I believe the hospital bill is one of the major concerns for most new parents out there. Therefore I'm here to share my part on my hospital bill so you mummies have an idea how much to prepare when you check out from the hospital with your LO!
I was recommended Dr Adelina Wong from Thomson Medical Centre by my family doctor after we confirmed our first pregnancy with her. Both of them happened to be classmates from NUS so frankly speaking, I didn't do much research of other gynaecologists as I trust my family doctor's recommendation. And all I can say is, I am absolutely satisfied with Dr Wong's services!
MY BIRTH STORY
A little background summary regarding my birth experience!
Delivery Hospital: Thomson Medical Centre
Delivery Method: Natural Delivery with no epidural
Room Type: Normal single bedded ward
My EDD was on 5th October 2016 (same birthday as hubby) but I gave birth on 3rd October 2016 instead haha. So I was pretty much in my full term already when lilmisspoh comes out thank god.
So this is how lilmisspoh's birth-day starts;
0500hrs: I woke up to pee. Can't seem to fall asleep already afterwards.
0700hrs: I start to feel uncomfortable! Like having menstrual cramp. Wake hubby up to complain about my discomfort.
0715hrs: Felt something 'flowing out'. Changed 3 undies within 0.5hr? Then I decided to wear pads. At that time, I'm was so stupid to not link it to 'water break' gosh. Just kept thinking its just normal discharge? I know I sound dumb here. Please don't judge lol.
0745hrs: Discussed with hubby whether or not to go hospital. At that point of time, I don't really feel like going as it's still 3 Oct >.< I want 5 Oct! WTS. In addition, I read online that even if we feel slight discomfort, it doesn't really mean that baby is coming out? I just do not wish to end up in the hospital early for nothing.
0800hrs: Hubby made breakfast. Watch C.L.I.F 4 with hubby and BIL.
0819hrs: Called my sister that maybe I'm going to give birth today lol.
0835hrs: Visited the toilet again to pee. Got blood!!!!!! #shitjustgotreal Told hubby that I'm bleeding. First thing he said is actually to tell me to go shower first. I still have the mood to do my routine skincare, put on some light makeup (eyeliner, eyebrow, undereye concealer) and drink coconut water.
0930hrs: We were out of the house with our barang barang which I packed 2 weeks before my EDD.
All ready for our 3D2N "vacation" The luggage is our hospital bag whereas the black bag is my delivery bag. |
Placed a protection sheet on my car seat in case my water breaks in middle of the trip to the hospital! |
1000hrs: Reached TMC. Water break while I was waiting for the lift to the labour ward. My water was literally flowing down my legs as I wait for the lift. It was pretty embarrassing as there were a couple of men and women waiting for the lift as well.
1010hrs: Got guided into birth room #9 by the labour nurse. Changed into TMC birth robe.
Just wait only. Mummies please wear socks as the delivery room is COLD! |
1020hrs: Labour nurse checked on me. 2cm dilation
1200hrs: TMC served me porridge as breakfast. I was pretty surprised as I thought I won't be able to eat anymore in the delivery room. Nursie advice me to eat so I will have the energy to push later haha.
My brunch before pushing! |
Still feeling pretty okay in this photo as the full blast contraction haven't kicks in on me! |
1500hrs plus: Gynae Adelina came in to check on me. Told me my dilation is only 3cm. Wts. 1cm dilation only within 5 hrs?!?! After which, she suggested to put me on a drip that helps to escalate dilation. This is when the pain really kicks in. As I'm not on any pain killer, I can really feel the gradual increase in the intensity of the contraction. Its like menstrual cramp initially and slowly escalate to mega menstrual cramp. Like someone squeezing your uterus from inside???
My only support in the delivery room. My hubby really plays a very important role in calming me down! |
My only pain relief - laughing gas. |
Hence, laoniang decided to grit on and finally at 6plus pm, my #lilmisspoh is out!
Our first family photo!=) |
My family with our gynae Dr Adelina Wong =) |
The 3D2N stay in TMC after delivery simply feels like a vacation haha. I don't need to do anything beside nursing her, eat and sleep. All the taking care of baby is handled by the nurse as there's this thing called "nursery" in the hospital lol. I'm so grateful for the nurse's advice to have ample rest and let baby stay in nursery during my stay in hospital as I'm sure not going to get any after returning home. She's so right gosh.
Some of the food offered in TMC. Their papaya fish soup really lives up to its popularity! |
So this is how the single bedroom looks like. There's a sofa bed where hubby can sleep on overnight. Not very comfortable but hubs say as long as its better than his army bunk will do lol. |
MY HOSPITAL BILL
Page 1 of my Hospital Bill |
There are 2 parts to the hospital bill; Hospital charges and Doctors Fees. My Hospital Charges (Natural Delivery w/o epidural) is $4296.64, which I think is pretty affordable for a private hospital 3D2N stay in a single bedded room. However, my Doctors' Fee is $4119.50, including my baby's paediatrician checkup which includes jaundice, all the 5 senses checks (hearing, eyesight, etc) and basic body checkup. I was actually not aware that there will be this PD charges. Overall, I find my doctors' fee pretty hefty as I thought it will be around 3K plus including the $2140 deposit we paid to our gynae during my week 24 pregnancy? Oh well..
So after Medisave deduction (maximum $2550), the amount of cash we need to fork out in total is approximately $5800 (including the Doctor Deposit $2140 and Hospital Deposit $3500)
I hope this post offers an insight to new mummies out there regarding delivery in TMC and the estimated hospital bill!
I hope this post offers an insight to new mummies out there regarding delivery in TMC and the estimated hospital bill!