Maternity: going the 'public hospital route'

Help Ladies! I am totally overwhelmed with this subject. We are planning our first child and are currently looking at insurance plans which are very high and not affordable to us. My employer doesn't cover maternity.


For those of you who went the public hospital route in Hong Kong: would you mind sharing your stories? I have never been to a public hospital in HK. What are the choices (I live in Midlevels), do I take all your scans and prenatal checkups in the hospital or ? Do you make appointments for that or do you have to queue up everytime you go (I will remain at work during pregnancy). How much are the prenatal checks (and how often do I have to go?). Will the father be able to attend birth in public hospital? Are there any private rooms or would I have to share a noisy ward?


There are loads of questions and I don't know where to start. If anyone could share their experiences it would be very much appreciated.


I have checked the threads on public hospitals but would be grateful if someone could give a detailed run on 'how to go the public route from the beginning to the end', including approx. charges, prenatal, birth, midwife, doctors, epidural, vaginal birth preferrable, private rooms or wards, baby nursery at hospital, breastfeeding support, etc. etc.


Thanks very much in advance!!!