Total Cost of Having a Baby in Singapore

[BabyBudgeter]

Could anyone tell me what the total cost would be for having a baby in Singapore- including: normal delivery, private hospital costs and all gynaecological check-ups? Is Singapore $7000 too low an estimate? Should I add on another $3000-5000 for a complicated delivery?

[Me, Myself and I]

Gave birth at Mt Elizabeth Hospital 2 years ago under the care of Dr Mary Rauff.  Total cost was about $5500.  This included fairly normal delivery, epidural, vacuum extraction and 5 day stay in private room with hubby staying in as well.

[Tony]

Assume $5 - 5.5k for normal delivery. This includes monthly check up and scans and all the doc's charges. Here the doctor runs the show rather than midwives so the doctor you sign up with for the initial check will probably also deliver.

[Jana]

I will be moving to Singapore from USA. My medical insurance was fine here (we did not pay a cent for pre-natal, delivery and post-natal care). I have a question: Do I read this that there is no way I can insure these cost in Singapore? Your help is highly appreciated.

[InvisibleExpat]

there are companies that provide maternity cover but usually with a 10 to 12 month waiting time.  Locally one is CGU insurance.  Or do a search for expat insurance packages.  

There are a range of waiting times available with different companies, ranging from 6 months to a year.  

good luck!

[This message has been edited by BoardManager (edited 07-08-2002).]

[BabyBudgeter]

Dear All,
Thank you for your responses- 5.5k is cheaper than I expected. In reponse to the query aboutinsurance cover- I'm not sure about your US policy operating here (it should I think) but AIA do one called 'Global Health' and you only have to not be pregnant for the first three months of the policy. It covers you for up to USD5000 for normal delivery and USD8000 for complicated delivery. The policy costs USD 1100.  

[Russkie Dragon]

We had our first kid three months ago at Thomson. It was a forceps delivery (OUCH!!), so it was I think 100 bucks extra. Anyway, the doc's package cost $1600, plus miscellaneous tests and medicines in the process, I'd estimate it came out to about $2k in the end. Hospital was a rip off. The labour was 32 hours long so we got charged extra for staying too long in the delivery suite. Then we stayed an extra day in the hospital - we had a single which was $360/night. I staid with my wife for two nights, that was another $60/night. Kid developed jaundice so they put him udner the billi light, which is 180/day. Night care for the kid (mom was too exhausted and wanted to get some sleep) was 50/night. Plus painkillers, various pills, stitches for episiotomy (sp?), epidural, pediatrician to come in to check on the kid while he was still in hospital... The bill came out to about $6500. Add the original $2000 and you get $8.5K all in for 9 months care. Pricey as hell. For this much we could have flown my wife back home first class and have her give birth in the best private hospital with everything made out of gold (ok, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point).

As a side note, I think most people who gave birth here or were treated for anything by local doctors have encountered the fact that local docs love to put you through tons of tests for no evident purpose other than to collect your money. We've fallen victim a couple of times to such things as reputable clinics, so now we go to see only expat docs. Sad to say, but please do be careful AND do your own research if you suspect you might have a medical condition. Don't be afraid to get a second or even a third opinion, cuz it might end up saving you a lot of money!  

[BabyBudgeter]

Thanks for the advice Ruskie Dragon- will take note and avoid Thompson Medical and non-expat doc's. Just have to get pregnant now...

[Bay]

Dear Babybudgeter

I wouldn't write off Thompson Medical if I were you.  The other private hospitals are much more expensive and the experience that Ruskie Dragon had, if repeated at Gleneagles or Mt E would have cost more.  

For example at Gleneagles they charge you for everylittle thing, down to $14 per bottle of sugar water that they give the babies under bilirubin lights, and $5.03 for every sanitary napkin.  They even charge you for the disposable razor to prep you and the alchol swab to clean wounds.

Ruskie Dragon's experience sounds typically Singaporean rather than specific to Thompson.  Generally speaking the other privates are considered more flash, and the medical care, especially the nursing staff, is considered better at Thompson.

Most OBGYN's will deliver where ever you specify, but be careful about making a decision on who delivers your care based on someone else's experience of only one place.  Go and check all the hospitals out yourself.

Good luck getting pregnant.

[BabyBudgeter]

Thanks Bay,
Actually, have heard bad things about all of the hospitals- especially re charging for eveyrthing (most notably Gleneagles and Mt Elizabeth). Guess I will try to find a good gynae first and take it from there. Thanks for the best wishes.