A story on the this point - I worked with some colleagues from a giant China company. One of them just had his firstborn and was deployed outside the country for 3 months. The other also had small children and was also deployed outside his country for months.

These guys were also the first in the office, last ones out.

I doubt a Western company would be as eager to split a parent from their babies, but this was a common thing, especially when you're the linchpin.