Congratulations! You just recently found out that you are pregnant, but have you decided on an OB-GYN yet? Any clue about the costs of delivery? Admission? What about the support classes that they provide? Luckily, Singapore’s maternity care is one of the best in the world.
In Singapore, hospitals in both the private and public sectors are typically safe and reliable. Deciding between both is generally a matter of choice, as both systems deliver top-of-the-line medical care. The extremely low infant mortality rates in Singapore verify the high-quality of the medical systems in place. This article will guide you through the advantages and disadvantages of both, and hopefully, assist you in your decision-making process.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE A PUBLIC HOSPITAL?
The largest benefit of going public is the affordability factor. Costs are generally lower than those in private hospitals, as public hospitals are usually subsidized by the government. You will pay even less if you are a Singaporean citizen! Another advantage is that public hospitals are usually better equipped to deal with birth and delivery complications.
SOUNDS GOOD, ARE THERE ANY SETBACKS?
Although public hospitals are cheaper, you can expect a lag in service. This includes longer waiting times and less comfortable amenities. Visitation hours are also quite restricted, so give your relatives a heads-up beforehand! Public hospitals do not process insurance claims, so you must handle the paperwork yourself.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE A PRIVATE HOSPITAL?
If ultimate luxury and comfort are what you are after, then chose a private hospital for your delivery day. Expect shorter waiting times and a smoother administration and billing process. Relax in beautiful luxurious waiting areas and enjoy perks such as head massages, cocktail parties, and reserved parking spots. Sometimes, the difference in cost between private and public hospitals is not as large as you might think! If you have a comprehensive insurance policy, a private hospital is a no-brainer!
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGE?
If you do not have health insurance, private hospitals come at a large cost factor! Bills quickly accumulate if you have to stay for an extra night or two. Private births are also led by OB-GYNs, which lowers the amount of midwife support. Another setback for some small private hospitals is their inability to deal with difficult births or medical emergencies, which is where you would be transferred for medical assistance elsewhere.
I HAVE A GENERAL IDEA OF WHICH SECTOR TO GO FOR. WHAT ARE THE BEST HOSPITAL OPTIONS OUT THERE?
Good question. We have compiled a list of 10 hospitals in Singapore with maternity services, including options from both the public and private sectors.
Image: NUH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
This university hospital specializes in high-risk obstetrics and is the expert in facilitating complicated pregnancies. If anything goes wrong in your delivery, you’d be lucky to be in NUH. This hospital is equipped with tons of experienced professionals in almost all medical specializations.
NUH is also the hospital for those who are looking for natural birth. It is the first hospital in Singapore to offer water birth and aromatherapy for a natural experience.
NUH is a public hospital that takes the extra mile by offering a variety of premium services to ensure your utmost comfort during your stay. If you opt for the deluxe Ward A rooms, you will be provided with a complimentary butler to assist you in anything that you need! Butlers can help order taxis, do your laundry, iron, and even wash your hair! Talk about pampering!
QUICK FACTS:
- STAN fetal monitor analysis equipment is available
- Variety of confinement meals to suit different dietary restrictions
- With the ward A package, a romantic candle-lit dinner is included to celebrate your newborn with your partner!
NORMAL DELIVERY COST:
- Ward A (1-bedded): $4, 258 to $5,714
- Ward B (4-bedded): $2634 to $3,502
- Ward B2 (4-bedded): $914 to $1265
- Ward C: (4-bedded): $675 to $987
MATERNITY TOUR: Guided tours are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. Call (65) 6772 2255 / 2277 to book a place, as spaces are quite limited!
WARD A ROOM FACILITIES:
- Attractive pastel-colored en-suites with a single bed
- Television
- Reclining armchair
- Bar fridge
- Daily newspapers
LOCATION: 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074
PHONE: (+65) 6772 2255
Image: SGH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
SGH is the most cost-effective hospital for normal deliveries, which makes it a good pick for Singaporean mums-and-dads to be.
With a new gourmet food menu, floral delivery suites, and extensive post-natal support, SGH is a dependable and comfortable choice. Experience ultimate comfort with a tropical feel in SGH’s newly remodeled delivery suites. They even feature a wall encased with a variety of plants for an added touch!
SGH has a recently created confinement menu, with delicious hospital food. Yes, you read that correctly. Although hospital food is usually unappetizing, SGH has added a variety of restaurant-like dishes, carefully crafted by dieticians. You’ll find yourself looking forward to your next meal!
QUICK FACTS:
- Part of the WHO Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: promoting breastfeeding and providing support for new mothers
- Renowned for their extremely supportive nurse team
NORMAL DELIVERY COST:
- Ward A (1-bed): $3,459 to $5,533
- Ward B (4-bed): $2,698 to $3,992
- Ward B2 (4-bed): $1218 to $1873
- Ward C: (4-bed): $978 to $1463
MATERNITY TOUR: 11:30 and 15:00 from Mondays to Fridays. Call 6326 5923 to book your place.
WARD A ROOM FACILITIES:
- En-suite room with single bed
- Armchair
- Television
LOCATION: Outram Road, Singapore 169608
PHONE: (+65) 6222 3322
Image: GEH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
If you are searching for a luxurious stay, GEH is an ideal hospital for you. Enjoy an unparalleled level of luxury, in spacious and tranquil surroundings! If you upgrade to the super room package, you can expect a complimentary head massage, a metabolic screening, a cocktail party, and a ride home in a limo with your newborn! Extravagant suites are also available for a higher cost, but they are totally worth the splurge!
Gleneagles is proud to offer tasty specially-selected confinement food, and excellent post-natal support groups. This includes breastfeeding support from lactation specialists and parentcraft classes.
QUICK FACTS:
- Luxurious services for a superior room package
- Quick and easy check-in
- Wi-Fi everywhere
NORMAL DELIVERY COST:
- One-bed room: $8,441 to $11,511
- Two-bed room: $6,579 to $8,373
MATERNITY TOUR:
- Virtual tour
- You can also take a maternity tour from Mon-Sat to see everything for yourself! Call to schedule the tour in advance.
MATERNITY DELIVERY SUITES: 10 delivery suites
SINGLE ROOM FACILITIES:
- Single bed
- Recliner armchair
- Television
- Radio
- Wi-Fi
- DVD player
LOCATION: 6A Napier Road, Singapore, 258500
PHONE: (+65) 6575 7575
Image: MEH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
MEH features some of the most state-of-the-art facilities in Singapore! Patient care is a massive priority, where they make sure your stay with them is smooth from start to finish.
MEH offers some unique luxurious perks, such as a reserved parking spot for you, mother and baby gift sets, ginger tea and longan at check-in, and traditional confinement food to nourish your body after the baby has arrived! You can also treat yourself to a complimentary massage, manicure, pedicure, and a romantic meal with your partner. Oh, did we mention the limo service that will drive you home in style?
With regards to support, MEH will assign a personal nurse for you, and coach you through hands-on bathing demonstrations and breastfeeding sessions to ease you into parenthood.
QUICK FACTS:
- Right next to Orchard shopping malls
- Most expensive private hospital for giving birth in Singapore
- Reserved parking spot
NORMAL DELIVERY COST:
- One-bed room: $8,866 to $12,053
- Two-bed room: $6,370 to $8,307
MATERNITY TOUR:
SINGLE ROOM FACILITIES:
- En-suite bathroom facilities
- Couch
- Wi-fi
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone
LOCATION: 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
PHONE: Tel: (+65) 6250 0000
Image: MNH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
This newly built, gleaming facility will cater to all your needs. With its sparklingly sleek décor, up-to-date equipment, and security emphasis, this hospital is worth the extra splurge! Relax in a holiday-like environment, where your utmost privacy is accounted for. In MNH, you will receive a personal-access keycard for the gated security at each level, individual temperature controls, and luxury toiletries in case you forgot yours!
MNH also introduced a unique way of identifying your newborn, called the ‘hugs and kisses’ system. You and your baby are tagged, and the buzzer will play a melody if the match is correct, or sound an alarm if there is a mismatch.
QUICK FACTS:
- Reserved parking spots for 2 members of the family.
- Starbucks, Samsara Gourmet, and a Salad Garden are available to cater to hungry waiting fathers.
- Companions are offered complimentary meals and lodging.
NORMAL DELIVERY COST: $7,755 to $10,085 (one-bedded room)
MATERNITY BEDS: 30 single-bedrooms
MATERNITY TOUR:
- Maternity tours are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Call 6933 0191 to reserve
- Virtual tour
ROOM FACILITIES:
- En-suite bathroom facilities
- Couch
- Private terrace
- 46-inch flat-screen TV
LOCATION: 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563
PHONE: (+65) 6250 0000
Image: PEH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
Recently renovated, PEH’s maternity ward offers a small and cozy environment for mums-to-be. Although it may not be as lavish as some of the other private hospitals, the quality of care is not compromised. The nurses will make you feel right at home from the get-go. The admin staff will quickly check you in, and get you registered in a few minutes.
Parkway East Hospital offers comprehensive parentcraft classes, covering everything from breastfeeding to bathing. Feeling too exhausted to join the class? Watch the convenient parentcraft video from the comfort of your own hospital room, on the flatscreen TV!
This hospital is a cost-effective, private option for parents in the East of Singapore.
QUICK FACTS:
- Excellent quality care
- Confinement menu caters for dietary restrictions
NORMAL DELIVERY COST:
- One-bed room: $6,165 to $7,548
- Two-bed room: $4,506 to $5,907
- Four-bed room: $4,156 to $5,396
MATERNITY TOUR:
- Tours are conducted from Monday to Friday at 2.30 pm and Saturday at 10.00 am. Call 6340 8675 to reserve your spot!
- Virtual tour
MATERNITY SUITES: 1 delivery suite, with 5 delivery rooms
SINGLE ROOM FACILITIES:
- En-suite bathroom facilities
- Couch
- Flat-screen TV
LOCATION: 321 Joo Chiat Pl, 427990
PHONE: (+65) 6344 7588
Image: RH
WHAT ARE SO SPECIAL?
Although RH is not as sleek or new as other hospitals, the excellent amenities, medical support and services make up for it! You may feel like the rooms are quite basic, but they are extremely well-maintained and sanitary.
Medical attention is fantastic here, with high-quality lactation support to improve your breastfeeding techniques. ParentCraft lessons are taught by professionals to assist you in diaper changing, child-bathing, and much more. A comprehensive 6-lesson Antenatal course is also provided for couples, to coach them through their pregnancies.
RH also exclusively offers traditional Chinese medical services, which are not generally found in other hospitals. Located on the 2nd floor, this clinic deals with a variety of health issues, such as infertility, gynecology, orthopedics, and much more.
QUICK FACTS:
- Starbucks, Subway, and The Coffee Shop are available for waiting family members.
- $15 dollars a day for parking
- Chinese medical clinic on the 2nd floor
NORMAL DELIVERY COST: $7,601 to $10,157 (one-bedded room)
MATERNITY TOUR: Stop by at 11:30 on Wednesdays or Mondays at 16:00 for a tour (which begins at the Business Office at Level 8). No need to register beforehand!
ROOM FACILITIES: Standard single rooms offer a couch, TV, and bar fridge.
LOCATION: 585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770
PHONE: (+65) 6311 1111
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