Is this normal at POW hospital?

I'm two months pregnant. I just returned from registering at POW hospital as I live in Sai Kung so this would be the closest public hospital to me - and it seems to have a good enough reputation for delivery. When I registered at POW, I filled in their forms, then was vaguely told to sit down and 'wait', which I did for over an hour. When they finally called my name, I was given two appointment slips, one for a Down's syndrome test appointment in the third week of Feb, then another way off in May when I guess I would finally see a OB - that was it - the woman behind the counter didn't answer any more questions. Is this normal? No one has even spoken to me! I'm a bit concerned about whether I am now on the 'list' for a bed when I'm supposed to give birth (I guess some time in July). I'm from Canada so I have experienced gov't-subsidized public hospitals, but somehow I was expecting a bit more follow-up or something from POW. This is my first pregnancy so I'm not exactly an old-hand at this so maybe I'm over-reacting? Does anyone who has gone through pregnancy and birth in the public hospitals have any advice?

hey .. dun worry. This is normal. As you are just 2 months preg and this first visit for simply for registration, there is not much they are going to do. I used to go for monthly check-ups at the private clinics as well just to keep a track of the baby and do the ultrasound to see it. Public hospitals will only do 1 ultrasound when you are around 22 weeks preg so if you want to see your baby every now and then, you will have to go to the private clinics. And there you will also get your folic acid tablets and/or Vitamins (public hospitals dun provide these).


Congrats on your pregnancy and hope you enjoy every bit of it.

As the others have said this is normal procedure when you register. When you go to the appointment in Feb they will tell you to go and register at the MCHC for the rest of your pregnancy check ups. They will normally not do it at the hospital unless you have a high risk pregnancy.


The MCHC that most that are registered at POW living in Sai Kung go to (as it's the closest) is in Ma On Shan. See link.

http://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal_nted_mos.html


Going on the dates you have given you won't need to register until after your next visit to POW.


As Cara said the medical care in the public system is awesome. I had my first at POW in 2008 and am now 13 weeks with number 2 due mid August and will also be having the second at POW.


Just be prepared for lots of waiting around for your check ups. Take a good book with you. Also the time they give you on your appointment slips at the MCHC is not just for you there is probably another 20 ladies with the same time so try to be early so you can get through everything a little quicker.

Sounds exactly like my experience - except I went in at 9 weeks and saw the doc that day. She advised me to find alternative antenatal care as it is not provided by the hospital, as other posters have advised. I have found Annerley midwives antenatal clinic a good alternative.


I'm sure the medical care at POW is excellent, but I was really put off by complete lack of communication by any of the staff there. I didn't even know why they were making me give a urine sample. (and why they can't provide a little paper cup to pee in is beyond me) Granted, some of it is the language barrier but I noticed a lot of their signs were in Chinese only. The only information they gave me while I was waiting was an english info sheet about getting an epidural!


So I've been back for my 20 week scan since then and had a better experience - the technician was great, very friendly and helped me when I needed to get a copy of my blood results, even though it wasn't her job. The reception staff on the other hand make any communication all but impossible - they pull the little blinds down on their window so you can't talk to them. When you are pregnant you tend to have a lot of questions and POW is clearly understaffed and don't have the time to spend one on one with every patient. I felt I had nobody to ask about the actual birth process which I found worrying (and this is not my first) so I found the not knowing a little stressful.


In any case, I also booked a carefully selected private doctor and a private room at Union hospital, which I know will be a very different experience than POW (not to mention MUCH more expensive). I want to go there if everything is normal and I can have a natural birth but if I have any major complications or require a c-sect I think I will stick with POW.