Private scan in Central - costs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter katef
  • Start date Start date
K

katef

Guest
Hi!

I'm new here so would welcome some advice from you seasoned Geobaby people!

I've avidly read the threads on private obstetricians, as well as the Geobaby list and there's loads of great recommendations, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some specific referrals?

I am looking for a private obstetrician in Central or Western district for a scan at around 8 weeks (I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant - just found out this week!)

I'll be going through the public system for most of my antenatal care via Tsan Yuk hospital, but would like at least one earlier scan, otherwise it's such a long time to wait until 20 weeks! To complicate things further I'm not actually going to be giving birth in HK as we're relocating although I guess this won't really make a difference?

My question is - as we're paying out of pocket, which doctor do you think provides the best combination of service and price? I've seen costs varying from $700-$1800 quoted here for scans and although price isn't everything, would like to make sure I'm not paying over the odds IYSWIM? I'm less concerned about nice surroundings or a long wait, and more about the amount of time the doctor spends with you answering questions once you're there.

Also, is there anything specific that you would say is a 'must-ask', either at the scan, or at my first public appointment at 12 weeks? As you can tell, I'm totally clueless and will very much welcome having everything spelled out to me as though I'm a complete idiot (please!)

Very excited, although my only experience with babies to date was once being one myself...

Thank you in advance for your help and sorry if these questions are beyond obvious!
 
I went to Dr. Doo for my checkups. He charge $1900 in total. $1000 for scan and $900 consultation fee. I have waited a while for my appointment but never felt rushed once I was in the room with him. He explains everything during scan and also explains the reason for any tests he would like to perform (blood tests etc).I felt comfortable refusing test that he thought I should have but that I did not feel I needed and, again, he was fine with this and did not put any pressure on me (the test was the one for downs syndrome)

I was also not delivering with him and he was fine with this so it would not be an issue there that you are not delivering in HK.

Good luck with your pregnancy.
 
I would probably skip the scan at 8 weeks and just do one at 12 weeks where you ll get the OSCAR test (down syndrome)
I went public but did all my scans with Dr Lam. He s one of the best for scan and amnio in HK.He told me the sex at 12 weeks for my 3 kids and was right. I think he charges $1500 if I remember correctly.
Address:
Unit 3102, 31/ F
Henley Building
5 Queen's Road Central
Hong Kong
地址 :
香港皇后大道中
5號衡怡大廈
31樓3102室

電話 : 2877 3280
傳真 : 2523 8971
電郵 : [email protected]
www.hkpdc.com
www.hkpdc.net
 
If you are just going to get some scan and are paying out of you pocket, you may consider going to St Paul Hospital. I went there few years ago, and the cost was around HKD 500-600 for the consultation and scan..
 
Thanks all!
That's really useful information so far.
Guess I need to find out more about the tests required - I didn't realise that the Downs test was recommended as standard procedure? Assuming that they don't do this as part of the 12 week check up in the public system?

Also, silly question, but do the doctors automatically tell you the sex of the baby / write it on your notes? We haven't yet decided if we want to find out and want to be able to keep it a surprise if we decide not to!

Thank you - I think this forum is going to be really useful in the weeks to come for all my silly questions.
 
Mine asked me if I wanted to know before he told me, and subsequently they have asked at each scan whether I know/want to know. Not written on my notes.

They do the Downs test in the public system. It may be only standard if you are over 35 though. There seem to be a lot of things they do when you are over 35 - clearly on your last legs at that age...
 
Ah, I see. Thanks for that - good to know!

I'm 30, but just want to be sure that I'm getting all the right tests, etc. It seems that there's a lot of choice and I'm not really used to having to make decisions about tests, treatments, etc. Coming from the UK, the NHS seems to offer a more or less standard prescribed service to everyone although this may just be my perception. Too much responsibility - I'm scared of getting it wrong!

So many of the mums I'm friends with are 35+ and it really seems things have changed for the better! My mother was 28 when she had me and was the oldest first time mum that the nurses had seen at that time - seems almost unbelieveable now!
 
I was just kidding. I'm 35. I just found it amusing because I was 34 when I got pregnant and when people realised I was going to be 35 when I delivered it was funny how the perceived risk factors changed.
 
I think Dr Lam's office has moved to St George's Building. Better call to confirm the address if you are interested.
 
St Georges Bldg is the old address for Dr Lam. I also think that he is extremely good for scans and I had both my 12 week scans (and blood tests) done by him. But I am now 37 so considered ancient! (Actually the statistics for Downs Sydrome do change pretty dramatically in your mid/late thirties and forties.)
 
Thanks again for all the info so far! It's really helpful to hear some real life experiences and I can't ask any of my mum friends here just yet (although bursting to tell someone!)

I'm now thinking of having a first scan at 11-13 weeks instead of 8 but still unsure if this is the best course of action.

Are there any questions that you would recommend asking at the first scan or questions that you didn't ask at the time but regretted later?
 
hi I think it s a good idea to wait for 12 weeks. the scans you ll get at 8 weeks lets say will really be short and the only thing you ll see really is the little heart beat flashing. I know it can be reassuring to see it but considering the prices here you can wait another 4 weeks. (Or you can see 2 heart beats and that s really freaky!!!!!!! my second pregnancy was twins)

Another option depending on when you ll be relocating is (considering it s your first pregnancy and you re young) to have the scans done by a gyno and the antenatal by a G.P until you relocate. I mean if you're low risk a GP can easily follow you until 6 month. As long as they have a doppler in their office you ll be fine.
I did that for my first I had a good relationship with my female GP. she just put my visits down as back ache or whatever as my insurance didn't cover maternity. Then at around 6/7 month I switched to the public. But if you relocate before that you won t even have to go to tsan yuk.
 
I relocate at around 20 weeks, at which point I will have to dig very deeply into my pockets as we're moving to China and no antenatal care is covered by our insurer (although thankfully the birth is.)

Interesting idea about sticking with the GP for the time being - although she was the one who recommended I go to Tsan Yuk. I'll give her a call for a bit of clarification.
 
Dr Lam is definitely my choice - he's professional and extremely good with his scans. I'm 34 and as I was close to the "35" mark I was encouraged to do the down syndrome test by my 1st doctor at QM - though when I went to Dr Lam for the test, he said initial readings indicated that the down syndrome test was absolutely unnecessary since there were no signs from what he saw from - he would do it if I really wanted to, but why waste the money when it's not required he said - thought that was quite amazing!

His cost is $1500 - 600 for consulation, 800 for scan. waiting time is about 30mins..but I've been lucky most times, I've only had 15mins waits - but my friends insist it's pure luck! 30mins is about right.
 
If you're on the Central side, I saw Dr. Eric Lee in Prince's Building. He charges HK$1000 for consultation and scan. I liked him because he's very patient and answers all questions. Because of that, sometimes the wait is long at his clinic. I always waited half an hour at least. (I have now switched to a doctor in Tseung Kwan O because I live and work in Kowloon). I'll be delivering public.

You could also consider doing scans with the midwives at Annerley for HK$350.

The Down's Syndrome test in the public system is free only for over 35s. If you're less than 35, you can calll and book and appointment yourself but have to pay. There's a specific timeframe they recommend doing it (I think between 11-14 weeks). It was HK$13,000 and pretty thorough. If you google OSCAR test you should find the link to the government hospital booking line.
 
HK$13K! Wow! That's steep! I had no idea the tests were that much.

Thank you for the tip on Dr Lee and on Annerley - I've heard very positive things about them.
 
Charade, that $13k must be a typo no?

katef, I am in the public system but had my initial blood tests and the Oscar test either through my GP or privately and it wouldn't have cost anywhere near that much. Can't remember off the top of my head exactly how much it was but it wasn't anything like that.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top