Where to give birth? Hong Kong or U.S.
- Thread starter airay
- Start date
rani
Administrator
Giving birth in HK can be expensive if you don't have insurance, have a read through this thread on Pregnancy Costs.
http://www.geobaby.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104153
http://www.geobaby.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104153
i think it's really wise of you to be thinking about the safety aspect of the move for your pregnancy. i have moved while pregnant (3 months) and i had a 1 yr 3 month old to care for as well. that was HARD and probably not the best thing for the pregnancy, but i also had other complications which made it worse.
but do you have other kids? and do you have any reason to believe you will have a difficult pregnancy?these would be the 2 big reasons for me to stay put in the US where I have family/friends. i don't think moving to your new home in hong kong would be vastly different from moving to a new home in the US (i have moved while 7 months prego in NYC!), in fact in some ways it could be much easier because the level of service here is so much better-- for one, you can have full time help for not a lot of money. (meaning someone to unpack your stuff, run errands, cook, clean, etc.) also, it is possible to rent a fully furnished flat here or stay in a serviced apartment (maid service, fully furnished) until you are able to make your own home.
the quality of care here is really excellent so you need not worry about that.
i've heard of many people moving overseas while very prego. i think the key is to be mindful that you need to take it easy, set reasonable expectations for what you can accomplish, set prioroties, and make sure your husband appreciates your/your baby's needs! good luck.
but do you have other kids? and do you have any reason to believe you will have a difficult pregnancy?these would be the 2 big reasons for me to stay put in the US where I have family/friends. i don't think moving to your new home in hong kong would be vastly different from moving to a new home in the US (i have moved while 7 months prego in NYC!), in fact in some ways it could be much easier because the level of service here is so much better-- for one, you can have full time help for not a lot of money. (meaning someone to unpack your stuff, run errands, cook, clean, etc.) also, it is possible to rent a fully furnished flat here or stay in a serviced apartment (maid service, fully furnished) until you are able to make your own home.
the quality of care here is really excellent so you need not worry about that.
i've heard of many people moving overseas while very prego. i think the key is to be mindful that you need to take it easy, set reasonable expectations for what you can accomplish, set prioroties, and make sure your husband appreciates your/your baby's needs! good luck.
barbwong_130
Registered User
One idea to take into your planning is that the time after having a baby is a really emotional and intense time. It is a time for bonding and building your relationship with your baby ? not an ideal time to be preoccupied with moving.
I have been very lucky in that I?ve never had to move either while pregnant or with a small baby (although, of course I have had to move). But everyone being healthy I would choose to move while pregnant rather than afterwards.
I have two close friends who were both asked to move shortly after giving birth. The first when the baby would have been only three weeks old. Fortunately her husband was able to make a deal with his boss and delay the move to when the baby was three months. She still found it tough but was just happy it wasn?t earlier.
The second friend moved when her baby was five weeks. She told me that all the stress of moving really affected her milk supply (I guess it affected the let-down reflex as this can be inhibited by stress) rather than the actual amount of milk. She only managed to go back to full breastfeeding when her husband sent her to stay with her mother for a couple of days rather than worrying about the unpacking.
Very best wishes for whatever you decide is best for you,
Barb
I have been very lucky in that I?ve never had to move either while pregnant or with a small baby (although, of course I have had to move). But everyone being healthy I would choose to move while pregnant rather than afterwards.
I have two close friends who were both asked to move shortly after giving birth. The first when the baby would have been only three weeks old. Fortunately her husband was able to make a deal with his boss and delay the move to when the baby was three months. She still found it tough but was just happy it wasn?t earlier.
The second friend moved when her baby was five weeks. She told me that all the stress of moving really affected her milk supply (I guess it affected the let-down reflex as this can be inhibited by stress) rather than the actual amount of milk. She only managed to go back to full breastfeeding when her husband sent her to stay with her mother for a couple of days rather than worrying about the unpacking.
Very best wishes for whatever you decide is best for you,
Barb
Recently Moved to HK
i have recently moved to Hk and am currently pregnant. i have already moved countries a few times, and this time i did it at 4 months pregnant, while holding down a management job and completely on my own as my partner was overseas for business at the time. It can be done.
My best advice is to be organised. If your partner is moving to HK with a job already lined up here often your partners company should pay for your shipment of furniture etc and then put you up in a serviced apartment for a month at least while you look for an apartment (if you are coming as expats and not on a local contract). This should be sufficient time to find something. If there was any place to move to whilst pregnant it would be HK, as the service oriented culture means it is so easy to get things done quickly and efficiently.
Hk is a very safe place with excellent medical facilities, though they can be costly. You can find all the comforts of home in the US, from food to brands you know etc, whilst enjoying things like domestic help to make life easier. I would highly recommend making the move earlier rather than later, and if it makes you feel better you can gain lots of information prior to your move from websites such as this one and other HK based expat websites.
good luck!
i have recently moved to Hk and am currently pregnant. i have already moved countries a few times, and this time i did it at 4 months pregnant, while holding down a management job and completely on my own as my partner was overseas for business at the time. It can be done.
My best advice is to be organised. If your partner is moving to HK with a job already lined up here often your partners company should pay for your shipment of furniture etc and then put you up in a serviced apartment for a month at least while you look for an apartment (if you are coming as expats and not on a local contract). This should be sufficient time to find something. If there was any place to move to whilst pregnant it would be HK, as the service oriented culture means it is so easy to get things done quickly and efficiently.
Hk is a very safe place with excellent medical facilities, though they can be costly. You can find all the comforts of home in the US, from food to brands you know etc, whilst enjoying things like domestic help to make life easier. I would highly recommend making the move earlier rather than later, and if it makes you feel better you can gain lots of information prior to your move from websites such as this one and other HK based expat websites.
good luck!
rani
Administrator
We moved flats when I was 7 months pregnant. It was stressful dealing with the contractor, looking for tiles, kitchen, getting curtains etc. I made quick decisions. By the time we moved I was exhausted, so I hired a couple of part-time helpers to help me unpack. The last few weeks I relaxed and just focused on getting the nursery ready.
I'd have to agree with the other moms, and move before the baby is born. Once Dhruv arrived we were constantly nursing and I couldn't get anything done!
Rani
I'd have to agree with the other moms, and move before the baby is born. Once Dhruv arrived we were constantly nursing and I couldn't get anything done!
Rani
Hi Airay,
Just managed to get back on the site. If it's any help I moved to Hong Kong when I was 6 months pregnant and had a 18 month old as well. Yes it was tricky as is moving to anywhere new. The Geobaby website was a real help and once I'd found my doctor I felt alot happier. This didn't take very long by the way. The point about the medical insurance is well made. Our insurance company was fantastic and took alot of the worry out of the birth.
Good luck with your decision, it was the best one we ever made
Jools
Just managed to get back on the site. If it's any help I moved to Hong Kong when I was 6 months pregnant and had a 18 month old as well. Yes it was tricky as is moving to anywhere new. The Geobaby website was a real help and once I'd found my doctor I felt alot happier. This didn't take very long by the way. The point about the medical insurance is well made. Our insurance company was fantastic and took alot of the worry out of the birth.
Good luck with your decision, it was the best one we ever made
Jools
you are very helpful
Sorry not reply for several days.
I had flu and feel very downcast these days. I just came back from my doctor and was told the baby is only 3mm, a little bit smaller than it supposed to be. Moms always feel bad when they are sick while carrying baby.
Sorry not reply for several days.
I had flu and feel very downcast these days. I just came back from my doctor and was told the baby is only 3mm, a little bit smaller than it supposed to be. Moms always feel bad when they are sick while carrying baby.
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