Rooming-In and I need some advice

kaikosmom,

I had a c-section at United Christian 2 years ago (breech baby) and was very impressed with the level of care I received. I breastfed my baby as soon as I could after the operation (I think it was around 3 hours after) and was insistent on having the baby room in with me. The nurses were great at getting my daughter out of the cot for me and helping to get her latched on, even though they were very busy. It was difficult to breastfeed, as I was in a lot of pain and didn't get out of bed until the day after my surgery. It was very important for me to breastfeed our daughter, so I was stubborn enough to stick with it, in spite of the pain.

I had trouble breastfeeding and asked for lots of help and received it. We even had a lactation consultant come to help us while she was on her rounds with some nursing students.

Although I had a good exerience at UCH, I did feel pressure to feed formula to my baby. Stick to what YOU want and insist on it - it's your baby not the hospitals!

Good luck on the 17th!
 
Thanks, freddiebiscuit and Cara! Very encouraging posts.
I will be admitted on the 16th and surgery on the 17th (2nd c-section [6.5 years gap], 1st time in HK).

Gataloca, I will share my experience as soon as I can.

I've had positive experience with the public system from the registration at the maternal clinic (TKO) to the antenatal care at UCH.

I hope and pray for a healthy baby, complication-free delivery and quick and easy recovery.
 
Hello ladies!

As mentioned above, I was admitted on the 16th and had c-section on the 17th. Overall, I had a very positive birth experience with the system at United Christian Hospital. The post-natal nursing care was excellent although the delivery was not without hitch.

Let me share my experience:

I was wheeled to the operating theatre (~8:30am) alone by choice while my husband waits outside. The anesthetist tried but failed to administer spinal block anesthesia (after 6 tries) as I was still able to lift both my legs after the procedure. So I was given general anesthesia instead (gas). The baby was born at 9:33am. My husband was able to take photos and videos of the baby before being sent to the nursery.

I was transferred to the post-natal ward before lunch. I was in a lot of pain as the regional anesthesia did not work and intra-muscular pain relief is contraindicated with breast feeding. The nurses asked me if I still wanted to BF my baby, I said yes despite the pain. They helped me BF my baby with me lying on my side. This was done every 3~4 hours until the 12th hour (9:30pm) when I was allowed to stand up. A staff wheeled and helped me to the toilet with bidet to teach me how to clean off lochia and change into pyjamas. I was wheeled back to the ward and rested for a few hours before someone woke me up to ask me to go to the nursery to BF my baby. The nurses there will evaluate your BF technique and teach you if necessary. They then asked me if I would like to have my son room-in with me in the morning, and of course I said yes. Being with the baby, somehow, makes you feel like a superwoman! The pain seems to disappear. The whole day, starting at around 8am after breakfast, the baby was with me except during bathing at 2pm. To allow us some rest and sleep (if only you agree), the baby is taken to the nursery at 9pm and back to the ward at 12am. After BFing you take him back to the nursery and process is repeated at 4am. I welcome this routine as the nursery’s temperature is better controlled and allow the baby to sleep better at night and I also feel well rested in the morning.

We were discharged on 22 Feb. It should have been earlier but my baby was jaundiced and needed photo therapy. We paid 700 HKD!
 
Hi there
You can be absolutely confident that the public hospitals in HK are safe, clean places to deliver your baby. The infant mortality rate at birth in HK is very low - it's got to be one of the safest places in the world to give birth. Absolutely on a par with Europe and the US.
The public hospitals all encourage mothers to room-in with their babies and some actually have a policy of skin-to-skin contact after birth which facilitates breastfeeding.
The main difference I think is the 'nice' factor. The food in the private sector will probably be better and the visiting hours may be more flexible.
It is possible to continue to meet with your private OB, to get that personal touch and get your questions answered - but closer to delivery time, switch to a public hospital. Or rather, at the same time, start attending the clinics at the public hospital and do the delivery there.
I think United Christian Hospital is in the same cachement area as Union Hospital? You would have to call up, but I think they have the policy of skin to skin contact.
If you find yourself stuck with Union Hospital, please consider contacting La Leche League before you have the baby. Have a look at: LLL-HK Home Page. You can still breastfeeding DESPITE the hospital experience, but it would be particularly important to know your stuff beforehand.

best wishes
maggie
 
Hi Maggie,
Thanks so much for your informative posting. I will definitely check out the La Leche League. Didn't even know that there was one here in HK. GREAT!
 
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