Last Updated on June 27, 2023 by Parentology

Pregnancy is said to be one of the most joyous periods of time in one’s life.

However, being pregnant in Singapore comes with a whole suite of decisions that you and your spouse will have to make, and one of the main questions is – should you give birth in a public or private hospital?

There are various pros and cons of both options, and you will need to carefully weigh these factors to make an informed decision.

 

An estimate of the costs involved

Perhaps one of the most important factors when deciding on the type of hospital to stay in is the relevant costs involved.

According to data from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the average cost for prenatal genetic tests can range from S$650 to over S$1,500. To add on, hospital births usually begin at around S$1,200, and can go all the way up to above S$13,000 at private hospitals

The MOH Bill Estimator is a good tool to use to estimate the cost of your hospital stay depending on your individual needs, and the hospital you choose to stay in.

To begin, simply key in “birth” into the search console as illustrated in the image above. You can then click on the option that you are interested in, and the site will display a benchmark of the bills that you might have to pay

While it is just an estimate and the final cost will depend on the type of treatment required and whether you have to undergo any emergency processes, it can give you a good idea of how much you need to prepare for a hospital stay in various hospitals.

 

 

Pros and cons of giving birth in a public hospital in Singapore

While public hospitals are more affordable, there are some trade-offs, which include longer waiting and processing times, and having to process insurance claims by yourself.

Though non-exhaustive, the table below illustrates some of the possible pros and cons of giving birth in a public hospital in Singapore.

Pros of giving birth in a public hospital in Singapore	Cons of giving birth in a public hospital in Singapore
Less costly	Longer admin and waiting times due to a higher volume of patients
The hospital is better equipped to handle emergencies during or after birth	Stricter visiting hours
You are more likely to have a midwife led birth if you request for it	You will need to process the insurance claims yourself

 

Best public hospitals in Singapore for giving birth

Here are some public hospitals in Singapore that are well known for professionality and good service when dealing with giving birth.

The KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) delivers over 30 babies a day, and you can be sure that the staff there are extremely knowledgeable about the whole process. The hospital also has a perinatal team on standby, so any emergencies can be dealt with quickly.

The Singapore General Hospital is a reliable choice, and also has a confinement menu. However, you might not be able to get a room of your choice due to the volume of patients that go through the hospital each day.

Lastly, the National University Hospital (NUH) specializes in high-risk obstetrics, and provides comprehensive care for at-risk infants. It has a cardiology, ICU, neonatal care and pediatric surgery departments.

NUH is thus one of the top choices for giving birth in Singapore, as parents can be sure that their infants will be in good hands.

 

 

Pros and cons of giving birth in a private hospital in Singapore

A private hospital is more costly, but it might be the chosen option for those who would like a more premium setting, with private rooms on demand.

The table below illustrates some of the possible pros and cons of giving birth in a private hospital in Singapore.

Pros of giving birth in a private hospital in Singapore	Cons of giving birth in a private hospital in Singapore
A more premium experience with private rooms on demand	More costly than a public hospital
You will be guaranteed an OBGYN of your choice	If you face an emergency during or after birth, you might be transferred to a public hospital that has more specialized expertise
Quicker admin and check-in process due to the smaller volume of patients at the hospital

 

Best private hospitals in Singapore for giving birth

Here are some of the top choices for parents when looking for a private hospital to give birth in.

First, Gleneagles Singapore is well-known for its extensive confinement menu that is produced in partnership with TCM experts from Eu Yan Sang. The hospital also provides lactation consultants, and classes for parents helmed by midwives.

Mount Elizabeth Novena has a single-room only setup, so parents will be guaranteed their privacy. Those in the Junior Suite will also have access to an outdoor terrace and a living room.

 

Conclusion

Planning for the birth process might be stressful, especially with so many different factors and hospitals to consider.

It will also be useful to scour through Facebook groups and online reviews of various hospitals in Singapore, which will enable you to get more information via the experiences of others, especially if you are a first-time parent.