Giving Birth in Hong Kong - Sassy Mama - 1

Preparing For Birth In A Public Hospital In Hong Kong

Sassy Mama — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 22:00:49 +0000

Giving birth in a Hong Kong public hospital might seem like a daunting prospect. Thankfully, we live in a city with world-class, affordable health care and Sassy Mama is here to help with everything you need to know about prenatal care and delivery in the public hospital system.

So, you’re pregnant? Congratulations, mama-to-be! If you’re a first-time mum or are new to Hong Kong, deciding where to give birth is important and can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what is involved. Sometimes, the decision is made for you, given the prohibitive costs of private hospitals or if you have complications. If you have opted to deliver at a public hospital in Hong Kong, we’re here to help.

How To Register Your Pregnancy At The Hong Kong Public Hospital

Upon confirmation of your pregnancy, you will be provided with a letter from your midwife/GP/obstetrician. With this letter, you will be able to register with the public maternity system in Hong Kong.

At the earliest opportunity, call your nearest Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC). These are external clinics associated with some of the public hospitals. You could also call the hospital directly to make your first appointment.

Need To Know: All public hospitals work within catchment areas; therefore you will have a designated public hospital based on your address.

However, if you have a preference for an alternative public hospital outside your catchment area, then there may be the option of registering with them, depending on their capacity (look below for our list of public hospitals, including reviews by Sassy Mamas who have given birth in them). In this case, it would be wise to call your chosen hospital directly to enquire about their availability.

Documents Required To Register Your Pregnancy

Once you have made your booking appointment (there is usually around a 4-week waiting time for this), then you can gather the required paperwork. To register, you will require your confirmation of pregnancy letter, your Hong Kong ID card, a proof of address letter (i.e. bank statement or phone bill), copies of any recent blood tests or scans you may have had done privately or overseas and (if you are married) a copy of your partner’s Hong Kong ID card.

What To Expect From The Public Hospital System During Pregnancy

You will be seen by both midwives and doctors in the public hospital system. These appointments may be at either an MCHC or at your designated hospital. Some public hospitals provide two ultrasound scans – one at 12 weeks and another at 20 weeks. However, these are not provided by all hospitals. Your hospital will advise you to have these scans done privately if they do not offer them.

Sassy Mama Tip: Many mums-to-be choosing to deliver in the public hospital opt to supplement their maternity care with a package at a midwives’ clinic or with a private obstetrician who can cover scans and tests leading up to the birth.

Many hospitals offer tours of the maternity ward and some also provide basic antenatal classes (check if these are in English before signing up) covering things such as pain relief options and positions for labour and breastfeeding. It’s a good idea to talk to your midwife at your first appointment about the hospital tour and classes if you are interested in joining, as they tend to get booked up relatively quickly. Some public hospitals also provide a birth plan template for you to complete prior to delivery (if not, you can download Sassy Mama’s birth plan template here).

Hong Kong Public Hospital Labour Wards

On arrival at the hospital for delivery of your baby, if you are found to be less than four centimetres dilated, you will be admitted to the antenatal (or pre-labour) ward until you reach active labour. In this ward, partners are only allowed to be with you during visiting hours, which are typically an hour at lunchtime and two hours in the evening. The ward is also shared with usually six to eight beds in one room.

Hong Kong Public Hospital Delivery Room

Once you are transferred to a delivery room, your partner will then be able to join you for the remainder of the labour and delivery. However, some public hospitals do differ in practices and processes, therefore it is advised to discuss this with your midwife during one of your antenatal check-ups to gain an understanding of your chosen hospital’s policy.

In the Hong Kong public hospital system, midwives conduct the majority of deliveries, with doctors on call to deliver should a medical need arise. Once you reach the delivery room, the care is usually one-to-one with your allocated midwife, with other midwives and doctors on hand for assistance. The majority of public hospitals in Hong Kong are also teaching hospitals, so it is likely that you will be asked if you consent to have midwifery or medical students present.

Once you have delivered your baby, you then usually remain in your delivery room for around an hour and a half before being transferred to the postnatal ward, which is similar in set-up to the antenatal ward.

Hong Kong Public Hospital With A Newborn

Partners are again limited to visiting hours here and you will be in a shared ward. You should expect to stay for around 36 hours following a normal delivery and for at least 48 hours following a Caesarean section. There will be midwives and lactation consultants on hand to assist with breastfeeding, so be sure to ask should you require any help from them during your stay in the hospital. Your baby will be checked by a paediatrician before being discharged and you will be asked to return to the MCHC in the first week for your baby to have a weight and jaundice check-up. There are currently no at-home midwife visits provided by the public system in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Public Hospitals

Now that you understand the process, it’s time to weigh up your options. We love that the Hong Kong public hospital maternity services come at a minimal cost (you can even pay for the delivery with your Octopus card!). Cost aside, most of the public hospitals in Hong Kong are well-equipped for any sort of medical emergency. You can find a full list of Hong Kong’s public hospitals and a review of the admission procedures here. These are a few worth considering.

However, giving birth at a public hospital in Hong Kong is definitely not for everyone. The language barrier, lack of pampering, the food (yes!) and the strict rules and regulations concerning visitors and birth partners can deter some. So, to help with your decision, we asked a few mums to tell us about their birth experiences at some of the reputed public hospitals here in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Public Hospital Birth Experiences

Emily Chu, mum of one. Delivery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2022

I had a really great experience at Queen Elizabeth Hospital despite giving birth at the height of COVID restrictions. It did mean that birth partners weren’t allowed to be in the delivery room and there were also no visitors. I delivered via emergency c-section after an eight-hour labour. The public hospital team were really kind, always checking on me and helping me call my husband (mobile phones are not allowed so I had to use their landline). When I had a bad reaction to the local anaesthesia during surgery, the team held my hand, distracted and reassured me that everything was fine (and it was!).

“I think if my husband was with me, he would have freaked me out more!”

The staff were generally really friendly (although I think being able to speak Cantonese did help) and would respond quickly when you called them. The Queen Elizabeth hospital lactation consultants were available once a day and were a great help, although you may have to seek them out actively. The best part, paying the $600 bill by octopus card!

Sassy Mama Tip: Prepare yourself as much as you can in terms of what to expect, the procedures, any COVID restrictions, and what to pack in your hospital bag (eye mask, earplugs, power bands and snacks are a must!). I attended a brilliant public hospital workshop at Annerley and I think this really help set my expectations and allowed me to have a positive birth experience despite not having my partner with me.

Farrah De Sousa, mum of two. Gave birth at Queen Mary Hospital in October 2022

I found the overall experience at Queen Mary Hospital and in the public system to be good. In my experience, the doctors were informative and caring on admission for my c-section delivery.

“The nurses in the ward were very busy and you need to speak up if you require assistance.”

It’s also quite noisy on the ward at night so take earphones if you want to get some sleep. It’s no secret that the food is awful so it’s better to have someone bring you meals and snacks. Visitors were allowed during visiting hours and drop-offs and deliveries were accepted anytime.

Tarana Desai Shah, mum of one. Delivery at Queen Mary Hospital in 2013

“Queen Mary Hospital has given me a second chance at life.”

This is no exaggeration – my experience of the hospital pre and post-delivery has been nothing short of the gold standard. I had a very smooth pregnancy and had planned to deliver at a very prestigious private hospital. But an emergency at 36 weeks saw me transferred to Queen Mary Hospital. The doctors were experienced enough to deal with an “Aortic Dissection“ (even though they had not come across a case like mine in decades) as they patiently explained to us what was wrong with me as a layman.

“They worked fast to plan an emergency c-section, followed by a gruelling 12-hour heart surgery, all within 24 hours of admission.”

My daughter was initially kept in the NICU for observation. They encouraged breastfeeding as soon as I got back my strength post my heart surgery. The positivity of the staff and constant encouragement around me helped me recuperate faster than I could imagine. I was ready to go home and put this entire ordeal behind me within 11 days of being admitted.

The icing on the cake was the fact that giving birth to Isha was cheaper than a meal at one of my favourite restaurants! I still continue to be a big fan of the public hospital system as I regularly visit them for six-monthly checkups, CT scans and medication collection.

Elly Liu, mum of one. Delivery at United Christian hospital in 2018

I’d say the facilities are very good there and the fees are great. However, overall the experience was average. I was feeling really unwell after giving birth and it was really hard for me to move.

“They only provide basic care and comfort services which I personally think was not enough.”

I attended public hospital classes about what to expect after delivery and how to check if the baby is hungry or full. I did all the checkups they provided before giving birth. They also taught me how to breastfeed and what exercises I should do to recover better.

Jess Mizzi, mum of two. Delivery at Queen Mary Hospital in 2018, second delivery at Matilda Hospital in 2020

I didn’t have the best experience at Queen Mary Hospital. I practised Hypnobirthing as I knew that getting an epidural was highly dependent on the availability of an anaesthetist. Unfortunately, that meant I was a little too calm and the staff didn’t really take me seriously, even though I’d laboured at home for 12 hours. No one checked how far along I was until I screamed out and they realised I was ready to push.

“They told me “we’re a bit busy today, you’re going to have to wait a while!” My son was having none of that and was born within two hours.”

Unless you make a fuss you won’t get much attention (take note, anyone doing Hypnobirthing or CalmBirth). That said, I chose to go to the public hospital because of the medical care and it was good, as expected, and the pregnancy and delivery were without complications.

Because of my experience, I took out a very comprehensive maternity insurance policy so I could give birth privately the second time around.

Maura Thompson, mum of two. First delivery at Queen Mary Hospital in 2013, second delivery at Matilda Hospital in 2016

The medical care at Queen Mary was great. If I were to change anything it would have been to ask for an epidural earlier. Once I decided I wanted one, my request came in too late and the anesthesiologist was busy so I couldn’t get it. The strict visiting hours made it hard to feel comfortable when you have to be away from friends and family. But for me, I actually turned this into one of the most positive parts of my public hospital stay as it allowed my daughter and me to have an amazing bonding time.

I opted for a public hospital birth after realising that my medical insurance didn’t cover the cost of delivering at a private hospital. We knew we would want another baby at some point so we made changes to our insurance plan ahead of time so it would allow for more coverage the second time around. I have no complaints about either decision.

Anthea Fernandes, mum of two. First delivery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2014, second at Princess Margaret Hospital in 2016

“Don’t go to a public hospital expecting to be pampered like a Princess.”

But it will help you get into the groove of motherhood super quickly. The medical care I received in both hospitals was excellent! I preferred the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to Princess Margaret, but only because it was less crowded at the time I was there.

Anita Balagopalan, mum of two. First delivery at a hospital in India in 2013, second at Queen Mary Hospital in 2015

My first delivery was a disaster. In comparison, the medical care at Queen Mary was outstanding! I didn’t get an epidural (though I had been harping about it for two hours), but active labour happened in such a flash, it wasn’t missed either. I didn’t have a birth plan but verbally instructed the staff that I wanted immediate skin-to-skin contact. That was done and most of my requests were listened to (except the epidural, of course!). The staff dealt with my panic about breastfeeding very gently and it ended up being so easy and natural.

Editor’s note: Preparing To Give Birth In A Hong Kong Public Hospital was most recently updated in January 2023.

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Birth Breathing: Techniques For Labour And Delivery Explained

Rosie Adams — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 22:00:52 +0000

Did you know that how you breathe matters? When it comes to giving birth, a Hong Kong midwife offers advice that will have you breathing easier when the time comes.

Breathing. We do it all day, every day without a conscious thought about doing so. Our breathing patterns change when exercising, when we’re excited, worried or anxious and even when we’re tired. Many of us may not know that the way we breathe can have a huge positive impact on the way we manage challenging situations, labour and birth being some of them.

Since the start of the global pandemic, mothers and fathers-to-be continue to ride the rollercoaster of what to expect when the time comes to give birth. Currently, birthing partners are sadly not allowed to be in the delivery room due to the current COVID-19 restrictions. This situation might see some parents spiral into a panic as their best-laid birth plans fall to the wayside. While it may not be as you thought it would you can still focus on a positive birth and breathing can be a huge part of that.

How Breathing Affects Our Stress Levels (And Vice Versa)

When our bodies experience some form of stress, be it emotional or physical, our natural response is often to either hyperventilate (rapid breathing) or to hold our breath. Both of these can upset the healthy balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our systems, often resulting in increased stress, fear and discomfort. (Read more about mental health and stress here.)

The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert in meditation to enjoy the benefits of simple breathing practices during pregnancy and labour. Deep breathing, or “belly breathing”, is a practice that helps to maximise airflow in and out of your body. Breathing in this way can result in the release of muscular tension, feelings of relaxation and a reduction of stress and anxiety levels. Exactly what you need as you start to labour. With both your uterus and cervix being muscles, studies have shown that this relaxation can also help to reduce pain levels by relieving tension in not only these crucial areas but throughout your body.

Deep breathing also triggers the release of endorphins, also known as the body’s natural pain killer. Endorphins react with receptors in our brain that reduce our perception of pain as well as promoting feelings of positivity and calm. All of which can have a huge impact on your overall well-being during labour and delivery.

How Can You Practise Birth Breathing?

A great starting point for practising mindful and deep breathing is the “sigh out slowly” technique. You can try this alone, or with your birthing partner.

First, begin by finding a quiet moment in your day to make yourself comfortable. With your eyes open or closed, breathe in through your nose for three seconds, then sigh the breath out of your mouth for three seconds. Be sure to expand your diaphragm, rather than raise your chest, during the “in” breath”.

It can be helpful to place one hand on your stomach and another on your chest – the hand on your stomach should move with the rise and fall of each breath; the hand on your chest should remain still. This type of breathing can be used throughout the early and active phases of labour and it can also be slightly adjusted for use during the pushing stage. In the case of the latter, you would slow down the “out” breath and exhale through pursed lips, rather than a more open sigh.

Most antenatal classes in Hong Kong will focus on breathing techniques for labour and your midwife will also be able to guide you. Annerley offers a Birth Breathing and Relaxation class, as does Calm Hong Kong, that you can take in addition to other antenatal classes.

What Is Hypnobirthing?

For those of you wanting to delve into the world of breathing as a natural form of labour pain relief a little further, then hypnobirthing practices would be a great option to explore.

Hypnobirthing incorporates the use of breathing techniques, visualisation and affirmations with the aim of promoting deep relaxation to allow the natural processes of labour to progress without resistance from our mind or body.

As well as deep breathing exercises, you will be encouraged to practice visualisation which involves you imagining the birth of your baby and how you would like this to happen, or the type of feelings you’d like to experience. Think of it almost as a rehearsal for your mind. The deeply relaxed, almost meditative, state that hypnobirthing can promote, aims to allow you to concentrate on your body and baby while tuning out any noise or activity going on around you.

Hypnobirthing can be used on its own or in conjunction with other non-medicated or medicated forms of pain relief. There are many options for in-person and online classes and it’s advised to begin a course at least three months before your due date, to allow plenty of time for you and your birth partner to practice and familiarise yourselves with the techniques.

If you’re looking for classes in Hong Kong, there are two common, globally affiliated hypnobirthing courses:

The Calm Birth Method, offered by Calm Hong Kong,
The Marie Mongan, taught by Renewed Edge.

Breathe Deep Mama, You’ve Got This

It’s important to note that, while the use of deep breathing techniques and hypnobirthing can help to facilitate natural childbirth, it does not mean that unexpected things may not happen during your labour or delivery. A birth free of medical intervention or complication cannot, unfortunately, be guaranteed. However, learning to maximise calm and relaxation through breathing can help, very importantly, to make you feel more in control should your labour path change course.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in May 2021 by Rosie Adams and updated in February 2022.

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Birth Stories: The Veggie Wifey – No Two Births Are The Same

Divya Butani — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 22:00:46 +0000

It really is true, no two births are the same. Divya Butani of The Veggie Wifey shares her unique experience of delivering her baby in Hong Kong the second time around.

On 29 November, 2021, my baby girl decided to spontaneously enter the world by challenging every single cell of strength in my body. Never would I have ever imagined me being capable of delivering our baby standing up, with people we have never met before, with no pain relief.

Birth Stories In Hong Kong: A Fast Unexpected Labour

It was a Monday morning. I went to my clinic for a regular checkup. I was 40 weeks pregnant and with the lack of sleep, and a very active toddler at home, I suggested getting a membrane sweep to get things moving. My doctor said it would take a good day or so for the labour to start and to monitor it.

So off I went home, made my favourite recipe and midway through devouring my lunch, the contractions started. The contractions got very intense and after just 15 minutes I was crying in distress. I rang the hospital to inform my doctor but couldn’t communicate clearly. I then called my husband to pick me up. I thought I had more time. Little did I know I was in full labour.

My husband rushed from work. I couldn’t sit in the car, so I sat on all fours in the passenger seat, with my face against the headrest and my rear towards the windshield. If anyone saw us that day, they would have thought we were out of our minds!

“Speeding up the rocky meandering path up to Matilda Hospital, facing backwards in a moving vehicle while dilating was not part of my birth plan.”

I still wonder how my amazing husband focused on the road. With me screaming at the top of my lungs and asking him to stop every 2 minutes, he didn’t even get a chance to park, so he left the car outside the outpatient entrance. I yelled through the entrance in agony. I don’t remember how many people were in the lobby, but they were truly in for a surprise.

One of the outpatient nurses handed me a wheelchair, and I shouted “No!”

Outpatient Entrance: My Maternal Instinct Immediately Took Over

Suddenly, I had a final powerful contraction, and an intense gush of water burst through my pants. My water broke. I knew my baby wasn’t waiting for anyone. That’s when my maternal instinct immediately took over, and in front of everyone in the lobby that day, I ripped off my pants to hold my baby’s head in my hands. All that was running through my head was “please don’t suffocate!”. I had no idea what I was doing, or how I would get my baby out safely. My husband was right beside me the whole time, trying his best to get anyone he could to help.

A Fast But Empowering Delivery

The midwives from the maternity ward rushed in along with the resident OBGYN and paediatrician. They surrounded me for support, but my body couldn’t wait any longer, I felt another urge to push again and my baby was almost out of me, in my arms. I was bending over, holding her with my umbilical cord.

“I couldn’t hear any sound from her. I started to panic, and so did everyone else.”

With all the strength from everyone around me, I was carried onto a gurney and as soon as I touched down, my baby’s full body came out with her cord tugging at my placenta. She was all purple. I was praying for her loud cry. The cord was finally cut and she was taken away from me. I was roaring for an answer, to see if she was ok. A minute later, I finally heard her cry for air and sighed in relief. My husband repeatedly yelled back to me across the long corridor “She is okay, she is okay”. It was very emotional.

I was rolled away to deliver my placenta and get a few stitches. Despite what had happened, I felt so much stronger than my previous pregnancy. Neither my designated OBGYN nor paediatrician made it in time. I was so grateful for all the midwives who stepped in, and the resident doctors who were there to help me and my baby that day.

For most of my second pregnancy, I tried to manifest a better birthing experience than my first. I have experienced two miscarriages and was pregnant during the protests and the peak of COVID. My first pregnancy was a medicated vaginal delivery. When the medication was first injected, it numbed the left side of my body and I was in a very uncomfortable birthing position. Then, when it came to active labour, the epidural wore off. Many hours later, after lots of pushing, my son’s heartbeat dropped. I had a fever from dehydration and exhaustion.

“After 24 hours of labour, my baby was torn out of me. I felt everything.”

My first postpartum experience was difficult. There was a lot of physical and mental healing, alongside being so overwhelmed as a first-time mum. It took me a long time to recover and feel somewhat “me” again. I’ve previously written about postpartum depression, and how much goes unnoticed. This time, I promised myself I would do everything in my power to give birth in a much better mindset.

Mindfulness, Health And Wellness During A Second Pregnancy And Delivery

I was a lot more positive and active in my second pregnancy. I went to see Reiki specialist, to help me release any negative and draining emotional energy. I worked out with prenatal trainer and pregnancy guru Ziggy Makant. She made me feel so strong, both mentally and physically. I also went to a traditional Chinese medical clinic where they helped with acupuncture and moxibustion to get my baby in the correct position. I kept on manifesting and visualising an easier birth experience with energy crystals from Angel Illuminate.

“For all the soon-to-be mothers out there, all I can say is throw out the birth plan and focus on learning how to be extremely brave, positive and strong in the face of adversity.”

Birth is out of our control, and whatever situation we are given, we have to learn how to make the most out of it. Delivering a healthy baby, and making sure you are safe is all that truly matters.

Follow The Veggie Wifey on Instagram or visit her website www.theveggiewifey.com

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Hypnobirthing In Hong Kong: Everything You Need To Know

Sassy Mama — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 22:00:41 +0000

Considering Hypnobirthing? We answer all your questions including whether this method is right for you, where you can take Hypnobirthing classes in Hong Kong and more.

Mention the word “Hypnobirthing” in conversation, and images that come to mind for some involve a woman unconsciously giving birth. After all, Hypnobirthing often finds itself in the news, especially after images of glamorous celebrity mums who have used Hypnobirthing techniques appear after what appears to have been an easy delivery (well, if it’s good enough for Kate Middleton, Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie!). In an effort to dispel the misconceptions around this alternative childbirth technique, clinical hypnotherapist Deborah Dewey answers everything we want to know about this gentle, natural and active method of delivery. Read on to find out if this is right for you and your family.

What Is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is more than just hypnosis. It is a philosophy of birth as much as it is a technique for achieving a satisfying, more relaxed and memorable birth experience. Hypnobirthing sessions teach mum, along with her partner, the joy and art of experiencing birth in a more comfortable manner.

What Are The Benefits Of Hypnobirthing?

The benefits of Hypnobirthing are a relaxed and comfortable mindset for both mum and partner because of the techniques that are covered. Courses teach deep relaxation, to eliminate the fear that causes tension and thus pain. Further, the techniques help to shorten the first phase of labour and Hypnobirthing helps to keep oxygen supplied to the baby during birthing. Mum benefits from less fatigue, which is greatly reduced as well as the need for an episiotomy.

How Does This Differ From Other Birthing Preparation Techniques?

One of the key elements to the Hypnobirthing philosophy is how it gives the birthing partner an integral role in the birthing. Most mums follow up after courses and report how useful the Hypnobirthing breathing techniques are. Birthing preparation techniques for breathing can vary widely and Hypnobirthing has three breathing exercises that help mums through the different stages of labour. Hypnobirthing also addresses the mind, whilst other more traditional birthing preparation courses forget the mind totally. And when the mind is relaxed, the body relaxes too. Lastly, how the body prepares for birthing is covered in-depth, thus giving a better understanding of how a woman’s body is designed for labour.

What Is A Typical Hypnobirthing Session Like?

Each session shows birthing videos, and techniques are covered including breathing exercises, visualisation and deep relaxation using self-hypnosis. Understanding how the body and mind work together for birthing is also covered in every session.

When And Where Can Pregnant Women Join Hypnobirthing Classes In Hong Kong?

If you’re looking for classes in Hong Kong, there are two common, globally affiliated hypnobirthing courses:

The Calm Birth Method, offered by Calm Hong Kong
The Marie Mongan, taught by Renewed Edge

Is It Safe?

Yes, Hypnobirthing is safe as it allows mums to use their birthing instincts to birth their baby, in a way that mirrors nature. As long as there are no complications while carrying her child, she is fit to go ahead and do Hypnobirthing to support her towards a better, more natural birth experience.

Anything Else We Need To Know?

You will learn that hypnosis is not a “trance state” or sleep state but a naturally heightened state of relaxation where you are aware and fully in control, but profoundly relaxed. Hypnobirthing helps to eliminate the fear-tension-pain syndrome and teaches mum to trust in her body and work with it.

Several Sassy Mamas in the office have tried hypnobirthing and benefitted from its techniques. A couple tried The Positive Birth Company (online from the UK) while another used Calm Hong Kong with Lindsay.

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All You Need To Know About Cord Blood Banking In Hong Kong

Danielle Roberts — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 22:00:50 +0000

This seemingly complex choice made easy for soon-to-be mamas!

If you’re expecting a baby, chances are you’ve heard about stem cell collection or cord blood banking. While it may seem like one more thing to add to your already lengthy list of things to consider, cord blood banking is easy to set up and has multiple benefits for the whole family. So what is blood banking and how is it beneficial? And what are your options here in Hong Kong in both the private and public sectors? We’ve gathered all the answers to your questions about how to cord blood bank here in Hong Kong and what exactly to expect from the procedure.

What is it?

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. Near the end of the third trimester, there is a transfer of immune system-boosting cells that are sent from mum to baby in preparation for birth. This makes the cord a rich source of stem cells that can be extracted from the blood in it. If preparations are arranged before birth, a mother can choose to freeze those cells for future medical use. A variety of companies have plans and options to bank these cells for as long as needed. While this technology may sound new, it’s actually been around since the 1990s and has quickly become common practice among expecting mothers.

Why is it important?

These cells are considered valuable because they have a high regenerative power that has been generally untouched by viruses, radiation, medicine and other life exposures. Cord blood treatment is FDA-approved for over 80 different diseases, including different types of cancers, inherited metabolic disorders, anaemias, tumours and more. More research is being done with the hope that it will one day even be able to treat conditions like cerebral palsy and Alzheimer’s. Cord blood banking also has a chance of helping other members of the family. Parents have a 100% chance of being a partial match, siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match (or 50% of being a partial match). Even other extended family members have a chance of matching. One point to note though is that the number of cells collected may not be enough to help treat a patient of bigger body size, so the best matches remain siblings and parents. It’s good to discuss your options with your obstetrician and your baby’s future paediatrician if you’re considering cord blood banking.

Procedure

Cord blood must be taken immediately after birth, within 5 to 10 minutes to avoid coagulation, which is why the procedure is only possible if planned before the birth. A needle is inserted at the vein near the end of the umbilical cord after it is cut, with no harm to mum or baby. Blood is then removed from the cord and placenta until it is pale in colour to make sure as much of the blood (and stem cells) is collected as possible. The blood is then placed into a sterile storage bag and is ready to be transported, frozen and stored.

Cord blood banking in Hong Kong

There are two options for banking here in Hong Kong – the private and the public sector. It’s important to note that banking and storage are dictated by where a mum chooses to give birth. For example, if you give birth in the public sector, you can only store within the public bank. If you’re giving birth in a private sector, you can only bank and store privately.

Public
Private

Public

Cord blood banking is done through the Hong Kong Red Cross and can only be performed at two local hospitals – Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the United Christian Hospital. However, if you store through the public sector, there is no guarantee that the blood could be used by you or your child if needed. It can, however, help others in need, so it is the equivalent of donating it to a public blood bank. It is free to have your baby’s cord blood collected and donated to the public bank. That is not an option in the private sector. Additionally, one of the regulations is that the mother cannot have spent more than three cumulative months in the UK between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996, which rules out many expat mums. There is also no specific ordinance in regulating the storage of cord blood in Hong Kong, but it does fall under the regulatory control of existing ordinances under different circumstances (similar to that of any organ).

If you would like to bank your cord blood in the public sector, you will need to fill out this PDF form. The Hong Kong Department of Health has an FAQ page for cord blood donation and the Hong Kong Red Cross also has an information page.

Private

Private cord blood banking offers more choices in terms of storage, as well as giving you the option of flying your banked blood to other countries that have stricter banking and storage regulations. In general, there may be registration fees and then the remainder of the cost is the storage fee plan that can be paid annually (or all at once) and is based on the length of storage. Common storage lengths are 10, 18 and 25 years. The annual storage fees can range anywhere from $880 to $3,000 HKD per year for just the cord blood. This cost increases if you would like to include tissue. Additionally, storage plans can often be personalised to whatever the family’s needs are. There is also often an additional fee for the collection and handling of the cord blood from the private doctor or hospital (this varies).

Does insurance cover blood banking in Hong Kong?

Health insurance doesn’t generally cover cord blood banking services, meaning that if you want to bank privately it will likely come out of your own pocket. Check with your maternity insurance provider and then decide if banking privately is something you can afford.

Where to bank?

Public*
*You must deliver at either the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or the United Christian Hospital

Hong Kong Red Cross Catherine Chow Cord Blood Bank, 15 King’s Park Rise, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong, 2710 1333, 2710 1236, rcbts@ha.org.hk, www5.ha.org.hk

Private

Athena Life, 100 Cyberport Road, Cyberport, Hong Kong, 8192 8668, www.athenalifeasia.com

Cord Life, Suite 3603A, 36/F, Skyline Tower, 39 Wang Kwong Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3980 2888, www.cordlife.com.hk

Cryolife, Customer Service Centre and Laboratory, 5/F, Delta House, 3 On Yiu Street, Siu Lek Yuen, Shatin, Hong Kong, 2110 2121, www.cryolife.com.hk

HealthBaby Biotech (Hong Kong), Unit 702-706, 7/F (Office) & Unit G02-05, G/F (Laboratory), Lakeside 2 West Wing, No. 10 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, 3188 8899, www.healthbaby.hk

Pro Stem Cell*, 1108, 11th Floor, Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, 8198 8880, info@prostemcell.com, www.prostemcell.com

Smart Cells Hong Kong, 2001, 20/F Car Po Commercial Building, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 2613 8335, HK@smartcells.com, www.smartcells.com

*Editor’s note: Pro Stem Cell is currently upgrading its laboratories and is not collecting stem cells at the moment.

The post All You Need To Know About Cord Blood Banking In Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Mama.

5 Tips For Birth Partners: How You Can Help During Labour

Rosie Adams — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 22:00:28 +0000

Birth Partners listen up! Teamwork makes the dream work.

Let’s face it. It’s never easy seeing someone you love in any kind of pain or discomfort and the process of having a baby is no different. It isn’t called “labour” for nothing after all! But you papas and birth partners-to-be may or may not be aware of the huge impact you can have in helping your mamas through this challenging (but wonderful!) experience. Swipe through and get one step closer to being the best birth partner ever!

The post 5 Tips For Birth Partners: How You Can Help During Labour appeared first on Sassy Mama.