Moving to Singapore while pregnant

[bunanarama]

Hubby and I have wanted to move to Singapore for a while now and the timing is now right with his job for an internal move. To add to the "excitement" I'm 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We are planning that I will go on mat leave and then make the move when I'm about 30 weeks pregnant. He might go a few weeks earlier to sort an apartment.

I was wondering whether anyone here has done similar and has any tips on when I should be looking for a doctor / hospital for the birth. We're assuming that we will pay ourselves but think we can afford public or private. Would I be able to book in provisionally with a hospital before we have actually moved?

Also if anyone has any tips on good singapore expat forums to join they'd be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi there. Congratulations! Look up Real Singapore Expat Wives and Stork's Nest Singapore groups on Facebook. The former is for expats coming to SG, the latter is focused on pregnant women/new mums. Both will be able to give you lots of advice on the best Hospitals, mum & baby groups, Doctors etc. All the best with your move.

Congratulations! I'm currently pregnant and living in Singapore, so happy to help with any questions... You shouldn't have any problems signing up with a dr/hospital when you get here (care here is normally led by an obstetrician - so the norm is to sign up with dr first, then check with them what hospitals they will/won't deliver at, and make a provisional room booking at that point.) Even if you are paying for yourself, one thing to consider is having health insurance in place for the baby as soon as they are born - you could consider contacting www.expatinsurance.com.sg/medical-insurance for some advice pre-move, or speaking to a global provider like BUPA. You might also want to look at/speak to Mother and Child www.motherandchild.com.sg/ - who offer various classes and support. Hope that's some help!

TBH I'd be very wary about giving birth here uninsured. Any complications could end up very expensive.

Note that pregnancy and birth tends to be obstetrician-led rather than midwife led. Although the Emma Care programme at NUH is midwife-led (I think - you should be able to find some info online).

These links give the average cost of giving birth, but I don't think they include your obstetrician's fees.
www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/hospital-charges/Total-Hospital-Bills-By-condition-procedure/delivery_normal.html
www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/hospital-charges/Total-Hospital-Bills-By-condition-procedure/delivery_caesareansection.html