Moving to HK @ 23weeks.. need advice and help!

katelynBB

Registered User
Hi...
Right now I'm 23weeks, I will be moving to HK sometime in July. Can anyone recommend a good OB?
This is my second pregnancy, and I'm looking for a doctor that encourages natural birth, and will respect my birthing plan.
I'll be living in Kowloon, and have been told that St.Teresa Hospital is the best to go to... is that true?

Any suggestions will be great!!!
 
Dr. Sally Ferguson, although she is across the harbor.

St. Teresa is the best in terms of what?

I think most would agree that Matilda is, overall, "the best".
 
I agree with Sally Ferguson and the Matilda, both the best in my opinion. Dr Ferguson will definitely respect your wishes. I can also recommend Hulda Thorey as a doula if you want to take that route.
 
Good luck in trying to get a bed booking there. They fill up very quickly and by the time you get to HK, the advanced bookings may be full to the beginning of next year.
 
Thanks!!! I'm looking into Matilda Hospital now, the fees seem pretty reasonable, I hope there's space! Can anyone tell me what Dr. Sally Ferguson charges? Does she have an email address that I can write to?
 
Welcome to Hong Kong! There are many very good hospitals here and there are very good doctors both in HK island and Kowloon. If you are staying in Kowloon, you may want to consider St. Teresa, Baptist or Union Hospital as they will be nearer and you will not have to struggle with traffic at the cross harbour tunnel when you are in labour. Of course the most important factor is that you find a doctor that you are comfortable with. Many doctors have 2 offices, one in HK (Central) and another in Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui). Good Luck! I am sure you will have a great birthing experience.
 
I've been told by a doctor that I can't go to Matilda because there's no bed for late bookings, is this the case in most private hospitals? I'm feeling really frustrated, as I thought the private hospitals would have been a bit more accomodating, Is it really that difficult to get a bed?
 
Matilda only has 3 birthing rooms and not a lot of beds, so that's why they aren't "accomodating". Good hospital, but not a big hospital.
I know Sally Ferguson can work in Matilda, not sure about the other hospitals. And she charges about HK$1000 for each visit.
 
Dr Sally Ferguson's standard consultation fee is $975HKD. You can contact her at OT&P Wan Chai Practice Ph: 2824 9112.

Usually you would have to book in with the Matilda as soon as you know you are pregnant in order to secure a spot (I booked in at my 5 week appointment back in September) and just delivered there a few weeks ago. As Sleuth said, it only has limited birthing rooms and beds, hence the scarce availability. You can check with Dr Ferguson though whether she is able to get you a spot or not.

Good Luck.
 
To be precise, 16 rooms, of which 6 are single, 2 VIP suites, and 8 double or triple, plus 3 birthing suites. I suggest you find a doctor who is a resident doctor at the Matilda. I was in the same situation. I returned to Hong Kong when I was 20 weeks pregnant and it took until week 30 or so to get a confirmation that I had a bed there. Think of it this way, if the doctor who delivers only at the Matilda really wants your business and your fees, they WILL get you a bed confirmed sooner or later.

Good luck
 
Thanks ania8888.. can you advise on how to contact a doctor who is a resident doctor at matilda? Should I just go to the hospital and ask?
 
Thanks for the info.. I would love to get a bed at Matilda.. my only concern is, if I live in Kowloon, wouldn't it be a long ride to get to the hospital when I'm in labour.. I'm not familiar with the roads and traffic of Hong Kong... I think I'll most likely be staying around Hung Hom area.
 
I wouldn't worry about getting there- Hong Kong is such a small country. I live even further away from your location to Matilda and that is not a concern for me. I've been in labour now at home for 12 hours and still not even considering going to the hospital yet as I'm being monitored by a private doula and I probably will not deliver until tomorrow. It is only very rare that a woman will give birth within an hour or two of labour onset especially if it is the first time giving birth- but the entertainment industry portrays labour as a quick event. Taxis are easy to come by here if you are worried about finding your way to the hospital and they are very inexpensive.
 
I swapped OBGYN's at 20 weeks to Dr Grace Chung, who is wonderful. At that point I was put on the waiting list for Matilda and recieved confirmation at 26 weeks that I had a bed. I was told it could be anywhere up to 36 weeks so was very relieved it happened so quickly.

I was promised by the practice that I would get a bed as they have never had a patient refused one.

Central Health is the practice in Central, HK Island.
 
The other alternative for late booking is to see Danny Leung who is a resident O&G at HK Sanatorium. Although a nice hospital environment, apparently every small thing used is charged for and the style is more chinese orientated. Then again, it should be no more chinese orientated than the Kowloon hospitals
 
I saw Sally Ferguson when I was approx 20 - 25 weeks and was put on the waiting list for Matilda - I am now nearly 36weeks and still don't have a space confirmed - I think I am now 3rd on Sally's waiting list but am not hopeful for place.
 
In the same boat

Hi

Just read your post and am completely in the same boat. I will also be moving to HK mid August at 23 weeks with no 2.
Wondered if you have made any decisions and let me know what you decided.

I am still debating the whole public/private option and wanted to hire a doula however being due in mid Dec may not have services available from Annerley who are possibly in holiday mode. Does anyone know of any private midwifes in HK who act as doulas as well? Timing it seems is everything!

The reason I posted here is I am also living in Tsing Yi so would love to get catch up with you and chat when I arrive.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
 
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