"I hope I have broken the ice for men aspiring to become a yuesao (maternity nurse). As a pioneer in this profession, I must go forward."

Li Junning, Beijing's first trained male yuesao, explains his motivation to enter the female-dominated profession. Li, 32, quit his job as a civil servant in Hunan Province several years ago and received his yuesao qualification earlier this month. The duties of a yuesao include caring for a mother and her newborn at home over a period of a month or longer. This period, known as yuezi, forbids mothers from almost all activities, including bathing. Li is currently searching for work. (Source: Beijing Evening News)