Visited three hospitals over the past two days, namely Mount E Novena, Thomson Medical, and Mount Alvernia.

Mount E Novena lives up to its impression of being posh and hotel-like. Only single rooms and above, spacious corridors, there was only 1 baby in the nursery when we visited; privacy much. Didn’t like the Longan Ginger Tea for confinement (ginger causes more jaundice?) and concerned about additional costs if labour is difficult and needs to go for emergency c-sect.

Thomson Medical is very crowded/narrow/busy and we were totally turned off by the valet carpark system. We did not need the valet if the car park would just have a lot to begin with! We can’t imagine going through this on the day of delivery and generally, we are just not too impressed with TMC. What was tempting was their Single Room Guarantee – if you had booked a Single Room but there is no availability on your delivery day, then TMC would provide a complimentary upgrade or $100 waiver if you have to downgrade.

Mount A is the default choice given that my sisters have given birth there. I am convinced that essentially it is the whole team that counts: Midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, Paediatricians.

• There are 2 nurses for each delivery, 1 to attend to the mummy, and 1 to care for the baby. Nurses will monitor mummy for 1 hour to ensure uterus is contracting well and no bleeding before mummy returns to the ward. This was especially important to me as a friend had a bad tear at KKH and fainted in her ward – I do not know if it was negligent of the doctor or the nurses but she says her tear was a stage 4 and couldn’t be helped. Took her 6 months to recover. Ouch.
• The midwives are well-known to be experienced and helpful to ensure a smooth delivery.
• After breakfast, nurses will facilitate bonding session for mummy and baby, and teach mummy how to care for baby.
• There is a complimentary Parentcraft session which parents can attend even after discharge.
• Also, a complimentary lactation consultation at your ward the morning after delivery. Heard of the lactation consultants coming back for follow-up visit and sounds like there’s no additional charge which is great.

The eateries are located together unlike Mount E Novena where we had to hunt a little for the eatery. Mount A is more like our league, normal chinese dishes at 820, subway, jollibean, sushi deli. Mount E Novena is more high class with Starbucks and Samsara.

Notes for Mount Alvernia:

• If admit at 11pm, deliver next day then have to pay an extra day for the delivery ward on top of the Maternity Packages as the Maternity Package starts only from the day of delivery. Best to go after midnight.
• If no single room is available, and you are downgraded, then you will be charged for the downgraded room. If you are upgraded, then you will be charged for the upgraded room – there is no complimentary upgrade.
• If you have choose to downgrade, and it is not because of hospital room availability, you will still be charged the price for your booking instead of the downgraded room. This means there is no point to choose to downgrade. Better to start with a lower grade room, then choose to upgrade.
• No complimentary parking. Can register 1 IU for $8/day parking.

In view of the room upgrading and pricing policy, I will opt for Mount A 2-bed.