An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Hong Kong, Hong Kong

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Hong Kong

How recently did you give birth in the country that you are reporting on?

17 years ago

Describe your experience giving birth there. What type of facility did you go to? What (if any) type of pain management did you use? How long did you stay in the hospital? Was it a positive experience? Etc...

My husband, our 3 year old son and I (7 1/2 months pregnant) moved to Hong Kong in 1987. I gave birth at Matilda War Memorial Hospital, a private hospital on the Peak, though my Dr. also delivered at the Adventist hospital. It was reported that the food was better "on the Peak".

New Years Day 1988 was spent laying around and enjoying the quiet. Two weeks earlier I had the worst case of the flu, my husband was in Singapore and my son luckily, kept himself busy with Duplo Blocks. I couldn't handle the 30 min. taxi ride into Central to see the Dr. So I rode it out. I called the only person I knew of in our area. We had never met. She was on her way to Nepal and brought me over the food she had left in her fridge. This is what my son and I ate for the next few days. I also had a major case of "Culture Shock" which was increased because of the flu. This did pass.

On January 2 we were scheduled to interview a young women who would stay with our son when I gave birth. I went into labor at 3am and about 4 am we headed for the hospital, the three of us. The "sister" (nurse) asked what were we "going to do with the boy"? At 9 am my husband rang the young girl and she was hired on-the-spot.

I was in labor for the better part of the day. Everything was fairly relaxed and laid back. They even brought me meals - which I was in no shape to eat. My husband enjoyed them. Around 3pm the Dr. thought we should move things on. She had a dinner engagement.??? I was ready to get it over with. So, with a little help from an injection, we finished delivery. On that final push, as our daughter was being born, the Dr. shouted, "Will someone grab my trousers, the string broke and I need to catch the baby?" I will never forget it.

I was in the hospital with our new very healthy baby for nearly a week. I actually asked to go home. It was definitely not the case with my first child, home in two days.

The food at the hospital was great, though I was asked to back off on the Indian courses and to not have too much tea, as it was causing "wind" in the baby.

Everyday the new Mums would gather in the hall with pillows and we had exercise time. The cute petite young Chinese lady in her very cruse ship-like attire would lead us in our sit-ups and stretching. I ask her if she had any children. The answer was No. I wanted to be there when she did these exercises after her birthing experience.

I also learned what "Detol" was: A sterilizing solution good for many needs.

Having a baby in Hong Kong was an interesting experience. I missed having family near by, but the care was wonderful and the baby, she is now a lovely young lady finishing her Senior year of high school in Italy. This is our third overseas experience.

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How did you choose your doctor, midwife or other type of medical professional?

We asked for referrals and for suggestions from various expats already in Hong Kong. I also looked for doctors who were familiar with American medicines and practices.

If you were to have another child in this country, would you do anything differently in terms of preparation and/or the delivery?

There is nothing that I would have done differently. The best thing to do is to have a positive attitude and to keep your sense of humor.

If a friend of yours living in the same country were expecting a baby, what advice would you give her?

My feeling about giving birth in another country was this: Children are born all over the world on a daily basis. Not all practices are the same, but it is amazing how many children successfully come into this world in every country.

I did seek out a hospital that I would hopefully feel comfortable in, but that's no guarantee. I trusted all would go well.

I also found a Doctor that I felt comfortable with and trusted.