It should be mentioned as an alternative that you can fly. China Eastern sometimes has direct flights. Otherwise you can transfer. More expensive than bus or train of course, but has other advantages too.

Thanks Dragon. We'd still like to hear of anyone's experience after these regs have come in of doing their visa here in Kunming, ie how the discretion is applied here.
Also keen to know the notarization requirements.

I checked on my embassy website, and it listed the following as the new regulations of July 1

English:
au.china-embassy.org/eng/ls/vfc/t1054666.htm

Chinese:
au.china-embassy.org/chn/lsfw/lxdt/t1039040.htm

Doesn't seem to specifically refer to a criminal check, but there are vague comments that might give leeway for a particular office to make further requirements.

Whoever does their visa in Kunming first, please let us know!

International Clinic is moving again? Any info on what the new location will be?

They are only a clinic, so I think they can only provide consultation. When my family have attended there, the foreign medical staff seemed qualified, but I don't know the specifics. You could call and ask them.

If you want peace of mind during a pregnancy, you could definitely take your ultrasound/blood test results etc for them to interpret. Perhaps you would sometimes get a different perspective than from a Chinese hospital, if you feel that would reassure you.