As mentioned in the general page having a baby in Singapore can be quite a different experience for you compared to your (original) 'home'. On this page we aim to give you some basic information on 'having a baby' in Singapore.
Doctors and Hospitals
Assuming it was not an accident (and even if it was) you probably suspect you, or your wife, are pregnant at a point in time. This can easily be checked with one of the many pregnancy tests available at the pharmacies.
If your hopes are confirmed your next stop is likely to be your GP or, if you don't have one yet you could visit a general clinic or specialized clinic to 'confirm' the pregnancy. If the pregnancy is confirmed you will be referred to a gynecologists / obstetrician for check-ups during the further pregnancy. There are doctors all over the island but there are some clusters where they are specialized and where there are 'in-house' delivery rooms such as Thomson Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth Hospital where you will see a lot of foreigners too. If they are near your residence these may be convenient. Note that the practises are generally private. Another item of note is that delivery at home is not common in Singapore.
Another advantage of these clusters is that they have pediatricians too, even if not attached to the gynecologists practice, which you will need after birth.
Consider you will need to pay most visits and medicine by cash or card during your visit unless your insurer can make an arrangement, check how this works early to avoid surprises. More on hospitals and insurances in our medical section.
After the birth some countries have a specialized baby care clinic where the baby gets checked on a regular basis and gets his/her shots. In Singapore you only have an, initial, monthly visit to the pediatrician.
Post natal care by a specialized nurse is also not a standard Singapore feature but if you already have a maid also less necessary, provided she has experience with babies. There are ladies specialized in post natal care for the ladies according to traditional Chinese or Malay ways, including specific food and massages / wraps but this may not 'suit' many foreigners.
Registration
Too important to forget, register the birth as soon as possible. You may be able to do this at the hospital where you deliver, this is likely up to the husband. Make sure you have your passports, marriage certificate or equivalent available together with the 'live delivery' form. You will also need to register with your embassy and procedures differ so check what they need with them first, if the Singapore certificate needs to be legalized you may not want to have it laminated (a standard procedure).
If you read this out of necessity; Congratulations!
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