Just found out...so many questions

[tutor1]

Hi

I'm relatively new to HK and just found out I'm pregnant. I'm keeping it quiet for the first couple of months but feel I should be doing some investigating.

I have so many questions.

I do not have insurance so I don't even know where to start. The hospital I have been to to is PWH but I don't want to go there (my major gripe is below). Can anyone advise a really nice, safe, considerate and efficient PUBLIC HOSPITAL? We are thinking of moving so proximity of hospitals will be taken into consideration when we do. I would prefer to be in a ward with a minimum of people too.

I understand there is a $30,000 pregnancy package but I don't know what this means? Does this make it private or public?

If anything goes wrong, what am I covered for? eg. premature, intensive care, etc.

- Want to go to a good vitamin place - suggestions?


ANY, ANY ADVICE ANYONE CAN GIVE ME ABOUT CENTRES, INFORMATION, ANYTHING WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I'VE ALREADY STARTED BUYING BOOKS BUT KNOW I'VE GOT TO GET OUT 'THERE'. Also want to join a good exercise class.

Thanks.
NOW FOR MY COMPLAINT -

After being checked in for an unrelated illness and discharged I went for a subsequent visit the doctor and he had no recording of my blood readings taken during that time. Of course it was a new doctor but this was unsettling, particularly since they had admitted me. I told him I had taken a pregnancy test that morning and it had said positive. I asked what do I need to do - do you have to take another blood test to confirm - he said, "No. Come back in 4 weeks. We can't do anything. If you get your period, then you're not pregnant!"

I said I wanted a blood test to test my mineral levels so he sent me for a blood test.

I went home and thought about what he said (if you get your period, etc) and I decided not to tell my partner until I had the ultrasound as I knew this was a vulnerable time. I also wanted to tell him my way and started to plan how to do so.

A nurse from the hospital phoned THE FOLLOWING DAY and my partner answered and she blurted out, "I need to speak to Tutor1. She's pregnant!" He said, "What? Are you sure." She said "Yes. She must come next week. Here's the appointment time," etc.

How dare she?! I am so mad about this. She didn't know who he was, it says on my form I AM NOT MARRIED so we don't even share the same name and this news is not hers to deliver. I don't know who to go to to complain about this but I am outraged.

Also, if according to him, there's nothing they can do, why do they want me to go for an appt? Is this going to be with yet another doctor and another waste of time?

I really would like the same doctor but realise this is impossible with public. When people talk about a mixture of public and private, is this what they do?

 

[marie313]

hi
first or all, congratulations!
ok, i also have no insurance and have registered with the Pamela Youd hospital in Chai Wan. As far as i can tell, most appointments are free and when you give birth it is $100 per night. As for waiting for your ultrasound before you tell your partner, you will be waiting a long time! in the government hospitals they dont do it until 20 weeks. if you want one before, you will have to go to a private doctor and they charge around $800.
From what i have heard the government hospitals are good for giving birth in, but you dont get much information / sympathy and you will not get the same doctor or midwife.
Hope this helps

 

[tutor1]

Pamela Youd

Thanks.

I've read a bit about Pamela Youd on the site. Is it a public hospital with a private 'feel' or is it specifically a maternity hospital, or is it just closer to where a lot of expats live - in the mid levels?

 

[KMM]

hi
congratulations from me too.
don't worry Hong Kong is a good place to give birth to a baby.
I used Privat Dr for all check ups ( about 400 HKD per visit ) and Queen marry Hospital for delivery. That seems to be unusual but I had so many question about my first pregnancy and the government hospital staff has no time. All together we paid about 8-10 THKD for this.
Given birth in QM was a pleasant experience.
I booked a midwife for housevisits - after the baby arrival.
if anything would go wrong they will send your newborn to QM anyway - peadiatric specialist - and you may be in a hospital far away.
hope I could help a bit.

 

[tutor1]

Queen Mary

Thanks!

Where is Queen Mary Hospital? If it's the one with all the paediatric specialists, it's probably a good one to go too. I may sound nervous but it's just my sister had problems with delivery and her child needed prolonged and extensive care.

So you paid for a private obs/gyn and then you went to the public hospital for birth. Did you register? Did you have to continue going there for check ups? How did it work? Did you have to pay the $30K that I referred to? How long did you stay in hospital? I watched a programme the other night and they checked out the woman 5 hours after delivery! I want to stay at least 4 days!

Thanks.