Having a baby in Hong Kong

Having a baby in Hong Kong: picking a hospital

Choose a hospital/birth center. Hong Kong has several public and private hospitals and birth centers that offer maternity services. It is important that you research and compare the facilities and services offered by each hospital or birth center to find the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Some hospitals and birth centers offer private rooms, while others have shared rooms. It is also worth considering the location of the hospital or birth center and whether it is convenient for you and your partner to get to.

There are several reputable maternity hospitals in Hong Kong that are known for their high-quality care and services for pregnant women and newborns. Some of the top maternity hospitals in Hong Kong include:

• Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital offers both excellent obstetric and neonatal care, and is equipped with a modern delivery suite and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
• Matilda International Hospital has a dedicated obstetrics and gynecology department and offers a range of childbirth options: natural childbirth, water birth as well as epidural anesthesia.
• Hong Kong Baptist Hospital has a well-respected obstetrics and gynecology department and offers a range of services for pregnant women, including prenatal care, childbirth classes, and lactation support.
• Union Hospital has a large obstetrics and gynecology department and a modern delivery suite. It also has a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for newborns with serious conditions.
• Hong Kong Adventist Hospital has a specialized obstetrics and gynecology department and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for newborns who require special care. It also offers a range of childbirth options, including natural childbirth, water birth, and epidural anesthesia.

There are a number of factors that may go into your choice of hospital for childbirth and postnatal care. Make sure to consult your health insurance provider about available options and check local forums for recommendations and advice.

You should also check with the hospital you are considering about the birthing options they support. Some hospitals support only natural births (with or without epidural) and C-sections - while others offer more options, such as water births.

It is important to discuss your preferences with your healthcare provider and consider your options carefully.

Read also Healthcare in Hong Kong

Having a baby in Hong Kong: prenatal and post-natal care

Prenatal care is important to ensure the health and well-being of both you and your baby. Prenatal care includes regular check-ups with a doctor or midwife, as well as tests and screenings to monitor the development of your baby.

The level of prenatal care in Hong Kong is generally very good ? and there is a wide range of options available. You can choose to see a doctor or midwife at a hospital, a private clinic, or a community health center.

Some expats in Hong Kong opt to have private prenatal care, which can be more expensive but may offer more personalized care and support. You can check if prenatal care may be part of your health insurance plan.

Post-natal care includes the care you receive at the hospital after you've given birth. This includes recovery time, regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, breastfeeding consultations and support, etc. After you are discharged from the hospital, you may choose to have post-natal care at home or at a post-natal care center. Post-natal care may also include physical and emotional support, as well as guidance on caring for your newborn.

The extent of prenatal and post-natal care you may receive depends on the services included in your birthing package and covered under your insurance plan.

Having a baby in Hong Kong: private or public hospital?

If you are a resident of Hong Kong and have a Hong Kong ID, you qualify for public healthcare. Having a baby in a public hospital in Hong Kong is generally very inexpensive. You can expect to pay around HK$400 (or even less) in room fees administrative fees (typically under HK$100). An interesting thing is that you can pay for these services using your Hong Kong Octopus card.

Note that if you don't have a Hong Kong ID, the costs of your delivery in a public hospital will be substantially higher.

Pros and cons of having a baby in a public hospital in Hong Kong

The pros of having a baby in a public hospital in Hong Kong are as follows:

• It's easily available (if you have a Hong Kong ID) and affordable.
• The rates for natural and C-section births are substantially lower compared to private hospitals.
• The quality of care in public hospitals is very high, and they are well-equipped to handle emergencies.

Naturally, there are also quite a few cons to having a baby in a public hospital:

• You will have less choice in a public hospital compared to a private one. This includes both the choice of language (most doctors speak Cantonese), and birthing plans (not all hospitals are flexible when it comes to water births, births without epidural anesthesia, etc.)
• Following COVID-19, there are still certain limitations in place when it comes to allowing relatives in delivery rooms.
• Public hospitals offer less privacy compared to private hospitals.

Here are some of the top-rated public hospitals in Hong Kong:

• Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital (GHK)
• Queen Mary Hospital
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Prince of Wales Hospital
• Princess Margaret Hospital

Having a baby in Hong Kong: costs

As we've mentioned above, the most budget-friendly way of having a baby in Hong Kong is using a public hospital, where your basic costs start at about HK$500. However, if you don't have a Hong Kong ID, you will be paying much more in a public hospital. For example, a standard birth with prenatal care can cost up to HK$40,000 in a public hospital.

While public hospitals offer a high level of medical care, most expats do prefer to give birth in private hospitals. This is because private hospitals offer more privacy, flexibility, shorter waiting times, and more. In fact, a stay in some private hospitals in Hong Kong can be quite similar to that of a stay in a luxury hotel: with private rooms, sea views and full-course meals.

The cost of having a baby in a private hospital for a normal birth starts at about HK$100,000 and can go up to HK$250,000 for emergency deliveries.

Having a baby in Hong Kong: parenting support

Raising a child in a foreign country can be both rewarding and challenging. And it's always a good idea to have the support of fellow parents and friends. Here are some resources you may find useful:

• Hong Kong Parents (Facebook group)
• Parent Support Network
• Integrated Family Services
• Parents Groups in Hong Kong (MeetUp)

In summary, having a baby in Hong Kong as an expat can be a smooth and rewarding experience with the right preparation and support. It is important to research your options, choose a hospital or birth center that meets your needs, and seek out prenatal and post-natal care that is right for you. With the right resources and support, you can have a healthy and happy pregnancy and childbirth experience in Hong Kong.