Pregnant in Hong Kong

Posted by sherwes (347 days ago)

Hi, I am currently living in Australia and my husband and I are planning to move to HK in the next six months or so.
I am 17 weeks pregnant with our first child and we are trying to decide whether we should go to the HK before or after having the baby. I think that my preference would be move prior to having the baby so that I can make some friends and feel a bit settled when the time comes. I am apprehensive about moving with a baby that is only a couple of months old because I think I will be very tired and "nesting" big time.
Can anyone give me some advice about the standard of maternity care in HK? Can I expect the same (or better) than Australia? Alos, any comments on giving birth in HK would be appreciated!
many thanks
Sherwes

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (347 days ago)

the standard of medical care in HK is fantastic. both if you go private (much more $$$, and more luxurious) or if you go public (if you have HKID, dirt cheap, but also "no frills").

as a matter of fact, if you go private and there is a major problem, they will transfer the baby to the public hospital (Queen Mary) that is attached to the University of Hong Kong.

as for giving birth, that is different for each and ever baby, not just for each and every mother...doesn't matter which hospital you go to.

good luck! (i have 2 that were born in HK, one is 2 y 4 m and the other is 4 m)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sherwes (346 days ago)

Thanks Cara. Do you have any idea as to how ealry you need to book in? I will be 6 months pregnant by the time that we will know definately about the move. Do you think that will be too late to find an ob and hospital? I have a confirmed booking and an ob in Sydney as a back up.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (346 days ago)

it depends on whether you go public (no choice of dr) or private (some dr have special relationships with certain hospitals). there has been some craziness with regards to private hospitals here and they seem to be booking up in advance pretty early.however, don't despair, you WILL NOT be turned away if you go to the public hospital(i delivered both my kids in public). if you have HKID it is dirt cheap, if not, it is more expensive, but again, they won't turn you away!

i'm not really sure how to go about finding a private dr here, if that's your choice, sorry.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mum of 2 (346 days ago)

sherwes, if you want to go privately, I suggest that you find a doctor to book you in now. There has been excessive demand for private hospitals this year, as cara mentioned. One of the posters on this site has taken the time to compile a spreadsheet of Obstetricians in HK. If you PM Wishing and Hoping, she will send it to you.

Freinds from Australia (I'm not Australian) have raved about the Matilda. I have not given birth there yet, but have been there a number of times for other reasons. It's seemed pretty similar to a private hospital in London (but that's probably not much help).

Good luck.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by titouamoi (343 days ago)

hello cara, which public hospital did you give birth in? thx

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by malben (330 days ago)

Hi Sherwes, I'm an Aussie in HK. I'm 6 months pregnant and I see a private gyno. Dr Robert Dawkins, 715 Jardine House Central, HK. Tel +852 2715 4577. He is an Aussie himself and has a very good reputation - I am very happy. He only delivers at the Matilda Hospital, which is private & expensive. Check out their website www.matilda.org. You should be able to find out the costs of their maternity packages. From memory the base price starts at around AUD$10K. If money's not a problem then Dr. Dawkins and the Matilda would be great. The other option is the public hospital system which I've heard is excellent & very inexpensive. If you do go with the public hospital system you might like to look into the doula services offered by Annerley midwives www.annerley.com.hk. They are professional midwives. They can come to your home to help you with first stages of labour, they can also assist you during the delivery and they do home visits after the birth. Note, in the public hospital I enquired about "Queen Mary's" they only allow 1 person in the delivery room and also visiting hours are restricted, from memory 12 - 1pm and 6-8pm. Hope that helps, good luck

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by buyer01 (325 days ago)

I have given birth in the last eighteen months at queen Marys and found the medical care excellent. I would not hesitate to go there again.

However a point to note is that now you may not be able to deliver there if you live in certain areas(there may be ways around this!).

I looked into using Annerly midwives based on their reputation but decided against it as they would not be allowed to assist at Queen Marys hospital. They have a strict one person allowed in the delivery room policy and that is usually the husband.

(I am based in Hong Kong)