relief, and advising on newborn care and breastfeeding after birth.

In China, midwives are primarily trained in general nursing and childbirth care. Meanwhile, obstetricians are specialists in treating complications, performing surgery, and managing high-risk pregnancies.

Zhang believes that the midwifery profession requires not only specialized knowledge but also good physical fitness. This is also why he believes that men can excel in this field.

He called it the ability to bring "powerful tenderness" to expectant mothers. “Midwives need to understand the pain mothers go through during childbirth and help alleviate their anxiety. If healthcare workers lose patience at that point, things will only become more difficult for them.” Zhang shared this with Chinese media.

Currently, Zhang is one of three male midwives working in the obstetrics department of the hospital. Besides his professional skills, his handsome appearance has also become a topic of interest for many netizens. Many people commented that Zhang possesses a striking look and compared him to famous Chinese actors Zhang Linghe and Chen Xiao.

A woman who had received care from Zhang shared with local media that he was very gentle, dedicated, and professional, no less so than any of his female colleagues.

"Every day we look forward to this handsome midwife visiting the wards. It really brightens everyone's mood," The woman said.

Zhang's sudden rise to fame on social media hasn't changed his career path. He said that in the future, he will continue to study, research, and participate in activities to disseminate medical knowledge, aiming to help the public better understand the childbirth process and the role of midwives.

"The medical profession is gender-neutral. Male midwives also have their own strengths.", he asserted.

Zhang's story received widespread support from the online community. Many people argued that professional competence and dedication are the most important factors, rather than a person's gender.

One netizen commented: "It's wonderful to see such an outstanding male midwife. Once confidence in expertise is established, gender differences gradually become less important." Meanwhile, another person humorously wrote: "How lucky a newborn baby is to be greeted by a handsome midwife right from the first moment of its life."