Sanitarium Hospital feedback
- Thread starter Sooney
- Start date
I delivered my second child at Hk Sanatorium (first one at Matilda) and will go there again if I were to have a third.
The maternity wing is newly renovated so it was luxurious. We had a private suite so that may skew things a little. We had such a good rest that we were thinking of staying an extra night.
Hk Sanatorium is quite different from Matilda (we love our experience in Matilda too). If we were first time parents we would have picked Matilda as they encourage you to be very hands-on, so we were changing nappies, feeding, bathing the baby right off the bat. At Sanatorium we did not change nappy once throughout our stay, every time we asked the baby to be brought to us (you can't walk in and wander around the nursery like Matilda, tho I heard Matilda is also not keeping the nursery door open any mire), the baby had been changed.
Matilda encouraged breastfeeding very positively, while Sanatorium was more willing to give the baby formula, with the approval of the parents of course.
Aside from the facilities, both hospitals are very similar, after all we were using the same doctors. Mid wives and nurses were all very good as well.
My only concern before I delivered at Sanatorium was language. Turned out not an issue as the mid wife and nurses could speak English.
If you were a first time parent and wants to learn and be hands on, Matilda will be a better choice. For us with experience, Sanatorium actually offered us a few days of undisturbed good rest if you can believe it.
Some friends are also of the belief that if there is any medical emergency, Sanatorium will also be better equipped than Matilda to handle it, tho we have never tested it.
The reason we chose Sanatorium over Matilda for the birth of our second was that in 2010, Matilda had some staffing issues and there were several days registered patients were turned away when they called to be admitted as there were no rooms available. My obgyn who delivers at Matilda confirmed this, and my friend experienced it!!! She called when her contraction started and they advised her to wait at home cos there were no rooms!!! She and her husband were desperately trying to get another hospital while she was dealing with her contraction. Matilda eventually called and said a room freed up and she could go in but she was too advanced in her labour to get epidural. We didn't want to deal with this stress and wanted to be assured (as much as possible) that when we call the hospital, we can actually be admitted! Sanatorium has a better track record in this respect.
Having said the above, both hospitals are very good!!! You will be happy delivering in either
The maternity wing is newly renovated so it was luxurious. We had a private suite so that may skew things a little. We had such a good rest that we were thinking of staying an extra night.
Hk Sanatorium is quite different from Matilda (we love our experience in Matilda too). If we were first time parents we would have picked Matilda as they encourage you to be very hands-on, so we were changing nappies, feeding, bathing the baby right off the bat. At Sanatorium we did not change nappy once throughout our stay, every time we asked the baby to be brought to us (you can't walk in and wander around the nursery like Matilda, tho I heard Matilda is also not keeping the nursery door open any mire), the baby had been changed.
Matilda encouraged breastfeeding very positively, while Sanatorium was more willing to give the baby formula, with the approval of the parents of course.
Aside from the facilities, both hospitals are very similar, after all we were using the same doctors. Mid wives and nurses were all very good as well.
My only concern before I delivered at Sanatorium was language. Turned out not an issue as the mid wife and nurses could speak English.
If you were a first time parent and wants to learn and be hands on, Matilda will be a better choice. For us with experience, Sanatorium actually offered us a few days of undisturbed good rest if you can believe it.
Some friends are also of the belief that if there is any medical emergency, Sanatorium will also be better equipped than Matilda to handle it, tho we have never tested it.
The reason we chose Sanatorium over Matilda for the birth of our second was that in 2010, Matilda had some staffing issues and there were several days registered patients were turned away when they called to be admitted as there were no rooms available. My obgyn who delivers at Matilda confirmed this, and my friend experienced it!!! She called when her contraction started and they advised her to wait at home cos there were no rooms!!! She and her husband were desperately trying to get another hospital while she was dealing with her contraction. Matilda eventually called and said a room freed up and she could go in but she was too advanced in her labour to get epidural. We didn't want to deal with this stress and wanted to be assured (as much as possible) that when we call the hospital, we can actually be admitted! Sanatorium has a better track record in this respect.
Having said the above, both hospitals are very good!!! You will be happy delivering in either
I delivered our first baby at Sanatorium and would highly recommend the hospital. We were in a semi-private room. A lot of our freinds have been delivering at Matilda - summing up the pros and cons (just our expereince):
1. Sanatorium is very well equipped as a hospital. In terms of staffing, infrastructure and facilities. We found that very comforting.Matilda pitches itself as a boutique luxury hospital. They dont claim to and cant handle more complex issues.
2. Sanatorium had excellent lactation experts. There are a number of nurses whose lacation certificates have been put up in the nursery. They are very pro BF. Though I dont think they push locals / mainland mothers to breast feed; if you want to BF they are very encouranging. By the time I left Sanatorium, I was very settled in my BF routine and that helped in months to come. Matilda though has fewer lactation experts - a couple of my freinds have struggled. Though most have had adequate support. In one case a midwife was the best lactation expert available. I have absolutely nothing against that. But at that price, we expected better.
3. Sanatorium doesnot and wouldnot provide parenting tips - how to bathe our baby, nappy changing etc. That's mostly because they are a much bigger hospital and have many more babies in their nursery at any given point. We didnot have a problem with that but it does make for a good expereince.
4. Langauage was not a issue in either. Mailda ofcourse has better English so to say.
5. We were quite put off by no security at nursery in Matilda. Anyone could walk in and walk out, touch any baby, not wash / clean hands. A couple of times there were no nursing staff around. But as obiwan says that has changed.
Most of our freinds have been happy with their Matilda expereince. It's a very comfortable place to stay. We were looking for more of a "hospital" with comfort so preferred Sanatorium.
1. Sanatorium is very well equipped as a hospital. In terms of staffing, infrastructure and facilities. We found that very comforting.Matilda pitches itself as a boutique luxury hospital. They dont claim to and cant handle more complex issues.
2. Sanatorium had excellent lactation experts. There are a number of nurses whose lacation certificates have been put up in the nursery. They are very pro BF. Though I dont think they push locals / mainland mothers to breast feed; if you want to BF they are very encouranging. By the time I left Sanatorium, I was very settled in my BF routine and that helped in months to come. Matilda though has fewer lactation experts - a couple of my freinds have struggled. Though most have had adequate support. In one case a midwife was the best lactation expert available. I have absolutely nothing against that. But at that price, we expected better.
3. Sanatorium doesnot and wouldnot provide parenting tips - how to bathe our baby, nappy changing etc. That's mostly because they are a much bigger hospital and have many more babies in their nursery at any given point. We didnot have a problem with that but it does make for a good expereince.
4. Langauage was not a issue in either. Mailda ofcourse has better English so to say.
5. We were quite put off by no security at nursery in Matilda. Anyone could walk in and walk out, touch any baby, not wash / clean hands. A couple of times there were no nursing staff around. But as obiwan says that has changed.
Most of our freinds have been happy with their Matilda expereince. It's a very comfortable place to stay. We were looking for more of a "hospital" with comfort so preferred Sanatorium.
On the contrary, we find Sanatorium more comfortable than Matilda. After the renovation, Sanatorium is like a hotel, and we like that the room is bright and cheerful, whilst Matilda is older and darker.
I missed mentioning earlier that I didn't like it that Sanatorium did not provide things like sanitary pads etc. Matilda provided everything, I didn't have to use anything I brought along.
I missed mentioning earlier that I didn't like it that Sanatorium did not provide things like sanitary pads etc. Matilda provided everything, I didn't have to use anything I brought along.
Hi Hazelnut, it depends on the type of rooms, pretty much nothing is provided unless you are in the suite where you will get shower gel, shampoo, slippers etc. So bring your own pads, clothes, underwear (you can purchase the disposable from them as well), toiletries, slippers.
One thing I would like to highlight about Sanatorium. We are not pleased about this so if this is impt to you, you may want to raise it to them in advance.
They gave my baby his bcd shot on his arm (without telling us in advance), if we were informed before the shot was administered (like we did in Matilda), we would have opted for the shot to be given on the hip or sole of the feet. When we saw the scar, it was too late. So heads up if this is impt to you.
They gave my baby his bcd shot on his arm (without telling us in advance), if we were informed before the shot was administered (like we did in Matilda), we would have opted for the shot to be given on the hip or sole of the feet. When we saw the scar, it was too late. So heads up if this is impt to you.
AudreysMom
Registered User
I'm delivering at the Sanatorium in a few weeks. I have a scheduled C-section. After the C-section the operating theatre, how long before you actually receive the baby to being breastfeeding? Obiwan: Any tips for securing a private room? I was told they will not let you know until the day you check in.
Hi AndreysMom, you can have the baby for breastfeeding as early as you want, after the usual cleaning and measurement. You can have the baby room-in with you too. I brought my own pump with me to stimulate milk flow, otherwise they have breastfeeding rooms with equipments in the nursery.
Am afraid, like all the private hospitals, availability of rooms (and types of rooms) are subject to the demand on the day. I forgot the numbers, but they do have a good number of private rooms. You will only know the room type when you check in. Good luck!
Am afraid, like all the private hospitals, availability of rooms (and types of rooms) are subject to the demand on the day. I forgot the numbers, but they do have a good number of private rooms. You will only know the room type when you check in. Good luck!
FutureHKmom
Registered User
About the BCG shot- you can ask your pediatrician to give the shot where you want it. Just let the nurses know when you arrive that you want to discuss placement of shot with the paed before it is given. As for sanitary pads, you can (at least when I was there in 2010 and 2009) purchase at the hospital. I loved the sanitorium, wouldn't go anywhere else. Facilities are great, nurses
FutureHKmom
Registered User
To finish up- nurses and midwives are great. I breastfed both my babies with their help. Can't imagine going anywhere else.
Yes, take your own clothes and toiletries. Pads you can buy at the hospital - it's not priced at a premium (atleast in 2009).
They do give the jab on arm. We didnot even know about the jab on hip / foot etc till I read it on this forum months later. It was not something important to us, but if it is to you - let the staff know when you fill the forms. They are usually respectful of your wishes. I remember the nurse reminding me to mention on the form what kind of meat if at all any I eat; so they dont deliver something wrong by mistake.
Also, if you are planning to give formula or maybe one odd top feed till bf sets in, they will ask you if you have a brand in mind. You can also give them your own formula can. We hadnt.
Just to mention again - though these points seemed important then they look minor when we look back now. We swear by Sanatorium. If we had to spend that amount of money on a delivery in HK again, we would do it only at Sanatorium.
They do give the jab on arm. We didnot even know about the jab on hip / foot etc till I read it on this forum months later. It was not something important to us, but if it is to you - let the staff know when you fill the forms. They are usually respectful of your wishes. I remember the nurse reminding me to mention on the form what kind of meat if at all any I eat; so they dont deliver something wrong by mistake.
Also, if you are planning to give formula or maybe one odd top feed till bf sets in, they will ask you if you have a brand in mind. You can also give them your own formula can. We hadnt.
Just to mention again - though these points seemed important then they look minor when we look back now. We swear by Sanatorium. If we had to spend that amount of money on a delivery in HK again, we would do it only at Sanatorium.
wow thanks for the heads up. I'm surprised they don't even provide toiletries such as shower gel and shampoo. When I stayed at Matilda (not for baby delivery), they had everything (slippers, gowns, shower caps) even in the 4-bed ward rooms.