Ling, will u be re-touring MAH? Just wanna share my tour experience with you too. Both hubby and I chose MAH. But another couple we know who are also expecting, felt better about TMC, so it's all very individual, just go with the one you're more comfortable with. For myself, I also asked my gynae which he recommends. He also said both are about the same, but his own preference is MAH. All his kids were born there. I asked what if I want C-sec, he also said MAH, but he kept stressing that I should go see both for myself, as it's ultimately my comfort level. I had already made up my mind to tour both anyway, cos I heard many good things about TMC.
During the tour itself, I didn't really like the common areas at TMC. Not sure who was the person showing us around, I didn't hear her introduce herself as I could hardly hear her half the time. At the delivery suite, she didn't elaborate much, just said this is where we give birth, and they weigh the baby outside. When I asked how come we can't take pics or video in the delivery suite, she just said it was hospital policy. It was only when she was walking next to me that she told me personally that actually, if my gynae allows taking photo/video, then the hospital will allow it. I found it strange that how come she wasn't sharing this info with everyone. We were shown all the expensive suites and the single bedder, and not any 2 or 4 bedder rooms, maybe those were all taken up. There was renovation going on, but she did not mention anything about it, until I asked her about it. I wondered if they were just trying not to bring attention to it, cos it may cause some ppl not to stay there? But i'm not too bothered, cos reno would be finished in couple months time. The tour was rather brisk and impersonal. But she did have all the info, and all the wards and rooms are nice and newly renovated.
At MAH, we were shown around by Sister Raj, who brought us to delivery suite, and explained what the procedure was from checking in to checking out, and what every piece of equipment in the room was for. Very detailed. She showed us the nursery (from the outside of cos), and told us what goes on in there, showed us the UV machine etc. Then she brought us around all the different types of rooms. She was very friendly and warm (even had a short chat with me about my gynae), and I think that swayed my opinion of the place (I used to think MAH is very dilapidated and didn't like it). One couple turned up late, and I overheard her telling them to just join us for now, and she will personally take them round again to the areas that they missed. All the staff we came across were really nice, and the whole place felt nicer in general, while TMS felt brisk and impersonal to me. Hubby also agreed that he felt better about MAH in general compared to TMC, he said something about the staff all sounding like the actually know what they're doing.
Regardless, don't stress over it, both are good hospitals, I'm sure you'll be fine in either one
BTW, what's this "shi san tai bao" tonic you're drinking? I know nothing about chinese herbs haha...
bbjun, u're right, I would be too excited to fall asleep at the wheel haha... Take care of your back ya? Mine feeling the strain too, especially cos I have slipped disc. My spine doc told me to continue doing all my back therapy exercises, but some involve using a big balance ball, so I'm skipping those cos I'm afraid of falling off the ball!