{"id":3007,"date":"2021-07-12T15:21:22","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T07:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/?p=3007"},"modified":"2021-12-17T11:57:57","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T03:57:57","slug":"giving-birth-in-hong-kong-public-vs-private-maternity-hospitals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/giving-birth-in-hong-kong-public-vs-private-maternity-hospitals\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving birth in Hong Kong: Public vs private maternity hospitals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re planning to have a child or have a baby on the way, one of the first things you\u2019re going to need to think about is where you\u2019re going to give birth. In Hong Kong, you have two options when it comes to giving birth. You can either go through childbirth in a public or private hospital. Fortunately, Hong Kong\u2019s standard of medical care is world-class, which means the key differences often come down to comfort levels, convenience, and costs. This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/\">Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/a> article takes a closer look at the difference between public vs private maternity hospitals in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n<div class='code-block code-block-3' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/compare-quotes\/step-one\/?campSource=PPHK-Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content_banner&utm_campaign=Blog_Banner&utm_content=family\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1282 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/WP-Banner-revamp-final-20221207_3.-Family-final.jpg?resize=700%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Family health insurance banner\" width=\"700\" height=\"303\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n<h2>Public vs. private hospital differences<\/h2>\n<p>Before looking into public vs. private hospital differences in Hong Kong, it\u2019s a good idea to take some time to evaluate your needs. Come up with a list of non-negotiables, or things that you definitely want during your stay in a maternity hospital. Once you have that, you can continue your research with these in mind.<\/p>\n<h3>Giving birth in a public hospital in Hong Kong<\/h3>\n<p>There are advantages and disadvantages to both public and private hospitals in Hong Kong. Let\u2019s take a look at public hospital births in Hong Kong to start.<\/p>\n<h4>Advantages<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Emergency: <\/strong>A public hospital is the best place to be if a medical emergency occurs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>C-sections:<\/strong> Public hospitals have a lower C-section rate than their private counterparts, making them ideal for women who rather have a natural birth. <em>Note that this can be a disadvantage for women who prefer C-sections.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>Affordability<\/strong><\/strong>: It\u2019s more affordable to give birth in a public hospital.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Admittance<\/strong>: Public hospitals cannot turn you away, which means you\u2019re guaranteed labor room facilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Disadvantages<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><strong>Language barrier<\/strong><\/strong>: Even though doctors and nurses tend to speak English, most public hospital staff only speak Cantonese or Mandarin.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lack of privacy<\/strong>: Up to 10 people may be sharing the hospital maternity ward. Likewise, some public hospitals may be used for teaching, which means students may observe and assist in your delivery.<\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>No one is allowed in delivery rooms<\/strong><\/strong>: Due to the current COVID-19 situation, no one is permitted in delivery rooms except for the laboring mother. Similarly, no visitors are currently allowed post-delivery.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No OB-GYN<\/strong>: You won\u2019t be able to access your OB-GYN when delivering at a public hospital.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Less personalized support<\/strong>: Due to the midwife-to-patient ratio, you\u2019ll receive less individual support for nursing, breastfeeding, and so on.<\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>Birth plans<\/strong><\/strong>: Birth plans might not be respected in a public hospital, which means what happens during your labor and after the birth might not be your choice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited food options<\/strong>: Chinese food tends to be the only option in public hospitals in Hong Kong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Giving birth in a private hospital in Hong Kong<\/h3>\n<p>In private hospitals in Hong Kong, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy luxuries and comforts that simply aren\u2019t available at public hospitals.<\/p>\n<h4>Advantages<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><strong>OB-GYN selection<\/strong><\/strong>: One of the biggest reasons expectant parents opt for private hospitals for giving birth is because they can choose their OB-GYN. This means you\u2019ll receive a higher level of personal care throughout your pregnancy and your chosen OB-GYN will be delivering your baby.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plenty of support<\/strong>: The low midwife-to-patient ratio at private hospitals means you\u2019ll receive much more personalized support for nursing, breastfeeding, and so on.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Privacy<\/strong>: There are several room options in private hospitals, including private, semi-private, and shared rooms with up to four patients per room at most.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Language<\/strong>: You won\u2019t have to worry about communicating since English is spoken in all private hospitals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Food<\/strong>: International cuisine is available at private hospitals. Sometimes you can even choose from a menu.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nursery<\/strong>: Parents are encouraged by staff to be hands-on, which is reflected in the easy-to-access baby nursery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Disadvantages<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><strong>Costly deposit<\/strong><\/strong>: Since private hospitals are in high demand, you have to book a room as soon as you know you\u2019re pregnant by putting down an expensive deposit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Costly in general<\/strong>: All the advantages of a private maternity hospital come with a steep price tag. What\u2019s more, these costs can increase significantly in emergency situations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No guarantee<\/strong>: Even if you pay in advance, there is no guarantee that you\u2019ll give birth at your hospital of choice if all beds are occupied.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Emergency<\/strong>: Private hospitals aren\u2019t as equipped to handle medical emergencies, which means you might be transferred to a public hospital if the unexpected occurs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Choosing where to give birth in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n<p>Hong Kong\u2019s public and private hospitals give all women access to world-class medical care. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/hong-kong-maternity\/\">maternity costs in Hong Kong<\/a> can quickly add up and become a burden for expectant parents. Don\u2019t let cost prevent you from going to your hospital of choice by securing maternity insurance.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that virtually all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-maternity-insurance-for-expats-in-hong-kong\/\">maternity insurance plans<\/a> come with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/blog\/maternity-insurance-what-are-waiting-periods.html\">waiting period<\/a> of nine months or more, making it wise to plan in advance for this type of insurance. The waiting period may be waived in some cases, such as with comprehensive employer-provided health insurance. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of the maternity insurance plan or contact your insurance provider or broker for more information.<\/p>\n<h2>Looking for maternity insurance in Hong Kong? Pacific Prime can help<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cm0WftA-ltU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>As a leading global health insurance brokerage with over 20 years of experience in the industry, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/\">Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/a> helps individuals and families secure the ideal insurance solutions for their needs and budget. Whether you\u2019re looking for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/health-insurance-plans\/maternity-insurance\/\">maternity health insurance in Hong Kong<\/a> or globally, our expert advisors are here to help. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a> for impartial advice and a free quote or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/compare-quotes\/\">plan comparison<\/a> today.<\/p>\n<p>Download your free copy of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/guides\/maternity-insurance-guide-2019-2020\/\">Maternity Health Insurance Guide<\/a> to learn more about maternity and maternity insurance in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n<div class='code-block code-block-6' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/compare-quotes\/step-one\/?campSource=PPHK-Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=cta_banner&utm_campaign=Blog_Banner&utm_content=quote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1279\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HK-BANNER-Couple.jpg?resize=700%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Get a quote banner\" width=\"700\" height=\"303\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re planning to have a child or have a baby on the way, one of the first things you\u2019re going to need to think about is where you\u2019re going to give birth. In Hong Kong, you have two options when it comes to giving birth. You can either go through childbirth in a public &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":3008,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2},"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[615,2],"tags":[793,791,397,47,48,2053,620,2051,2052],"class_list":["post-3007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-insurance","category-insurance","tag-ban_fam","tag-cta_gen","tag-expat-health-insurance","tag-family-health-insurance","tag-family-health-insurance-in-hong-kong","tag-maternity-costs-in-hong-kong","tag-maternity-health-insurance","tag-maternity-health-insurance-in-hong-kong","tag-maternity-insurance-plans"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Giving Birth in Hong Kong: Public Vs Private Maternity Hospitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Planning on having a baby? 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