Hello there! I am thinking about getting a 2nd opinion of my pregnancy by using the public healthcare system.
I know there is a screening (with ultrasound and blood test) for Down Syndrome babies at 11-13 weeks. Does Tsan Yuk clinic offer this? Or do they wait till much later to test for Downs? If so, when will they do the test and what would be involved?
Thanks for your advice!!
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Tsan Yuk does offer this - I think it's not quite 11-13 weeks, but rather 12-14 if I remember correctly. They will do the scan and the blood tests and results come to you after about a week.
At Tsan Yuk, when I had my baby, this was offered for FREE as it was part of their research. You will have to register at Tsan Yuk on either a Wednesday or Saturday and get set up that way. That part can be a bit overwhelming, but I had my baby all the way with the public health system and loved it. I loved my midwives and the whole pregnancy delivery and everything was under $1000 HKD total.
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Sounds great, hkchoichoi! Thanks for the info. I have no problem with giving birth at public hospital but since I cannot have elective C-section (and apparently begging wouldn't help), I have to go private which is gonna cost me quite a bit.
I do find private system in HK try to rip off expats whenever they can (coz they can) as we are considered wealthy. We had a bad experience last year when my husband got the flu. But apart from a really bad sore throat he was good enough to go to work. His GP at a private hospital (cannot name names on this website) wanted to put him on drips and keep him in the hospital overnight for observation. We refused and in the end the GP prescribed him over 5 types of medications (lozenges, antibiotics, flu serum, anti-inflammartory drugs etc) which amounted to around HK1200!! We actually were worried that this high level is not only unnecessary but also can be dangerous. I wouldn't want to put that much drug into my husband's body especially when he was not that sick. We opted only to take home 2 medications in the end. Btw, I called Mannings pharmacy later and found another brand of antibiotics that most HK locals use are a lot cheaper! Why didn't the doctor prescribe him that?
I wonder how those doctors, who take advantages of their patients, sleep at night. I am sure there are many good HK doctors out there too. But this bad experience really put us off the private system. Then again, I hope it's just that particular private hospital and that particular GP - being the bad mice droppings in a good pot of porridge. :)
Sunny
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Well - you're going to be SHOCKED to discover the pregnancy package system at private. Based on what time of ROOM you choose, the doctor's fees go up. So if you want to reduce your expenses overall, opt for a ward room instead of a semi-private or private. Then the doctors charge far less.
Is this your first? Why c-section? You should try the public for as long as you can - and then opt for private just for the surgery - perhaps that is an option for you. Or - if you're lucky (or unlucky) like me - you could end up with breech presentation ANYWAYS and have to deliver via c-section. HAHAHAH. I want a natural second, but my baby is currently breech so I'm scheduled for a c-section.
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Yes, I am fully aware of the high cost at private hospitals and find it incredible that doctor's fee varies with room type. Really don't know how they justify that. Is it because private rooms tend to be on the top floor so it takes them longer to reach there. Extra time spent in the lift = extra cost? HAHAHA, I am being sarcastic! But I know that some doctors do charge the same for all room types, very kind of them.
Hkchoichoi, how often did you need to go for your prenatal checkups for the 1st and 2nd trimesters? My current gynae wants to see me every 3 weeks which I find a bit too frequent. 4 weeks would be more usual I thought. Also he wants to do ultrasound on my every visit. Is that safe for the baby? And is it necessary I see him every 3 weeks? Or is that simply a way for him to make more money out of his patients?
It is my first pregnancy and my husband and I both prefer C-section as a friend of mine find her virginal passage is never right after she gave birth which was 5 years ago. Sex life suffered as a result. Plus it's easier when I can plan the date of delivery, less painful birth (although I do know it takes a good month to recover and up to 6 months internally). Apparently the risk of complication at birth is pretty similar whether you choose VB or C-S.
I want to register at Tran Yak to get a 2nd opinion and also in case I need to give birth at QMH in case of any complications. I know QM is where you'd go if your case is more complex anyway. Plus it's nice to go to a medical facility knowing that they are not there to make a profit out of you. Btw, hkchoichoi, can you speak Cantonese? Is that why you had better experience at TY and QM?
If you really want a VB, then the very best of luck your baby will turn around in time. Isn't there some exercise you can do to help with that? Good luck with your upcoming delivery!! Hope you have yet another good experience!
Sunny :)
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not a cantonese speaker. Speak English and Korean.
In 1st and second trimesters - it was about once a month. You definitely don't have ultrasounds every visit at Tsan Yuk. Eventually you will not be at Tsan Yuk, if your case is normal, and rather you will be sent to one of the satellite clinics, where most of the time a midwife will attend to you rather than a doctor. if there arises anything unusual THEN you will be referred to the doctor onsite.
Even in Korea, (i've since moved to Seoul) my doctor only asked to see me once a month during my 1st and second trimesters. I didn't even register at tsan yuk until I was 11 weeks along, which is standard in the US.
As for the sex issue - KEGELS KEGELS KEGELS. My husband didn't seem to notice - I kept on doing the Kegels afterwards - and everything seemed to work out all right. It's scary the first time AFTEr you've had the baby, but once I got used to it, I kept asking him if it was the "same" and he said there were no complaints.
but there is something to be said about the planning of a c-section - as most of my friends who opted for one the first time have no regrets with their decision. But you might want to reconsider - think about possibly having a VB. There are many pros (namely recovery afterwards, losing weight afterwards, breastfeeding afterwards) are far more expedited in a vaginal birth. (my dad is an Ob.)
i'm doing cat poses every day - hopefully the baby will have turned! I will know tomorrow.
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Btw, Hkchoichoi, is it true that it takes 1.5 to 3 hours for prenatal checkups at Tran Yuk? Is the wait shorter when you reach your 3rd trimester?
In my home country, I see my gynae in a big hospital too with many specialised departments. I can make my appointment online with about 6 specialists I can choose from. They will give me a rough time when to turn up on the day. When my number comes up outside the doctor's room I go into see him/her. If I missed my turn, I just need to wait for 5 patients to get through before I get another chance. I find that a very good system and is not expensive at all. I vaguely remember your father is a gynae in HK? Hope he has some influence in making the public system better :)
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I will check out the VB too as you suggested as I still have a long way to go. My mother told me to do Kegel long ago before I was even pregnant, she say it's good for you anyway. I also read it would improve your sex life :)
Good luck with tomorrow's checkup! Hope he/she has turned around after your dedicated effort!! I remember my friend's baby turned around towards the end. But unfortunately for her she had to have C-section coz she got flu in the last stage.
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Hey Sunny -
the trick at Tsan Yuk and the other satellite clinics is SHOW UP EARLY. So they have this "batch" system - usually the appts. at Tsan Yuk are in the AM if I remember - if they batch you in for 9:30 - then you show up at 8:45. Then when 9:30 rolls around, you are #1 or #2. (they will give you a # to let you know which one you are.) then you go in and see the doctor - I was always out under 1.5 hours - by showing up 45 minutes early. It worked for me that way. The same is for the Satellite clinics, but it's actually a bit crazier at the satellite clinics. I attended central clinic - so they opened their doors at 12:00 or something, even though appt.s didn't start until 1:30. A lot of people would show up at 12:00, get their #'s, go to lunch, and then come back at 1:30 or so. I would just go at 12:00, get a good book and sit on their hardbacked chairs.
Towards your 3rd trimester you go back to Tsan Yuk and you are seen at a different time - which is for all the late trimester pregnancies. I do remember the wait being slightly shorter, but I am not totally sure.
Just from my experience, the doctors were not as good as the midwives. The doctor who examined me in my 37 week or so decided I was breech based on external palpitations. He scheduled me for an ultrasound a week later - and in the meanwhile my blood pressure shot up from the stress and I FREAKED OUT. A midwife saw me, and did the same external palpitation and said, "I don't think so" but she couldn't override the doctor. AT any rate, when I went in for the ultrasound, the baby was in the proper headdown position. SO much for the doctor.
Then right before delivery, I was in labor (slow slow slow torturous labor) a doctor came by for vaginal exam and rubbed my belly and said, "Wow - you're going to have a really big baby - over 8 lbs!" I FREAKED OUT again. Then a midwife came to check on me and I asked her - she took one look at the belly, did a gentle palpitation and said, "No - I think you have a thick abdominal wall (I was heavy before pregnancy) but the baby itself is quite small. My baby wasn't even 7lbs. So much for doctors.
My dad is a ob.gyn in the US unfortunately. no help in HK. HAHAHA.
If you haven't already, check out Hulda at Annerly Midwives for her prenatal classes. I LOVED her -
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Thanks hkchoichoi!! That was very informative with great tips! I will check out Annerly Midwives in a few more weeks time, when I pass my first trimester. I am a little worried today as I haven't felt sick for a couple of days. I checked my BBT this morning it was still up and I am not spotting and my heartbeat is still pretty fast at about 80/min. I guess I just have to try not to think about it too much.
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Sunnysideup -
don't worry about not feeling sick - that's a BONUS. how many weeks are you?
Yes - Hulda is awesome. I reommend saving money on your delivery and splurging on things like having a midwife come and visit you at home. That is such a wonderful LUXURY and Hulda is the best. She came and helped me with my breastfeeding right away.
MY BABY TURNED!!! Just found out - i'm having other difficulties - namely very low amniotic fluid so I think I will be delivering about 2 weeks earlier than I had planned. They are allowing me one more week at home and then next Friday, it is likely that I'll be admitted and then induced.
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Hey, congratulations! Your hard work paid off!
I am only about 8 weeks and was pretty sick for the last 2 weeks, even threw up once. Dr. said it's good I feel sick. It's nice not being sick and can concentrate more (was very sleepy much of the time before). Well, since there is nothing i can do about it, I'll try my best not to think too much at this time.
My parents don't know the good news yet (don't want to disappoint them if I lose it) but my mum has already agreed to come look after me for the 1st month. I will certainly check out Hulda and also LLL who can provide good breastfeeding tips and postnatal support.
Good luck with your upcoming delivery, hope it all turn out thumbs up!
Sunny :)
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my mom has to change her plane ticket - she's flying in the from the US - she will hopefully arrive early next week. Having a mother around is a plus! Koreans have this crazy post partum routine, and I feel bad for my mom - she has to bathe me, feed me, make sure I don't get "cold" and all sorts of other nonsense. I don't understand it all -but my grandmother and my mother in law are traditionalists.
thanks for the good luck - I'm glad you're feeling better. Keep me posted on how it goes - whom are you seeing currently?
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Wow, I am surprised! It sounds like Korean culture has a similar post partum "ritual" like mine. I am Chinese so there is a one-month period when you are not allowed to wash hair/body unless you use water that has been boiled. Apparently all your pores are open after birth so you are likely to get a chill and more prone to infections. There are certain food we will have to eat in this month too to replenish ourselves. A friend of mine did twice of this "one month ritual" but for her 3rd baby she got lazy so didn't stick to it. She washed her hair as usual with tap water and have migrane ever since. So she is telling me it's worth following this ritual. I don't know if i will stick to it as I am sure I just want a nice bath after the birth. That may require a lot of kettles boiling at the same time, haha. We shall see :)
I know my mother would love to do it but she is not going to force me to take on it all. It's part of our culture so maybe fun to try. Something to talk about with mates, isn't it? It's almost like a knowledge you should have so you can pass on to your daughters.
I am currently seeing Dr. Joe Chan in Central. Have you heard of him?
Btw, feel free to update me on your progress or a nice chat at sunnysideup2010@gmail.com It's a pity you are no longer in HK. Any plan of returning to HK or is there another city that's next on your list? Interesting to know where you and your husband might want to retire to. Something my husband and I are still searching and deciding. haha.
Sunny :)
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Sunnysideup 2010, we had Hulda come in the beginning too, she as actually a doula for me too during my (looong) labor. I just had to echo what hkchoichoi said, Hulda really is the best. So helpful, so reassuring, and so nice to have her come to you in the beginning when getting out the door was such an unbelievable challenge.
Congratulations on your baby turning hkchoichoi! Gosh, it's all just around the corner for you now. You'll have to let us know if you have a girl or a boy :-)
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Thanks, my thoughts. When should I start speaking to her? I am only 8 weeks so am just hoping to get through my 1st trimester first. I know they sometimes arrange get-togethers, so I think I will attend those first to gain more info about what they can do for me. Thanks again for a word of confidence on a no doubt would be useful helping hand.
Sunny :)
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I'm only using Pamela Youde (Eastern Hospital) for the pre-natal checkups, because I've heard both types of stories - good and bad and cannot take the risk that I will be left screaming on the table with people doing stuff to me without explanation etc. So I have some insurance coverage which will be OK if I have an uneventful delivery, and am saving on the pre-natal costs by going public. I also want my hubby plus a doula with me, which the public system wont allow, and NO episiotomy. Of course if I didnt have insurance, who knows, I'd probably go public...scary thought.
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Thanks for your input Ueberandout! I am sorry to hear your bad experience. I do appreciate info on both sides - good and bad experience that is.
On the issue of advice on medication if you catch a cold, my private GynOb was actually quite relaxed about what drug I can take which worries me too. That's why I would like to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion elsewhere.
It's sad if one cannot trust one's doctor. I am still evaluating my doctor and hopefully I will be able to place my trust in him. If he fails my test, then I just have to switch. There are plenty of nice, patient doctors out there but they must also be professional and know their stuff.
Sunny
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Hmmm...
My experience at QMH was very different. And everything I went through, I reconsulted with my father back in the US. I wonder if that made me more comfortable - but he never gave any indication that what I was going through was abnormal at QMH.
By the way, i've heard that you can demand not to have an episiotomy at QMH - if you are a foreigner. I've asked my father about the pros and cons and he told me HONESTLY that there were no serious advantages or disadvantages either way. I asked him, "AS YOUR DAUGHTER, what should I do?" and he said, "what your doctor recommends." So I had one...healed just fine.
There are great stories and horror stories either with public or private. That is the nature of medicine. no one system can gurantee everything and is completely fail proof.
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Well I am 9 wks pregnant and although it is a long way off and I will have to decide which hospital I want to deliver in.
I am sickened by the cost of private care at the Mathilda and other such hospitals and am considering QMH. Also, I was born at QMH so I have some affection for the place as it has been the hospital that I went to as a child.
I am also aware that should there be any complications during labour, the Mathilda will ship to QMH anyway.
HKChoiChoi - could you tell me if you went private at QMH? I am heartened by your experience there and would like to register at Tsan Yuk.
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Well2
19 yrs ago
any good gyn in HK recommended? I need one that i don't need to queue up for appointments, as i dont' wanna take a sickie or late to work.
Hubby wants me to quit my job...
"No" "way" !!!
Pls kindy help. Tks :-)
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Hi Vulvic -
If you do opt to go private at QMH - it's virtually the same price as going to Matilda or Adventist. I opted to save the money so I could get nice private care (aka Hulda the midwife) at home after the birth. I did have a great experience, and there are good and bad experiences to be had at public and private hospitals. I'm at a public hospital right now in seoul, and i'm not having the greatest experience this time.
Your husband can be with you during the labor process - if you are admitted into the labor room. While you are waiting for your labor to progress, however, he will not be allowed into the ward, unless it is visiting hours. I found that part of the Queen Mary experience hard. What i ended up doing instead was walking around in the Lobby with my husband counting my contractions and trying to expedite my labor (which was REALLY slow.) At midnight, I begged the nurse to let me into the labor room - although I wasn't dilated enough. She said if I would take the epidural she could admit me to the labor room but if I didnt', I had to wait. I asked her again, and she took pity on me, and so my husband was admitted into the labor room with me where we spent the next 12 hours together. I think that nurse figured out I was really missing my husband. HAHAHAH.
And Well2 - the best private docs in HK tend to have queues and waiting for them. I do know a few friends who were VERY happy with Dr. Macor Wan, who would have been my first choice, had I gone private. He was in Prince's building and is supposedly a great support for women who are pregnant.
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Thanks so much hkchoichoi. That is definately the downside of labour in a govt hopsital. However, I have talked it over with my partner over the weekend and have decided to go with private birth at QMH. It is a big expense but we can handle that. I personally don't like the Mathilda hospital as I feel they really do rip you off and should anything go wrong with the birth, they will only rush you to QMH.
As for the after care, I have been told that the grandparents are booking their flights in anticipation, lol!
Thanks again.
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Okie
19 yrs ago
Wow, you guys have really given me a lot of insight into the public system here. I will advise you that I have seen 2 private doctors here and the wait time is not that much shorter. I like to make the first appointment and then get there a little early (5-10min), but it can still be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours before I see the doctor.
I have also been flabbergasted by the extortionistic charges that HK doctors levy on people here. I can't believe that they're allowed to get away with this stuff!
I have been seeing a doctor in Shatin who charges an average of $400 per visit. I visited one on the island & before I got out of her office, I wound up spending $3000. I don't have a problem for paying a little more for better care, but come on.
As for pregnancy safe medications. Check out the Mayoclinic.com. They can give you a list of safe medications. Look for the generic name (not the brand name) and then check the back of the boxes to make sure that they don't contain any extra ingredients.
Good luck everyone!
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Well2
19 yrs ago
if time for queuing up for public and private is almost the same. I think i should go for public then.. Any idea any good public ones closer to happyvalley or causeway bay or wanchai?
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Thanks Blossom,there is a lot to look into and it really seems rather daunting. I guess there's no way of knwoing what you are getting until you go to these places and see gfor yourself.
I think I shall have to arrange a busman's tour of these hospitals and see who comes out on top!
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I am surprised to know that you have to queue for a long time to see a private gynae. I never had to wait for mine. Does that mean my gynae is not very good? I am normally there for an hour and when I came out there was no one waiting after me. My gynae is in Central, Dr. Joe Chan.
Vulvic - I know Matilda is expensive but there are still other private hospitals e.g. Adventist and Canossa. Is going private at QMH a lot cheaper than these two "cheaper" options I mentioned?
Btw, if I opt to give birth privately, can I still use the public system for baby care e.g vaccination, checkups? Where will I need to take my baby to? QMH? I live in mid-levels.
Sunny
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I have been going to Tsan Yuk for my appointments - public. I find that if I get there 30 mins before the scheduled appointment I am usually the first or second one in the queue and so pretty much get seen on time. I don't like going there and plan to go home for the birth even though it means flying quite late in my pregnancy. I just usually come out feeling really unimportant! You are just a number and they don't manage to make this special time feel very special at all. However, I won't pay the exhorbitant fees to go private so I will just have to deal with it!!
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Miss D - if you decide to give birth in your home country, do check your insurance to see if it is covered. To my surprise, I AM covered should I wish to give birth outside HK and for all prenatal checkups. It's definitely a plus! Just make sure you have all the documents to make the claim later.
Sunny :)
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Blossom - you are definitely not boring me! Any info of past experiences at tsan yuk is appreciated. I feel very much on my own with what I am going through. I thought I might meet other expats in the waiting room but haven't come across any yet. It is nice to hear stories to help make my own decisions.
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Thanks for the info Blossom, not to worried about the tour in Cantonese as I will have my dear old Dad to translate. Will also check about the anaesthetist aswell, although a friend of mine is an aneasthetist at QMH aswell so will get her advice too.
As for Andventist, prices are pretty much on a par with Matilda. However, my nain reason for chossing QMH is that they are equipped to deal with any emergency should it arise. Matilda is not.
However, I will accept that until I check these places out first, I won't be able to make an informed decision.
Thanks for all the input.
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MARB
19 yrs ago
I am 25 weeks into my first pregnancy.
I have been attending Tsan Yuk for my pre-natal checkups from the start.
I have to say that I am always in and out of the clinic within an hour of my appointment time.
I go there no later than five minutes prior to my appointment time, certainly never any earlier than that.
I requested to see a female doctor and this has happened each and every visit.
Ok so their bed side manner is not the best but I think they all do an amazing job.
I would recommend the clinic for pre-natal care.
But, if you are the kind of woman who needs to be handled with care and you need lots of TLC prehaps Tsan Yak is not for you.
Good luck to all you other first time mums, it's so exciting isn't it!
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MARB - thanks for your positive post about Tsan Yuk. I am seeing my gynae on Friday to get a referral there and will start the ball rolling. Agree about not needing loads of mollycoddling, am over the moon about being preggers but don't think I really want or need 'special' attention.
Will let you know how I get on.
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:-))
19 yrs ago
Another option to avoid waiting around too long for the appointments - this is what I did at the Central MCHC - is to turn up VERY LATE for the appointments. I don't know whether they still have the 1pm appointments at the CMCHC. I found that if I showed up at 2.15pm then I was always out of there in half an hour!
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