Help--Union or Matilda

C

carey

Registered User
Thank your for taking time to offer advice.

I have been reading many thread sfrom all the forums and I learn a lot but I haven't yet make up my mind about which hospital to go and I need some help.

My situation is this
I am due in June and our insurance cover all costs. so, cost is not an issues in a way. I would really like to use Matilda with all her good reviews.

But We live a lot closer to Shatin and it's easier and a lot cheaper for us to check up and for my family to visit me in Shatin.

However, the only thing I am not sure about Union is that when I try to make an appointment with them yesterday, they asked me to choose a C section and a natural delivery doctor. I prefer natural birth but I wanted a professional suggestion first since they found benign tumor in my uterus before. I am not sure how this tumor might affect which way of delivery to choose and I wanted professional advice.

When I called Matilda, they said their Ob can preform both.

So, what are your experience with this? is it usual that you have to decide on this? Thank you again.
 
Hi.

It sounds weird to me that you have to choose a natural or c-section delivery doctor already? I was all for a natural delivery and then developed pre-eclampsia at 36 weeks, so I had to have a c-section at 38 weeks. How I could have forseen this when I booked my hospital at 8 weeks I have no idea!!

I gave birth at the Matilda and loved it, I highly recommend it. Everyone is so lovely & helpful and the food was fantastic!

Good Luck with your decision and the rest of your pregnancy.

Belinda
 
Matilda

Hi Belinda,
Thank you for your reply. It's very helpful.

There is something with Matilda thought. I called to inquire and they provided me a list of OB/GN and gave me number to schedule appointments.

I checked out different OB/GN online according to the list and decided on a few (in case if the only one I know is too busy) names I then called. I wanted to have OB/Gn who can speak both Cantonese and English because I want both my family and husband can be kept informed.

Anyway, I called. The lady answered the phone told me some of the OB names I gave them were not from the hospital or she rarely saw them there. She even questioned me if I was reading from a list of her hospital.

I felt a little puzzled because I got that list from them and I just followed the steps suggested in their email.

I am new to the Hongkong healthcare system. But I guess I need suggestion for a good OB who can get me a bed in Matilda or Union since OB seemed work in different hospital here. I will go on looking on other threads for good OBs.

But anyone heard of or have had
Dr Chan Patrick and Cheung Grace Wai in Matilda.

Thank you again.
 
Hi Carey

I am actually due for a c-section on 12 Nov 2008.

Just like you I have a tumor in my uterus. My tumor was quite big it measures 10cm x 10cm.

I have been seeing this private OB who have booked me into the Matilda and he supports narural delivery but due to my tumor now I need to deliver by c-section.

Due to the size of of my tumor and further medical complication he have refered me to Queen Mary, but I am still seeing him for follow up care

I am actually with Dr Edmond Hon, he speaks both English and Chinese

You can PM me if you need more info.
 
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If you are interested in breastfeeding ask both hospitals about their rooming-in policy. As far as I know the Matilda will let you room-in with no problem but at the Union you have to keep the baby in the nursery so that even the father can't hold the baby.

Both Dr. Patrick Chan and Dr. Grace Cheung regularly deliver at the Matilda.

The list you get from the hospital is all the doctors who have rights to use the hospital - not necessarily the one that usually use that hospital.
 
Union Hospital

I have heard good things about both hospitals. I just delivered at Union in August and had a great experience. They actually have started allowing the baby to go in the room to breastfeed (started in Sept.). Also, they never asked me to choose natural verses c section but my doctor could do both. You can see him at Union hospital and his name is: Dr. Raymond Chung Ng . He is a very calm reassuring doctor and will answer all of your questions. Hope that helps.
 
Thank you ladies-- barbwong, megan2008 and jaz1311 for sharing.

I called the Union today again to explain to them why I can't decide on Natural or C section doctor. They then suggested DR Connie Yuen, who can perform both. That was very helpful. I've heard some good reviews about her. I thought I am also more comfortable female doctor. so I booked an appointment with her for Nov 15 noon.

Please let me know if you have experience with DR Connie Yuen.

My husband and I live in the Mainland. It's a lot closer for us to get to Shantin. So, I guess I would settle on Union after taking all into consideration. I would love to go to Matilda if were not for the distance. I think that I would be wary of long trips when my stomach gets bigger.

I've heard good reviews about Union, except that they have a lot of Mainland mothers and it's "like a little shenzhen".

Megan's good experience there is reassuring. I am also from the Mainland and I am opting for a private room so I hope the private room that would help to improve my first birthing experience. I sure all of you would agree that when you feel sick or in pain, the last thing you want is discomfort from your surroundings. Thank you for insurance and I can choose the best when I need to.

I also plan to breastfeed. I would remember to check with the hospital about their rooming-in policy.

I will let you know more about my experience.

Thank you for all your advice. I love this forum.
 
I was under Dr Connie Yuen for all my kids (my 3.5 yr. old son & 1 yr. old b/g twins).

She speaks fluent English & Cantonese. She is v. busy. Be aware that you may have to wait up to 1-2hrs. to see her for appointments and when you do go in for your checkup, everything is conducted v. quickly. So have any questions prepared & written down so that you remember to ask them while you're there. Also there may be times when she has to go off to deliver a baby, so that will mean waiting for your appointment will take even longer!

My first son ended up to be a premature baby and we decided to get transfered to Prince of Wales Hospital (during my contractions) b/c of their Neonatal ICU service. PW hospital is only 10mins away from Union, so if you need to go to a public hospital for an emergency it's not far away. I find Dr Connie Yuen v. professional and would recommend her.

My twin pregnancy went fine & delivered via C-section at 37 weeks at Union. I stayed in a lovely single private room (w/ great facilities) & was given the option of having the babies staying in my room during the day. I don't think this is possible for the twin rooms & rooms w/ 4 beds. But check anyway. I had my twins in Sept. 2007.

Why don't you ring up the hospitals to arrange for an appointment to be shown around before you make up your mind?
 
HiCarey,

Does your insurance covers pre-natal check up too? You may like to consider the cost if you are not covered by insurance. I have heard the consultation may cost you over HK$1000 per visit. I paid about HK$450 per visit includes ultra sound scanning. (excluding blood test & supplement)

Just in case you are switching your mind on which doctor to go. I would highly recommend my doctor Alexander Yip. You can visit him at Shatin or TST medical centre. Tel: 2603 2123. He does both C-section and natural birth too.

I have just delivered in Union Hospital in late Aug 08. Fantastic! It was like staying at 5 stars hotel :) They even have bird nest on the menu. Make full use on your insurance coverage. ;)

Yes, you can have your baby in your room(Private room). However, going to Nursery room for breastfeeding is really useful for first time mom, if you are doing breast feeding.

There are nurses around there to guide you along.eg: how to get baby latch on, is baby sucking the right way...

I wouldnt mind to have 2nd baby after having a great experience with Union hospital and Doctor's expertise.

Hope the info helps and enjoy your pregnancy.

Cheers,
Ai li
 
I`m also living on the mainland so going to Matilda (and paying those prices uninsured) was not really an option for us.
I took a tour of Union and went to see Dr. Ng a couple of times. He`s a great doctor. From what I know, if you have a private room, only then can your baby stay with you. That was a real turn off for me since I couldn`t afford the private room prices (higher than the brochure - you have to pay an additional high fee per day).
In the end, due to passport and visa issues, I`ve decided to have my baby (due in Jan) in Guangzhou at the VIP Birthing Centre. Private rooms all around, nice atmosphere, and friend recommendations of their births.
But if I were having my baby in HK, I would opt for Union, mostly bc of its proximity and also bc it`s a very nice hospital, despite their strictness about the baby rooming and visiting hrs.
 
Hi Shenzhennifer, I am glad that you are able to find a comfortable place for your birth in Guangzhou. I thought Shenzhen would have had a birth center like the one in Guangzhou. But I guess most mother in Shenzhen would go across the boarder. With so many diplomat and expats in Guangzhou, there is a bigger need there.

Other reason for giving birth in Hongkong is that the Hongkong pass my child will get would allow her/him almost free access to travel to or live in China with us. we won't have to worry about getting him/her Chinese visa to be here. With the way our jobs are going, it looks like we are here to stay.

Goo luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your birth and stay in touch.
 
Hi all,
I went to the Union for a visit this weekend and They showed me to the maternity ward, rooms and suites.

It all looked satisfactory to me. There were a lot of Mainland mothers and accompanying families. I did not see any expat there. So, there might be some "staring" when visit. But hopefully not.

Anyway, I don't believe this would have lowered the standard of their service.

The staffs were all very friendly and efficient and speak both Chinese and English. Most importantly, the Union is very close to the Mainland.

I think I am definitely settled in there now. Good luck to all of you and thank you for sharing.
 
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