Queen Mary Hospital Question URGENT question..

Oh god the horror stories do freak me out so much - you are right Aussiemum to go in with low expectations and hope for the best. To be honest the health care in the UK is so terrible now I imagine here will be much better and I have heard many great stories from mums who had a brilliant experience out here,

I am going to just keep my expectations low and hope for the best, worrying will not help at all and so I will just go to QMH and hope for the best.

Thank you all for your threads- I really appreciate all of your responses and everything you are telling me really helps...
 
Kharel,

I am in exactly the same boat as you. Remember, fear and worry are your two biggest enemies when you are in labour. You will be in the best hands, medically speaking.

Your husband will play a crucial role in making sure you are comfortable and your needs and wishes are met. He needs to know that he must be firm and insistant with the hospital staff, and ask questions on your behalf if necessary. Don't take no for an answer!

There are horror stories for every hospital, every system. You are much more likely to hear people complain than praise, it's human nature....

Best of luck for a smooth journey :flower:
 
Hi All,

After reading some of these posts and talking with women out and about in Hong Kong, I feel if you don't give birth at Matilda or one of the other private hospitals you have to offer an "excuse."

I gave birth to my first in September at QMH and am expecting my second in December and will most certainly go back to QMH. I arrived at the hospital at noon after my water broke and my daughter was born a few hours later at 16:52. The dr's assessed me quickly and realized the cord was wrapped around my daughter's neck so they performed an emerg c-sec and even allowed my husband in the room for the surgery! Both my dauther and I checked out 49 hours from when I first arrived... and believe me... I just prefered to be at home with my hubby but found nothing wrong with the hospital. My hubby was allowed to visit 2X a day (but I believe that has changed) and at first I was concerned it would not be enough, but I, like the other mother's there, probably appreciated the quiet and caught up on our sleep.

Again, it's your body and you know what is right for you. I have met others who didn't have good experiences at QMH but the majority did. I was frustrated during my appointments leading up to the birth b/c I felt more like a "number" than a patient, but all my worries were put to rest once I gave birth.

All the best... and do what's best for you and your family!

Canucker
 
Hi All,

I'm new to geobaby, but a long term HK resident. I am due to deliver our first child in two weeks and am booked into the Prince of Wales in Shatin as we live in Sai Kung. I completely understand all the concerns as I am more than a little worried about what my experience will be.

However, I have been told that the best thing to be is polite but firm and to ensure that they are aware of your expectations, by taking a clear birth plan with you.

Prince of Wales have been great at reassuring me and even let me tour the delivery suite (which they don't normally do, even though QM does). I agree that the antenatal ward is not pleasant and will be avoiding going to hospital until the last minute if possible! We are doing the Doula service with Annerley to try to ensure this happens.

I am concerned about the care afterwards, what will be 'done' to my baby and how much time my husband will actually be allowed to be with us. So it is also my goal to get home as soon as possible. But at the end of the day, as long as baby arrives safely and is healthy that is all that matters. So I keep telling myself that this is a very small part of the process in the grand scheme of things. I guess try to stay positive and keep your expectations low.

For what it's worth, I was very ill last year and in Tseung Kwan O hospital for 3 months - overall the care was very good, but I did have to fight to read my hospital notes and for the doctors to spend time talking to me about my condition. They are not used to having to explain anything they are doing as it is not in their culture. However, they did accommodate me whilst I was there and I have made a full recovery. It is not an experience I would like to repeat but I feel less frightened about government hospitals as a result.

The food is terrible so take what you can with you!
 
I agree that the key is to be polite but firm.....this is a skill my husband has to perfection (I am more likely to get angry and start shouting!!) and it worked on the nurses at QMH....to the point that my Mum was allowed into the delivery room, while my husband went hme to get some sleep (I didn't deliver in the end, was possible beginnings of preterm labour but they kept me in delivery rm whole time).

It also worked when I wanted to go hme a day or two b4 the drs wanted me to....I started shouting which didn't wrk...husband was polite but firm and hey presto I was allowed hme.

Service isn't great but should there be any kind of emergency- a govt. hospital is where you want to be....something my private obstetrician has admitted to me on several occasions.
 
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