My Pregnancy Diary 5 - Review: Maternity Tour @ Mount Elizabeth Novena

Hi all,

My little Aedan is 31 weeks old. :)

Here's the latest photo of him but can't see much because his backside is facing my belly.
What a shy boy :)) He is really active these days and I feel more and more of his movement.

I'm glad that he is healthy and also that my Glucose Test & Haemoglobin test results are both good.
I have no diabetes and my blood level is normal which mean I can continue to eat my ice cream and sweet stuff. Yay!!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Review on Mount E Novena:

My doctor can deliver at 3 locations: Mount Alvernia, Thomson Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth Novena. Visited maternity tours for all three hospitals and have reviewed the maternity tours at Mount Alvernia and Thomson Medical Centre in my previous posts.

This is my last maternity tour review.

When my hubby and I first stepped into Mount Elizabeth Novena, we both exclaimed that the hospital looks more like a 6 stars hotel. The entrance of the hospital looks similar to resort world hotel entrance. They even have a door boy standing at the entrance to welcome the visitors and guide them to their destination.

Their main entrance

Unlike TMC which has a very small lobby, Mount Elizabeth has an extremely huge lobby and comfortable waiting area at the side.

Unbelievable spacious lobby

Waiting area

Another photo of the waiting area and check out how spacious it is

We were asked to be seated at the waiting area before the tour start.
The tour started with a staff giving each couple a goodies bag and introducing herself. She first showed us to the admission counter. We were briefed that we can choose to do pre-registration with a deposit of S$500 to reserve a room and also to avoid any administrative hassle on the actual day .

Check out what is included in the Goodies Bag!

The staff told us that on the actual day of delivery, we may approach the main lobby counter for registration between 7am to 8pm. If we arrive before 7am or after 8pm, we have to proceed to the A&E entrance at the side for registration.

We will then be brought up to level 3 which have all the delivery suites and operating theatre.
We understand from the staff that there are 6 delivery suites. 
The maternity package covers 12 hrs in delivery suite and addition S$34/hr for additional usage.

This is the waiting area at level 3 for parents, friends and relatives to wait for baby delivery.
At the delivery suite, only one companion is allowed to go in.

Delivery suite/labour rorom at level 3

Toilet at delivery suite

After delivery, the mother will be ushered to level 9 where there are 32 single bedded rooms. To enter the maternity ward, a pass will be required. The daddy will be given a pass. For visitor, they will need to press the room number and mummy's name in order to enter. 

 The maternity ward area is very quiet. This is to ensure that mummy will not be disturbed by other visitors so that she can get enough rest. During the stay, there will be an in-house lactation consultation provided once per day.

Their single bedroom. It looks very new and spacious. 

Daddy can stay in with Mummy over the night for free without meals.
If Daddy wants meal, then have to pay additional for every night stay. 

Toilet in the maternity ward.
They provide complimentary Evelyn & Crabtree bathing essential during the stay.

The nursing room

After viewing the maternity room, the guide brought us to their top level where there's a penthouse maternity ward! For the rich who are willing to pay extra, they can opt to stay at penthouse after giving birth. What a luxury!

At the end of the tour, we were guided to a room where they served us some snacks & drinks.
The staff went to every couple to answer their doubts.  
During our session with the staff, we clarified with her on the complimentary stay for Daddy. She assured us that it is free if we do not opt for meal. This is something different from the other hospitals we have visited so far which require additional top-up for Daddy's stay regardless of whether meals are included/not.

Here's more information of the price of the maternity ward which they provide nicely in a file in the goodies bag.

Maternity Package includes the following:

Package excludes the following:
Specific consumables and medications (e.g. abdominal binder, antibiotics, etc.)
Newborn hearing screening
Phototherapy
OT surcharge for horoscopic LSCS (2000 hr - 0730 hr)
Use of the OT, recovery room and general anaesthetic in excess of the stipulated time
Cardiovascular laboratory (CVL) services and radiological contrasts
Electrocardiograms (ECGs), treadmill tests, and diagnostic imaging services (e.g. CT, MRI, Ultrasound, echocardiograhy (TEE), PET, nuclear medicine, X-rays, etc.)
Dialysis and oncology services
All laboratory tests and services, including blood transfusion products and services, histopathology, genetic studies, fine needle aspiration (FNA), and referred laboratory services (with the exception of Basic Baby screen and Bilirubin test)
Rehabilitation services, Homecare services
Accident and emergency services
Discharge (take-home) medications
Non-medical items/services (e.g. extra meals, laundry, IDD calls, etc.)
Pre-admission investigations
Doctors' fees
For Caesarean Delivery (Elective/emergency):
Use of foceps or vacuum pump
Use of labour ward delivery facility, Entonox, CTG monitoring, and other items/services prior to Caesarean delivery (fir Vaginal-to-Caesarean conversions)

The even include a list of what to do when you're in labour for easy reference. 

My Verdict:

Frankly, I am surprised that their maternity package prices are comparable to the other 2 hospitals I have visited. For the luxurious comfort of the spacious delivery suite and maternity ward they provide, the price is not as expensive as I expected.  

If I consider the fact that Daddy's stay is complimentary which will save us another about S$90/night. Also that they provide 12 hrs use of delivery suite unlike Thomson Medical (TMC) which provides only 8 hrs use of delivery suite, Mount E Novena may be even less expensive than TMC for normal delivery with epidural, with Daddy stay-in and assume 12 hr of delivery. 

The downside is that since this is a relatively new hospital which is opened in 2013, not all their nurses are very experienced. 
If we are lucky we may get experienced nurses they hired from Mount A/TMC.
If we are not lucky, we may get newbies. :(

It is really difficult to decide on the hospital for delivery since all hospitals have their pros and cons. 

Update: I have called in Mount Elizabeth Novena to check after I received queries from reader on the complimentary stay for Daddy. After clarification with their staff again, I am disappointed to reveal that the guide has provided wrong information during my maternity tour. Mount Elizabeth Novena will charge S$97 for companion with/without meals. :(((  

I'm still considering and may update you all more in the next post. 

You may check out my other maternity tour reviews from the following link:
1. Maternity Tour @ Mount Alvernia Hospital
2. Maternity Tour @ Thomson Medical Centre

Bye~~~

TwentySixOctober

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My Pregnancy Diary 3 - Review: Maternity Tour @ Mount Alvernia Hospital

Hi all,

I'm currently in my 26th week! I have been really busy for the past weekends checking my new house defects, preparing for renovation, baby stuff and visiting maternity tours.

I am trying to decide on the place for my delivery and have so far visited 2 maternity tours at Mount Alvernia and Thomson Medical Centre.

Today, I’ll like to share with you my maternity tour experience at Mount Alvernia Hospital.

At the start of the tour, each couple was given a goodie bag with information booklet, brochures and some free samples.

The tour guide went through the admission procedures and things to note before she brought us to see the delivery suite, maternity rooms and baby rooms.

Things to note:

• Mount Alvernia has a range of room types – suite, super deluxe, single delux, single, 2-bed, 4-bed.
• Only one companion is allowed to to stay over and only in single room. A companion fee of $80.25 (including GST) is chargeable (meal inclusive).
• Maternity Package only commence from the day of surgery/delivery which means if mother is admitted into hospital at night and delivered after 12am, additional charge of S$442 will be billed for the use of delivery facilities and room
• Maternity packages include the following:

a. Lodging, inclusive of meals (normal delivery – 3 days, 2 night, Caesarean section – 4 days, 3 nights)

b. Labour ward charges (up to 12 hrs) or operating theatre charges (depending on type of delivery)

c. Daily treatment fee for nursing services 

d. Baby’s immunisations (BCG, 1st doze of Hep B and Vitamin E).

e. Baby's blood tests for G6PD, TSH, Blood type

f. 1 complimentary group parent craft session – mon (10am to 11am), wed & fri (2pm to 3pm)

g. Maternity loop pad (1 packet)

h. Baby wipes (1 packet)

i. Baby’s bathtubj. Maternity discharge bagk. Basic toiletries (comb, shampoo, shower gel, shower cap, toothbrush, toothpaste, face towel, pen)

j. One time complimentary lactation consultation

Items not included in the package price: 
histology, X-Rays, blood cultures, haemoglucotest, blood transfusion, OT assistant fee, surcharges, baby hearing test,
metabolic test, abdominal binder, CTG monitoring and use of labour ward facility before emergency caesarean, use of peasant for induction of labour, antibiotics, blood test and phototherapy for babies with Jaundice, and drugs that are not commonly used are not included in the package price.

•  Maternity Package prices do not include doctors’ fees
• The hospital discharge time is anytime before 12 noon. For discharge between12 noon to 6pm, a half day room charge will be levied. For discharge after 6pm, a full-day room charge will apply.
• For Medisave paying patients, a deposit equivalent to the full package price of the selected maternity package will be collected at point of admission (payment via cash, NETS or credit card). For non Medidave-paying patients, the full package price plus $800 is payable as deposit upon admission.
• We are allowed to claim additional $450 for antenatal care upon submission of original receipts to admission staff
• Maternity packages for different wards are as followed:

After all the informative talk, the guide directed us to the admission counter and showed us the path to their labour wards. At this point, you may want to note down the direction to labour wards as you definitely will not want to be panickingly searching for the admission counter and labour ward during the big day. 

A photo of their labour ward.

On the day of our visit, all the single bed rooms were occupied so she showed us the 2-bed and 4-bed rooms instead.

After which, we were directed to the baby nursery. 

The guide also showed us their parenting craft room and we were glad to hear that there’s one complimentary parenting craft lesson where mommy and daddy can attend during their stay.

Mount Alvernia promotes breast feeding so they provide Medela breast pump for renting. We were advised not to bring our own breast pump as they do not provide cleaning service for personal breast pump.

At the end of the tour, we were each given a drink coupon to redeem free drink at their café.

Click Here (https://www.mtalvernia-hospital.org/maternity-packages/) to book your maternity tour now and to read more about their maternity packages. 

My Verdict:

I was initially very keen to deliver at Mount Alvernia as it’s walking distance from my place. Moreover, I have received many positive feedback from friends for their services and food.
I have also heard from people that Mount Alvernia has experienced and motherly nurses who know how to handle various delivery situations. They are also known to be good at providing breastfeeding tips.

However, after the maternity tour, I feel that their facilities and wards are quite old and used. The most discouraging news - they have very limited single room (12 single rooms only). We were told they do not allow reservation of room type and the room is subjected to availability on the day of admission. So there's no guarantee of single room. Mother will be placed in a 2-bedded room if single room is fully occupied. If 2-bedded rooms are also fully occupied, then mother will be transferred to 4-bedded room.

The uncertainty of single room availability is one thing which I am not comfortable with.

Being a first time mother, it will be good if my hubby can stay through the night with me after delivery. 

Update: In July 15, I have checked with Mount Alvernia and understand that there will be 8 new single rooms available from August 2015 onwards. Hurray!!

Can read more about other maternity review here:
Mount Elizabeth Novena
Thomson Medical Centre

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I have recently went to the SuperMom Carnival :) There were many goodies and they provided free photo-taking session on the day.

So happy with the photos taken on the day. 

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With Love,

TwentySixOctober

My Pregnancy Diary 2 - Prenatal Visits and Costs (Week 8 to Week 22)

Hi all,

Pregnancy has been a meaningful and wonderful journey where my hubby and I have so much to learn about.

Like all the different pregnancy symptoms at different weeks, the dos and don'ts during pregnancy, the things to buy for pregnancy, baby/ maternal insurance, deciding gynae, hospital and many more.

Luckily with technology and development of useful apps, we can find many information we need from Baby Apps and Internet.

The few very good apps which I have been using are:

1. What to Expect 

2. Baby Centre

Both which I think are really good

In What to Expect, after entering the expected due date into the app, there will be weekly update on the baby's development and also mummy's symptoms. Moreover, there are sharing of useful information and tips daily.

Beside sharing of the apps which I have been using during my pregnancy, I’ll share with you my experience during my prenatal visit and the costs of each visit. For those preparing to have baby, you can start saving because it seriously costs a lot!

My hubby and I agreed to find a gynae at Mount Alvernia where it’s very near out house (walking distance). We both prefer female gynae and have Googled a list of female gynae at Mount Alvernia.

We found the reviews of gynae from Internet and read many good reviews on Dr Kang Wee. Many said she is very motherly and experienced. We found her CV from Internet and read that she has practiced O&G for more than 20 years. Previously, she is a senior consultant in KK Women & Children Hospital and started her private practice in Aug 2011.

We decided on Dr Kang Wee and called to make appointment.

27 Dec 14: Our 1^st Gynae Visit – Our little Peanut is 7 or 8 week old.

Before our 1^st visit, the nurse has advised us to drink at least 1.5 litre of water before the visit. Initially, I thought it’s for urine test purpose but later realized that it is to allow better viewing of the baby during the ultrasound. Because the baby is too small during 7 weeks and need more water to allow better viewing.

During our 1^st gynae visit, Dr Kang Wee asked whether we are 1^st time parents. After a few simple Q&A, she performed an ultrasound. This is the 1^st time we saw our baby. It looks like a peanut (so cute!) from the ultrasound and we have decided to call he/she "xiao peanut" . Doctor measured the length of the baby and derived that it’s about 7 weeks old and our expected due date is 13 Aug.

Our gynae also prescribed prenatal vitamins and calcium for mummy.

Our next visit was scheduled in another 3 weeks time.

16 Jan 15: xiao peanut is 11 weeks

On our next visit, the gynae again performed the routine ultrasound to see the baby.

When she scanned it, she exclaimed “It’s so big already!”

Apparently, our baby has grew faster than expected. The gynae measured the size and said it’s in its 11^th week and told us the expected due date will be 8 Aug instead. Haha. “发发” it’s an auspicious due date. And we may be even expecting a National Day baby! :))

The gynae also asked whether we will like to perform the down syndrome test which have to be tested before week 14 and cost about $300++.

We read about the test and it seems to be a common test where most parent-to-be will take. We thought about it and decided to opt out. Reason being we will not choose to give up the baby regardless of the result so we choose to not take.

 

13 Feb 15: 15 weeks. Maybe a boy?

In this visit, the baby looks more like a little baby where we can see the head and body. The doctor even spotted something between the legs but couldn't be sure. She said this may be a baby boy but normally it can only be more confirmed in the 4 – 5 month so will be the next visit.

I'm asked to perform a blood test which is supposed to be a routine test to check on blood counts and any other abnormality.

6 March 15: 18 week. Baby is hiding the gender. And we may have to change Gynae :(

In this visit, we are supposed to find out the gender of the baby.

During the ultrasound, we saw the baby moving and shaking his body. It’s so cute.

We are excited to see the baby’s gender. But I guess our baby wanna keep mummy and daddy in suspension. Our gynae cannot be sure of the gender because the umbilical cod was between the baby’s legs. So no choice, we have to wait till the next checkout.

She also went through my blood test results which showed that I have slightly low red blood count which may be due to either iron deficiency or an hereditary blood disorder called Thalassemia (read more by clicking). This is generally harmless with no symptom if we are just the carrier. However, if both father and mother are carriers of Thalassemia, the baby will be affected. So she said it’s better to for the father to take the blood test as well.

There's also a not so good news. When we consulted about the prenatal visit package, our gynae told us that she has stopped the package because she may stop her O&G practice due to a policy change that requires her to pay for insurance post-retirement. Dr Kang Wee was near retirement age and may not want to continue practising if this policy is implement. She mentioned she can only let us know by end April. So there’s a chance that we may change gynae. :(

27 March 2015 – Detailed ultrasound. It’s a boy! xiao peanut at his 21^st week.

We did the detailed ultra sound at KKH because typically gynae don't have the ability to do detail scanning at their clinic. We are able to see the skull, spine, heart, kidney, stomach, the main arteries in the heart, face and the full body... and the doctor has confirmed the gender of the baby is boy! :)) From the ultra sound picture, the gynae said the baby looks like daddy.

I have to admit there are similarities especially the big nose. Haha.

I felt so touched when I saw the baby moving during the ultrasound session.

The gynae said he is very active and kept moving, giving her a hard time to capture the image of the baby organs.

The results of all the scans are positive. The baby is growing well and healthy except that my placenta is a little low which it’s common during 5 months pregnancy. I have to avoid vigorous activities and it should be fine if there’s no spotting.

After we know the gender of our baby. My hubby starts to search for the baby's name.

Initially, I thought of calling him Weagan because it's the name we gave to our monkey soft toy which is a special gift my hubby bought for me during our 1^st month together. I thought it will be meaningful to call our baby Weagan. Haha. But my hubby disagreed. He think Weagan sounds a little too cute and hope for a more mature name for our baby. He suggest “Aedan” which is a Irish boy name that means “born of fire”. I agreed with him that Aedan sounds nicer and I do like the meaning of this name.

So after a short debate, we decided to call our little boy Aedan. We hope he will live his life with passion and fire.

I feel so much closer with him now when he has his name and I feel his movement in my tummy more frequently. :) It’s great joy thinking that Aedan is with me in my tummy all this time. 


09 April 2015 – Week 22. Baby is active and we finally decided on our new Gynae

We have finally decided on our new gynae, Dr Goh Shen Li. Again, we prefer female Gynae and have read reviews from forums to find a younger Gynae so as to ensure that she will not choose to stop practice after the new policy is implementation. 
I am after week 20 so I thought it's a good time to decide on my Gynae and to sign maternity package to reduce the consultation costs. 

I read many good review on Dr Goh Shen Li, Moreover, her package price is more reasonable than many other gynae at Mount Alvernia. She is charging S$880 (excluding GST) for 10 sessions which include consultation, ultrasound scan and routine test. Her package starts at 14 weeks unlike many other which starts after 20 week. It will be good if we have decided to visit her earlier.

Without package, her price will be as followed:

• 1st consultation: S$110 
• Follow up consultation: S$80
• 1st ultrasound scan: S$60
• Follow up ultrasound: S$40
• Routine test: S$5

We are quite satisfied with her service during our first consultation with her. She is more patient during the scan and she will try to capture more movements of the baby.  We saw the baby stretching and touching his face. We have brought along all our previous test reports which she has also went through thoroughly with us. We have obtained the father's blood test report and we are glad that daddy's blood is normal and is not Thalassemia carrier. :)
We told her that during our detailed ultrasound scan, the report shows that my placenta is slightly low. She assured us that this is normal during 20 weeks and the placenta will slowly move up during later stage.

I have done an excel sheet of the costs of my prenatal visits so far. We have signed up for the prenatal package for 10 session after 20 weeks and hope this will help save some money. 

Week	Clinic	Items	Amount
8	Kang Clinic For Women	1st consultation	$120.00
		Routine Test	$10.00
		Ultrasound	$60.00
		Metoclopramide - 20 tab	$4.00
		Gestacare multi vitamin - one box	$15.00
		Bonacal - one large bottle	$38.00
		Total + GST	$264.29
11	Kang Clinic For Women	Follow up constultation	$70.00
		Routine Test	$10.00
		Ultrasound	$60.00
		Gestacare multi vitamin - one box	$15.00
		Total + GST	$165.85
15	Kang Clinic For Women	Follow up consultation	$70.00
		Routine Test	$10.00
		Ultrasound	$60.00
		Antenatal profile - blood test on mother	$70.00
		Gestacare multi vitamin - one box	$15.00
		Qualibrain - fish oil	$65.00
		Total + GST	$310.30
18	Kang Clinic For Women	Follow up consultation	$70.00
		Routine Test	$10.00
		Ultrasound	$80.00
		HB Electrophoresis - blood test on father	$45.00
		Gestacare multi vitamin - one box	$15.00
		Qualibrain - fish oil	$65.00
		Bonacal - one large bottle	$38.00
		Sangobion - 30 tab	$9.00
		Total + GST	$355.24
20	KK's Women & Children	1st consultation at KK	$105.00
		FA/High risk obstetric scan - detail ultrascan	$141.00
		Total + GST	$263.22
22	SL Goh Women's Clinic	Top up for new case in package	$87.00
		Antenatal Package for 10 session	$880.00
		Package includes:
		Follow up consultation
		Ultrasound
		Routine Test
		Hemoplex capsules - 30 tab	$11.60
		Total + GST	$1,047.10
		Total prenatal cost	$2,406.00

Though we met a little hipcup  (as we have to change gynae). we are glad that at least our baby Aedan is growing healthily and everything is fine.

The money is worth it as long as baby is well. :)


With love,
Twentysixoctober

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