Move to Singapore and pregnant?

[Esssss]

Looking for some advice/others experiences. Dh has a job interview in Singapore and has a good chance of getting it. In theory we would be well up for the move as its a great opportunity for him and could be a great adventure for us. However a major stumbling block may be that I am pregnant with my 2nd (ds is not yet 2), due in January and if dh got the job he would need to start before the end of the year.
So, from doing a bit of research, I don't think my pregnancy would be covered by medical insurance as its a "pre existing condition". How expensive is paying for private maternity services. Has anyone been in a similar situation?
I'm quite nervous about the idea of looking after a two year old and a newborn without family or friends nearby. Is it easy and relatively cheap to get help ie nanny/childminder etc.
I'd love to hear about others experiences! Thanks

Hi. I don't know about hiring breast pumps but you could ask the hospitals or, more likely, email Mother and Child at Tanglin Mall (which is a bit like an expat well baby clinic/health visitor service but you pay for it).
On the buggy, I used the Bugaboo Bee (chameleon was too big here to fold etc) and that was great. I see lots of Stokke ones too. Either would be fine but make sure you can fold it one handed if you're going to use the bus, and a good size basket underneath is good for grocery shopping (assuming you can walk to the shops). If you're going to get a maxi cost type car seat it's a good idea to get some towelling summer covers for it and also to get a sun/UV protection/breathable hood/cover for your buggy (I know the Bee has this but I don't know about the Stokke).

I moved to Singapore 6 months pg and with a 3 yo. I used a bugaboo bee, ordered int he UK and shipped with air freight. Baby stuff is expensive in Singapore, get what you can in the UK and ship it. Remember that malls, shops and supermarkets are freezing so you'll need to take socks and blankets, but babies are very adaptable and mine were fine in the heat. When dd2 was born they put her under a heat lamp, swaddled and under blankets. Told me that she had come from my body temperature and not keeping her warm would be a shock..... She's nearly 7 now so I guess there's no harm....

For walking outside, sun covers, little clip on fans (these are everywhere in Singapore) and just a short babygro or vest for baby. I delivered at Thomson medical centre, my obgyn was dr Paul Tseng, very popular with expats for his non medicalised approach, they had a huge range of breast pumps, lactation consultant etc and I know mother and child rents them too, they have breastfeeding cafe sessions at m&c etc. The lack of hv / mw system as we know it in the UK means that here is a huge variety of independent support for new mums.

Mumonthemove, I researched dr Tseng from the UK and called his office before I moved. I booked my first appointment with him for the week I arrived, scanned and emailed him my mw notes in advance. Worked well. He also has (like all consultants) an ultrasound machine in his office so for S$ 50 I could have a scan every visit if I wanted. It was lovely seeing baby moving around as soon as I arrived in Singapore.

Thank you, lovely ladies! Getting a doctor's appointment will be the first thing in my list. I'll look for a buggy on the basis that it needs to fold, I guess getting on a bus with a full on stroller is an abs no-no..
Another question to pick your brains please: are we daft to want to take our large kitchen appliances with us such as fridge freezer, cooker, dishwasher etc? we bought them recently and they are very good quality brands so I'm loathe to get rid of them on eBay or similar method. I hear the electricity current in SG is the same as in the UK with the same sockets. Have any if you taken your large kitchen appliances with you and regretted doing so (or conversely were met with a sign of approval?) thanks. Is accommodation always offered with these when it says furnished/unfurnished? X

Mumonthemove the Baby Zen Yoyo stroller is very popular because it's light and easy to fold one handed. (I've seen it done at a bus stop and was amazed!) I don't know if they're suitable from newborn though.

I wouldn't bring those appliances. Most places are rented 'semi-furnished' and this includes fridge/freezer, washer and dryer. Kitchens will have a built in hob, but may not have a built in oven. You can negotiate to get one put in though. But there probably won't be room in the kitchen to accommodate a cooker unit.

That said, if you have a large rental budget and are leaning towards a house rather than a condo, you might be in need of them. For some reason the more expensive a property is, the less seems to be included.