Worried mum to be

S

Smallcat

New member
Hi everyone

I moved to HK with my fianc?e about 8 weeks ago and last week (to my surprise!) I found out that I was 20 weeks pregnant.

Having got over the initial shock and excitement we are now starting to think about the practicalities of living with a baby here. There are a number of things I'm worried about including:
  • Air pollution
  • Getting around
  • Health care

I live on HK island and there is no way I will be walking around with a pram! Surely there is only so much you can carry with nappy bags and a baby that's getting heavier by the day!

Does anyone have any experiences of coping with a new baby and can help ease some of my worries!

Thanks
 
many people use a pram in hk... it's not the easiest but it is possible, and once baby hits about 15lbs, that is all there is to do. before that time, most people use a baby carrier. if you breast feed, you only need to carry a couple of nappies and some wipes. not too much. if you bottle feed, then you need a lot more stuff!
 
Hi Smallcat,

I feel your concern I'm currently 24 weeks! I was worried about the exact same thing... thinking about pollution especially.
Try not to stress yourself out, it seems there are far worse places to be bringing up a child in the world consider yourself lucky to be living somewhere where healthcare is excellent! (Especially the public system)

Getting around seems stressful yes I agree with you 100000% but I imagine when the baby is born you wont want to be taking him/her everywhere within the first few months.. then when the baby is a little bigger you can use a baby carry that straps onto you (which is ideal for hong kong life!).

Congrats!! :)
 
And it is easier to get a place nor even at private hospital

Baby carrier is useful and my baby is now 18lb and I still can manage to carry her using the basic babybjorn for up to 15min then after a break can carry her for another 10min and I am 98lb and 5'1", you can invest in a better carrier if you don't want to use a stroller most of the time.... And there are lighter weight and smaller stroller also you can get which makes going to places alone with your baby easier

Good luck and enjoy!!!
 
Hi Smallcat, don't be worried. I found getting around tough at first (I'm in Pok Fu Lam, so only buses from here), but you will work out what is best for you :)

I think the thing I found most useful was the Geobaby Due Date forums, if you can get a group together to meet up, it's a great way to share your experiences, find a OBGYN / hospital, or have a general moan about the pollution! I found some of my best friends here in Hong Kong that way and we still arrange playdates for the kids.

Good luck, you will be fine.

GFM x
 
Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm living in Sheung Wan so registered with Queen Mary.

I'm sure it will all work out ok in the end! Just dreading being 8 months pregnant in the middle of HK summer!!
 
Dear Smallcat,

There is nothing much you can do about it, but I am not discouraging you, having a baby is a wonderful thing however having a baby in HK is tough. So people with infants normally don't go out often or prefer to go in places nearby. If you have a helper its much easier for you. In my case, I usually get around with a pram but I always had a problem in MTR stations, some doesn't have an access for prams and you will find it are narrower, so you need to get the baby out from the pram for you get to through. And also their lift sometimes is not on the street level so you still need to go in staircase or an escalator. I always bring my hubby with me so I have someone to help me especially in the staircases, I am also a petite woman so its much harder for me. If I am alone, I usually bring a backpack so I can put all my baby's essentials there and I got a free hand to move with the baby in a sling. I'm sure you'll get along. Regarding the hospital, we find public is practical and I recommend it. Not only its cheap but their services is quite good once you get in the system.

I hope you enjoy your pregnancy! Cheers!
 
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We use a pram and have had no issues with the mtr - most have lifts, and you learn quickly which don't. But if you're going to be using buses it's more difficult.
 
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