Hi Sarah and Dave,
I gave birth at the Union hospital in Aug 2005. I only chose this hospital due to it's close proximity since I live in Sheung Shui and was worried about travelling time. The hospital itself was nice and comfortable, the midwife assigned to me was fantastic and I had a great labour and birth experience. My husband stayed with me all the time, and even ordered food for himself from the canteen. I was transferred to a private room during my labour and then went into the delivery suite when I was 8cm dilated. I was quite flexible with my birth plan, and since I was induced I was more or less confined to the bed but I didn't feel like moving around anyway. At the delivery room, I used the birthing chair which I'm sure helped me have an easy delivery.
Having said that, I would consider a different private hospital next time due to the following complaints.
Firstly, I had always planned on having a private room but when I checked in, all private rooms were full so I had no choice but to share. This meant my husband was unable to stay overnight and I couldn't have my baby room in with me.
Unless you have a private room, they are unable to bring baby to you for breastfeeding. You have to go to the nursery and breastfeed with all the other mothers. The nurses are always on hand to help with breastfeeding and offer tips. However they prefer to breastfeed according to a 3-4 hour schedule. If you want to breastfeed on demand, you have to be firm and ask to be called whenever baby cries.
Mothers are allowed access to the nursery 24 hours, but Dads are only allowed in for 1/2 hour each night, and you have to book the slot in advance. The only other way they get to see baby is by viewing through the nursery window at set times during the day.
There isn't any hands-on baby care. They only show you instructional VCDs.
I believe the hospital has undergone major renovations since last year, and you may want to take the hospital tour, and check if they have changed any of their policies.
