More advice about Hospitals

[LeahH]

hmmmm, now I think about it the lack of deposit may be because of our insurance. We ended up paying maybe $5,000 in extras on departure, but the main bill was settled after the birth by the insurance company. Perhaps if they are aware you have full cover, they don't require a deposit.

Kudos to you MLBW for the totally natural birth!!

 

[MLBW]

Hi Leah--Yes, that sounds like it was probably because you had maternity insurance that covered your costs. I'm having another discussion on a thread here at this Forum about maternity insurance. Basically, what we've found--and it seems to be confirmed that unless one has access through group insurance through their employer (or spouse's employer) in HK it is pretty unaffordable to buy individual insurance that offers maternity coverage--the main insurance companies we've consulted with charge a premium that is at or above the actual costs of paying out of pocket for maternity care--that's an annual premium with restrictions as well. My husband works for a small, local, family business in HK and so therefore we don't have access to the type of insurance that many foreigners enjoy. So in our case, giving birth in a private hospital (that would condone natural childbirth more likely than a public hospital) seems to still be a no-go. Too bad--guess if we have another it will be back to my home country again for me. :0(

 

[pooch]

MLBW - Another poster on this forum, Matty, has had 2 drug-free natural births in public hospitals in HK. One at QMH and the other at POW I am sure if you search through a few threads you will find her postings about the experiences she had - - both very positive from what i understand.
Or PM her with more specific questions about fetal monitoring etc

 

[MLBW]

MLBW - Another poster on this forum, Matty, has had 2 drug-free natural births in public hospitals in HK. One at QMH and the other at POW I am sure if you search through a few threads you will find her postings about the experiences she had - - both very positive from what i understand.
Or PM her with more specific questions about fetal monitoring etc

Thanks Aussie Mum,

Not only did I have a drug-free birth. I had a husband-coached childbirth so that is what my aim is. It is very important to me that my husband and mother (or whoever else I deem appropriate) be allowed to attend and take a somewhat active part in the birth. As I had a very long birth, my concern is that I would be given undue pressure to either augment labor with pitocin or in another way compromise my wishes. Even in my home country which views natural labor in a pretty favorable light, I still had to fight a little bit of opposition to get what I wanted and was convicted was best for me and my child. Thank you again and I will contact the person you mentioned.

 

[Matty]

Hi MLBW,

Yes, both of my births in HK were very positive experiences.
I Hypnobirthed both times, and had hubby very involved an with me the whole time.
The hospitals (QMH and POW) basically let us do our thing until it was time to push, then the midwife stepped in to help.

I've replied to your PM in more detail.

 

[MLBW]

Awesome, Matty! Thanks for your response. Good on you!