Natural Active Labour in HK

E

erialcisland

New member
Hi everyone!

We are six weeks pregnant with baby no. 2. Baby no. 1 was born in Australia at a public hospital there. I had mostly midwife care throughout the pregnancy and delivered without pain relief (didn't feel the need as I dealt with pain through being active - moving around, sitting on a gym ball, showering, bathing, massage etc.) and without an ob present.

I would like my second experience of childbirth to be similar (I know we don't have total control of these things) but after my first visit at my local MCHC I was laughed at by the nurses and doctors that I would want to (a) see a hospital before I decide to give birth there and (b) that I would want to be active in my labour (ie not be put straight into bed and be monitored the whole time). The doctor I saw said it is standard practice to give bed rest during labour in HK.

Can anyone share with me their experience of labour in HK where it was active like I have shared? We would go public if it meant that we could write our birth plan - but it seems they are very inflexible and sterile environments too. Matilda looks great and sounds great on their website but I am totally freaked out at the costs - we have no medical cover for pregnancy. If we have to then I will pay for getting the labour that I would like though.

Thanks heaps!
 
Well I thought that they encouraged you to see the hospital first. I know QMH has hospital tours every Saturday at noon.

But yes, going public, they do prefer you to be in bed the whole time. They don't like you walking around the ward. That was one of the reasons that I tried to labor at home as long as I could before heading in, and when I got there it was only an hour or two before I got an epidural and had to stay in bed anyway.
 
I delivered last October at QMH.

I spent the early part of labour at home where I could be completely comfortable.
I was about 8cm by the time I was in the labour suite at QMH.

I had no drugs and the staff were fine with me having an Active labour. They were quite encouraging as I tried standing, hands and knees etc to find what was most comfortable.
They had my birth plan ahead of time and respected all my wishes.

I saw an ob for about 10 mins when I first arrived, after that I was attended by midwives who were brilliant.

I would do it exactly the same way next time.

I did the tour of QMH when I was pregnant, but found that it wasn't a great indication of how good the staff and hospital actually are.
On the tour I was told 'no you can't do things that way' a lot, but on the day it was all fine.
I think giving them a birth plan ahead of time helps.
If you want to use a birth ball, but don't want to do their antenatal classes (which are quite useless) you can get a letter from a private midwife to say that you've covered birthballs in a private class.

Basically, everything is possible at QMH, some of it just needs a bit of planning.
 
If you don't have any medical cover, you would not want to go to the Matilda.

One option if going public (or private) is to have a midwife/doula at home until the last minute, then transfer to the hospital. One midwife who offers this service is Hulda from Annerley Midwifes.

http://www.annerley.com.hk/

She is the one to speak to about active/natural birth in HK.
 
Matty, when exactly did you give them your birth plan? I never found a good opportunity...
 
Well unfortunately we're in Lantau Island so I don't think I will be able to stay at home until I am 8cm... I might have the baby on the MTR or a Bus!!

I've looked into Annerley and may use some of their services - maybe I need to look into homebirth?

Aaah so stressed!!!!!!!!
 
ctrbabe1, I gave them my birth plan around 28weeks.
Tell them you need to have something added to your file. You may have to wait a little longer, but I found the Dr was happy to go through it with me.
 
Matty said:
I did the tour of QMH when I was pregnant, but found that it wasn't a great indication of how good the staff and hospital actually are.
On the tour I was told 'no you can't do things that way' a lot, but on the day it was all fine.
QUOTE]

You see, If I was told on the tour that I couldn't do it then I wouldn't want to book in there. I am trying to work out the best way I can do this. Is there an Ob that someone can recommend who'd support active labour?
Click to expand...
 
Hi, I had my first baby at the Queen Elizabeth and it was a pretty bad experience. I found the staff to be rigid and detached. They got annoyed when I grunted from the pain and kept yelling at me to hold it in so I'd have energy to push. I was also in bed the whole time and even when it was time to push I had to lie flat, which I heard increases chances of tearing. PLUS in my birthplan I said no episiotomy but they took litberties and snipped away which really wasn't necessary as my baby was tiny, only 2.2kg which is less than 5 pounds!
They gave me a birthplan form for me to fill out but I don't know how serious they were about respecting my wishes... within reason and safety of course. Maybe I'll try giving them one of my own this time. I am hoping that perhaps the bad experience was simply due to my particular case as. HAs anyone given birth at the QEH? How was it? I am nervous about it and am desperately trying to get my hands on a copy of Hypnobirthing by Marie F. Mongan in the next few days because I am already 37 weeks along. I heard about the book way too late. Help!
 
You need to talk to Louise at Annerley Midwives. She runs a course on hypnobirthing which my friend did. She delivered at the Queen Mary and because she didn't appear to be in any pain because she was using the techniques, she was left pretty much alone, until she was well into her labour. I also think that basically it's the case of standing up for your rights-your husband might need to be the stroppy one as you probably won't be in any fit state.
Another option you may wish to consider is returning to Australia-I don't know if that's possible but a couple of friends of mine went home to give birth and then came back later.
If you go private then you are in a greater position to get the birth you want as obviously you're paying for it; but I do know of lots of people who have given birth in the public system and been happy with their experience. The doctors and nurses tend to want to stick to their routines, but there are usually ways around this.
 
I just called Mrs. Chee at Everdawn today. She says that the QEH has midwives there who will respect their patient's wishes. She says that I should request to have their midwives deliver me and as long as I am under their care, they run the show and not the OB. Unless something goes wrong and there are complications the OB doesn't intervene.
 
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