Help from any kind soul

[Boozaa]

Greetings ladies and gentlemen(if there is any), am new to this forum and hope you guys might help me a little.

My girlfriend just told me that she had seek medical attention with a docter a few days back and was announced that she was expecting.

Nevertheless, we have firmly decided to give this little one a new life. As such, i hope the seniors here would guide me along. As the doctor told my girlfriend she is 7weeks pregnant.

What would be the next step to take ?

I have read thru the forum slightly but come to no conclusions Firstly, i should find a gynae ? But any recommendations ? Should I proceed to the ones at neighbourhood areas, those which states 'women's clinic' or proceed straight to KKH, Thomson Medical etc etc..

Secondly, what would be the charges like. I saw comments like $650 after 12th visit and stuff.. Really have no idea where is it. Able to pay by credit card ?

Pls do guide me along.. Thanks

 

[sane]

Congrats of being a dad soon. For the selection of gynae, it is really up to individual.

Some choose by preference, preferably nearer to their workplace, word by mouth etc.
Perhaps u might like to check your friends for recommendation.

If you have no financial difficulties, u might like to choose a private gynae.

And if you really have no idea, you might like to pop into KK O&G and they will allocate a gynae to u.

It's all payable by credit card.

 

[Stephanie Lim]

Congrats to the new little life.. Hope your gf's pregnancy is a smooth one with no morning sickness etc.

Let me see if I can help with anything based on my personal experience...

Pre-natal
Gynae: Dr Chia Yee Tien, The Ob and Gy Practice at Mount Elizabeth medical centre. She has more than a decade of gynae experience. First few visits I paid by per consultation about 100-200 plus excluding Oscar test and health supplements. Think until sometime near end of 2nd trimester, you may need to decide to sign up package until baby's delivery. It cost me around S$2k for normal delivery excluding hospital ward charges. I stayed in 2-bedder at mount e hospital natural birth with epidural and I think that cost me another S$4k excluding medisave deductions.

Post-natal
Confinement: if getting a confinement lady -S$2.5k -S$3k depending on exp and whether is it on cny period. Confinement food charges separately ~S$1.2k-S$2 depending on cost of tonics etc or who is cooking for you
Post-natal massage: optional but if gf wishes to do: S$500 onwards per package

Baby stuffs
Breast pump: Medela double pump (~S$700-S$800) depending on model and how many spare parts
Milk bottles: ~S$15-S$20 per bottle depending on brand and size
If your gf is planning to breastfeed, it is virtually cost-free. Perhaps just need to get her nursing tops, nursing bras, nursing dresses, nursing cover =~S$200-S$300
Clothings (for 1-3 months old) mittens, socks, rompers, t-shirts, swaddling cloth, washcloths= S$100- S$200 depending on brand and material
Beddings: baby pillow, bedsheet, baby cot, blanket, bumper = S$100- S$1,000 depending on what type of baby cot. If you are planning to have bb co-sleep with you, cost should be below S$100 depending on brand of blanket
Miscellaneous items: infant toys, night light, baby soothing music device, wall paper to decorate room, bath tub etc= $$$ depending on what you want to get.
Stroller: ~S$500-S$2k depending on brand
Diapering : newborn on average uses 8pcs of diapers everyday but after 3rd month bb uses less= S$50- S$100 per month (including wet wipes) depending on brand. I don't use wet wipe that often after my bb turned 6 months old. I bring her to the wash basin or bathroom and clean with water directly. It is much more hygienic, environmentally friendly and cost-saving. Buy in bulk can help you save money and sometimes they come with free delivery.
Milk and food: if not breastfeeding, milk powder cost ~S$70- S$200 per month depending on brand of milk powder. Food wise, only feed them purée food after 6 months of life and cost is negligible because they eat really very little. Milk is still their main source of nutrients etc
Insurance: life insurance and hospitalisation plan highly recommend to get
Sterilising and cleaning: bottle or vege washer, baby detergent, toiletries, steam steriliser ~S$200- S$300 depending on brand of steriliser. Bottle or vege washer and baby detergent can get very cheap at Chinatown market if you are not fussy with brand. Consumption should be 1 packet per month.
Vaccination: free for sgp baby for basic immunisation at polyclinics. Just do it at polyclinic, there is priority queue for babies and there is no difference in terms of the vaccination "drugs" for public vs private clinics. If you prefer private, I know some PDs charge as high as S$2k for a package which may include some jabs that are not really necessary.

My initial upfront cost from day 1 of pregnancy until my bb was 3 months old was above S$10k not including her jaundice treatment, medical cost. I did not hire a confinement lady, bb co-sleep with me, I got freebies from friends and relatives, baby shower presents etc.

If you guys are planning to get married legally, the baby bonus will surely help to offload the cost.

I'm sure I have missed out some items, but there are just too many to list out here.

In any case, just enjoy the pregnancy and celebrate the new life on the way!

Let me know if you wanna get some items brand new or preloved as I may have some for your consideration.

 

[bbtessa]

It depends on your financial situation. If you do not have much savings, I highly recommend that you see a gynae in KKH. They do not have very personal or fantastic service but the rates are at least 50% less.

 

[Feathery]

Be prepared the gynae visits will range ard $150-200 for private gynaes. Excluding supplements.

When she is ard 12-14 weeks, gynae will ask if u guys wanna go for mainly 2 types of non invasive test, the oscar or harmony. U can google abt these 2 online they r pretty self explanatory n mainly detects chromosomal defects in babies. Charges for oscar is ard $300+ n harmony is $850+ at mount Elizabeth. The invasive type is amniocentesis which requires drawing the amniotic fluid thru the stomach with a needle n has it's risk which is usually nt recommended unless the oscar or harmony gives u a very bad reading.

Den the package usually start frm 20th week onwards which includes detailed scan telling u whether u hav boy or girl. This package range frm $600+ to $1000 depending on who u r seeing. Sm gynae charge higher. My sister is seeing dr adrian woodworth n he is ard the $600+ range. This package covers future consultation n scan charges. Sm gynae include supplements in their package some dont. This again, u hav to ask ard or read the threads in this forum. Sm mummies have compared a few.

Im nt sure abt kk hosp though but i noe the waiting time at kk will b quite long. Hope this helps

 

[sane]

It depends on your financial situation. If you do not have much savings, I highly recommend that you see a gynae in KKH. They do not have very personal or fantastic service but the rates are at least 50% less.

Don't mislead them hehe ....
Each visit of O&G cost an average of $160+ exclude medication. My last visit cost $300++ where got cheap

For subsidy , I think have to get a referral letter from poly and see gynae as a c class patient? Any mummies can advise?

 

[sfnaz]

Don't mislead them hehe ....
Each visit of O&G cost an average of $160+ exclude medication. My last visit cost $300++ where got cheap

For subsidy , I think have to get a referral letter from poly and see gynae as a c class patient? Any mummies can advise?

I think BBtessa meant the fees for KKH if u go through subsidized route maybe? If thats the case then it is indeed less 50%...with the referral from poly as mentioned by sane.

Not too sure of the exact amount but i heard its affordable but the wait is long and the service is not really awesome. If its not subsidized route then it should be around $100 plus. The additional costs all depends on medications and any additional test / scans u take on.

Im a private patient at KKH and my bill ranges aroundd $100+ per visit. Never went beyond $180 though.

Best step right now is to go poly and get a referral to KKH to do a viability scan of the pregnancy. U can change gynae or hospital anytime along the way. There's time to find out which suits ur situation best.

 

[sane]

I think BBtessa meant the fees for KKH if u go through subsidized route maybe? If thats the case then it is indeed less 50%...with the referral from poly as mentioned by sane.

Not too sure of the exact amount but i heard its affordable but the wait is long and the service is not really awesome. If its not subsidized route then it should be around $100 plus. The additional costs all depends on medications and any additional test / scans u take on.

Im a private patient at KKH and my bill ranges aroundd $100+ per visit. Never went beyond $180 though.

Best step right now is to go poly and get a referral to KKH to do a viability scan of the pregnancy. U can change gynae or hospital anytime along the way. There's time to find out which suits ur situation best.

The consultation fee for the A . Prof that I choose at the private suite already cost $145++ exclude scan and supplements.I hope is to see him once every 2 months instead of monthly, save waiting time and $$.
However, dr is v friendly and goes into lengths to do a thorough body check up and discussed about preventive measures because of my past medical history. He is very detailed in reading the scan.
Not the rushing type and he also prepare me for the next trimester making me feeling safe and assured under him.

For subsidy patients, from what I heard is not allowed to choose gynae , seeing different ones each time and upon delivery, they will assign a MO or a midwife.

 

[Boozaa]

Firstly, thank you thank you thank you to kind souls.

For solving my question mark. My girlfriend and I have decided to get married next year and both of us are 25 this year. Have been working for the past 4 years and I guess we count ourself as financially stable. But this little angel decides to come out a bit early as such we decided to enjoy this joyful one.

Have proceeded to a Thomson's medical clinic located at Sembawang this afternoon and consulted Dr Lawrence Ang. Have heard a number of good reviews pertaining to him. Fee for today is $180/- and package will be taken at 3rd session for $650/-.

Any good reviews to share with me ?

 

[sfnaz]

Firstly, thank you thank you thank you to kind souls.

For solving my question mark. My girlfriend and I have decided to get married next year and both of us are 25 this year. Have been working for the past 4 years and I guess we count ourself as financially stable. But this little angel decides to come out a bit early as such we decided to enjoy this joyful one.

Have proceeded to a Thomson's medical clinic located at Sembawang this afternoon and consulted Dr Lawrence Ang. Have heard a number of good reviews pertaining to him. Fee for today is $180/- and package will be taken at 3rd session for $650/-.

Any good reviews to share with me ?

Yupp, the best way is to read up reviews and get real reviews from others unfortunately i have none to share with regard to TMC. So sorry cos this is my first also!

Nevertheless, congrats on the bundle of joy! It is heartwarming to see daddies on this forum chipping in to help out with the pregnancy in any way they can! Kudos

 

[sane]

Firstly, thank you thank you thank you to kind souls.

For solving my question mark. My girlfriend and I have decided to get married next year and both of us are 25 this year. Have been working for the past 4 years and I guess we count ourself as financially stable. But this little angel decides to come out a bit early as such we decided to enjoy this joyful one.

Have proceeded to a Thomson's medical clinic located at Sembawang this afternoon and consulted Dr Lawrence Ang. Have heard a number of good reviews pertaining to him. Fee for today is $180/- and package will be taken at 3rd session for $650/-.

Any good reviews to share with me ?

Good rates. I heard good reviews about Dr Ang too.
Enjoy the journey and all the best