Pregnancy resources - Sassy Mama Hong Kong - 1

Top Baby Tracking Apps For Pregnancy, Nursing, Bath Time and Diapers

Sassy Mama — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:00:19 +0000

There is so much to stay on top of as a new parent (especially for those of us with multiple kids) when it comes to tracking your baby’s milestones. Here at Sassy Mama we’ve curated a list of top pregnancy, labour and baby tracking apps. These will help you monitor the growth of your bub, from bump to baby.

There’s no rest for the wicked, but as we mamas have found, there’s no rest even for really wonderful mothers either! When you’re running around sleep deprived and covered in curious substances, it can be tough remembering when (and on what side!) to feed the bub, let alone keep track of all those dirty nappies (and nap times).

Luckily, we’ve rounded up our favourite baby tracking apps to chart their development (right from their little heartbeats on a scan to when they are running circles around us!) – something that definitely comes in handy at your next obstetrician or paediatrician visit. In addition to the nitty gritty details about availability and cost, we’ve also enlisted our own team of Sassy Mamas to share how they used the apps to make their first couple of years a little easier. Take a look below!

Pregnancy and Baby Tracker – WTE – Regularly updated by ‘What To Expect’ Medical Review Board

From the parenting juggernaut behind the massive bestseller the What to Expect series, this customisable pregnancy app includes an award-winning due date calculator and an archive of guides to each month of your child’s development. Once your baby arrives, it not only allows you to record your darling’s sleeping, feeding, and necessary diaper change patterns. There’s even medical advice and playtime ideas for when your brain’s just too tired to come up with another game. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, never fear – you’ll get access to the What to Expect forum where you can ask other parents for help, or just rant to them about the two hours of sleep you got last night.

Sassy Mama says: “I love What-to-Expect’s Baby Tracking App because the interface is clear and simple to use and navigate around. With my mummy-brain, I find the ‘vaccinations’ button super helpful as it keeps me updated with those necessary (but painful) jabs!” – Min, Sassy Mama Singapore

Download: Free, available on Android and Apple.

Baby Centre – Free week-by-week pregnancy tracker with baby name suggestions to height predictors

Baby Centre will truly be your parenting partner right from the get-go. Starting from when you’re even thinking of having a baby – you can use the ovulation calendar and look out for early pregnancy symptoms – to needing tips to deal with pregnancy aches and pains, to settling in to life as a parent. Satiate your curiosity with the Chinese Gender Predictor, read testimonials about coping with miscarriages, and find out which beauty products are safe to use when pregnant. We can’t imagine what you might need from a baby tracker that you can’t get from Baby Centre.

Sassy Mama says: “I still use Baby Centre – their content is also amazing. It helped me during my pregnancy and even now provides some excellent tips to help me understand my 9 year old.” – Mansha, Sassy Mama Hong Kong

Download: Free, available on Apple and Android.

Baby Feed Timer – Newborn app designed by and for breastfeeding mums

Recommended by NHS midwives in the UK, this handy-dandy app is perfect for sleep-deprived mamas who can’t remember their own last name, it reminds you what side to start on, when you’re due for the next feed, and much more. It also keeps track of bottle feedings, pumping sessions, diaper changes, and sleep timings, with in-depth charts and analysis.

Sassy Mama says: “I love how simple and uncomplicated this app is, with giant buttons that are easy to tap with one hand when I’ve got a squirming hungry baby in the other. It also syncs up with other phones so my husband knows when to feed her if I’m out and about.” – Kate, Sassy Mama Singapore

Download: Free with in-app purchases, available on Apple and Android.

Baby Connect – Baby tracking app for ease of communication between caregivers

Voted “Best Baby Tracking App in 2022”, this is perfect for the mama-on-the-go. Baby Connect allows you to create an online baby tracker that can be updated remotely by anyone you grant access to: your husband, your parents, your helper, etc. so you can be out and about and still not miss a single thing. It even has its own in-app messaging tool! Baby Connect allows you to record nursing times and diaper changes as well as mood swings and milestones, and turn your updates into easily digestible graphs and charts. You’ll even be able to make a profile for your child with relevant information about their allergies, blood type and birthday – everything’s all in one place!

Download: Free with in-app purchases, available on Android and Apple.

Baby Daybook – Monitor your baby’s schedule with a user-friendly interface

Now available on Apple – and compatible with Apple Watch and widgets – as well as Android, Baby Daybook is a means of recording your newborn’s every last move, from diaper changes to breastfeeding sessions with the unique option of adding in crucial notes to record irregularities. For mamas with twins or triplets, Baby Daybook’s got you covered with multiple baby profiles that you can sync up with your husband or helper’s accounts so that they know exactly what’s going on every second of the day. With customisable app colours, the team behind Baby Daybook has even been thoughtful enough to develop a darker interface so you don’t wake up your little with a blast of light during their nighttime feedings.

Download: Free, available on Android and Apple.

Read More: Domestic Helpers In Hong Kong

Baby Breastfeeding Tracker – Stay organised with this nursing tracker app

From the minds of American Baby magazine comes the Baby Nursing app, your free, be-all, end-all breastfeeding app… and so much more! With options to chart your baby’s nursing progress as well as relevant doctors appointments and potty breaks, don’t forget to record your milestones with their in-built sound, photo and video capabilities! If you’re absolutely in love with the app, there’s even more paid-for content that will allow you to keep on top of bottle feedings, pumping, sleeping and more. Data can even be exported into a customisable Excel spreadsheet.

Download: Free, plus a paid-for upgrade, available on Android and Apple.

Sprout Pregnancy and Sprout Baby – Multiple apps for tracking different stages of child progression

Sprout is renowned for its physician-recommended baby and pregnancy apps with a number of awards from their fans at Time.com, Babble and even Apple themselves. They’ve got you covered from foetus to baby’s first steps, with an easy-to-use interface and awesome capabilities like multiple child profiles, doctor visit planners and daily tips with their pregnancy and baby trackers. Developed by mothers-to-be and doctors to guide you down the path of motherhood, and after creating a beautiful list of memories with your partner, you can send it off to be transformed into a gorgeous hardbound book for your family to treasure forever. Sprout Pregnancy also comes with a handy contraction time and kick counter.

Download (Sprout Pregnancy): Free trial, available on Apple and Android

Download (Sprout Baby Tracker): Free one week trial, available on Apple and Android.

Feed Baby – Award-winning breastfeeding tracker app for new parents

It’s easy to forget things when you’re operating on infant-oriented sleep, but with Feed Baby at least you can monitor your baby’s meal times, baths, and bottle feeds. This tracker creates colourful timelines, graphs and reports based around your tot’s eating habits, even when they start on solid foods. With customisable themes in powder Vintage Pink, periwinkle Baby Blue or the more solemn Dark Knight, you and your hubby will be able to sync up your data between devices to make sure you both know exactly what’s going on wherever you are.

Download: Free with in-app purchases, available on Apple and Android.

Baby Tracker: Newborn Log – Highly recommended all-in-one app including baby milestones

Over a million parents have downloaded (and raved about) this app, so it must be worth checking out. The Newborn Log has a comprehensive and convenient feeding tracker that has a notes section for preferences and allergic reactions, it tracks diaper changes and your baby’s sleep schedule that you can share with a caregiver as it allows for syncing among multiple devices without compromising your privacy. Plus, you can make custom categories for your baby’s first smile, tooth, or step, log vaccine shots and temperature checks, and quickly identify patterns and abnormalities with the Data Interpretation section. What more could you need?

Download: Free with in-app purchases, available on Apple and Android.

More Pregnancy & Baby Apps: Apps To Help You Through Labour & Contractions

These are specific apps that you will probably need to download only for the last few months of your pregnancy. So that you don’t need to go scouting for recommendations when you’re in your last trimester, we have rounded some of the apps that you should download as you approach your due date.

Full Term Contraction Timer – Available to download on Apple
Contraction Master – Available to download on Apple
GentleBirth – Available to download on Apple and Android
Freya Surge Timer – Available to download on Apple and Android
Contraction Timer And Counter 9m – Available to download on Apple and Android

Editor’s Note: “Top Baby Tracking Apps For Pregnancy, Nursing, Bath Time and Diapers” was originally written by Megan Hills in 2016 and most recently updated in July 2024 by Veena Raghunath. Thanks to Nikita Mishra for her contribution.

This is part of a special series, “All About Breastfeeding In Hong Kong“. For more posts on breastfeeding in Hong Kong, click here.

The post Top Baby Tracking Apps For Pregnancy, Nursing, Bath Time and Diapers appeared first on Sassy Mama.

All Thing Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave And Maternity Pay In Hong Kong

Jess Mizzi — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 22:00:30 +0000

Congratulations, you’re expecting! Here is everything you need to know about maternity leave, paternity leave and maternity pay in Hong Kong.

Bringing a new life into the world is a profound experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Will you go for a private delivery package or give birth in the public system? There’s a whole host of baby products and nursery gear to buy. Do you need (or want) to hire a domestic helper? First and foremost though, you’ll want to get your head around the parental leave policies in Hong Kong. We delve into the intricacies of maternity leave, paternity leave and parental leave to help you get the most out of your mat leave.

Entitlements For Maternity Leave In Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, maternity leave is governed by the Labour Department. The standard maternity leave entitlement in Hong Kong is 14 weeks. In order to be eligible you need to:

Have been employed on a continuous contract for more than 40 weeks. If you have been employed for less than 40 weeks you are still entitled to 14 weeks maternity leave without pay.
Give notice to your employer that you intend to take maternity leave and present a doctor’s certificate confirming the pregnancy.

You are also entitled to leave to attend your prenatal check-ups. This is taken from your sick leave entitlements.

Fourteen weeks will surely fly by! While you’ll negotiate your start date with your employer, you must go on leave at least two weeks before your due date.

Some other things to note:

You are entitled to maternity leave if you suffer a miscarriage after 24 weeks
If you give birth prematurely, your leave will start on the day you give birth

Payment Of Maternity Leave In Hong Kong

As a minimum, you are entitled to 80% of your regular pay and this will be paid according to your usual pay schedule. If your income varies, then your employer will calculate your average monthly salary for the 12 months preceding your leave.

While your maternity pay will be paid into your account by your employer, it’s worth knowing that they are only responsible for funding the first ten weeks. Weeks 11 to 14 are reimbursed by the government (up to a total value of $80,000).

Paternity Leave In Hong Kong

Unfortunately, the Hong Kong paternity leave benefits aren’t quite so generous. Fathers are entitled to five days of paternity leave, provided they have given at least three months’ notice to their employer (they don’t need to specify the actual dates until later).

Sassy Mama Tip: Paternity leave can be taken as a block of five days, or as separate days from four weeks before the due date until 14 weeks after the child is born.

Parental Leave For Same-Sex Couples And Adoptive Families

Hong Kong is progressively adapting its policies to be more inclusive and reflective of diverse family structures. Same-sex couples are entitled to the same maternity and paternity leave benefits as heterosexual couples. Likewise, adoptive parents are entitled to the same maternity and paternity leave benefits as biological parents.

Maternity Leave For Domestic Helpers

It’s important to know that domestic helpers are entitled to exactly the same maternity leave entitlements as any other employee in Hong Kong. That is not to say that it won’t cause interruptions to your daily routine. The best thing you can do is sit down with your helper and have an open and honest discussion. Some questions you might need to consider are:

Will they have the baby in Hong Kong, or will they return to their home country?
Where will the baby live once they are born?
Do they wish to return to work after the baby is born?
Are they able to fulfil their regular duties or do these need to be modified?

There’s every possibility that you won’t get all the answers you’re looking for immediately. Be supportive, kind and empathetic while understanding her rights and your obligations.

Sassy Mama Tip: Pathfinders Hong Kong is an excellent resource for both domestic helpers and employers navigating pregnancy.

How Does Maternity Leave In Hong Kong Stack Up?

Depending on where you are from, Hong Kong’s maternity leave policies will either seem generous or severely limiting.

In the USA, for example, parents are only entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. At the other end of the spectrum, you find the Nordic countries where policies are significantly more supportive. Take Sweden, widely believed to have the most equal-paid parental schemes in the world. Parents receive 480 days of fully paid leave, which can be split however the family sees fit.

Termination Of Contracts While Pregnant

You CAN NOT be dismissed from the day that you give your notice of pregnancy until the day that you are due to return to work. If you are dismissed, and then immediately discover you are pregnant, the dismissal must be withdrawn and your maternity leave entitlements will be in place.

There are, however, some exceptions. You can be fired for serious misconduct. Likewise, if you are on probation you can be dismissed, so long as there are reasonable grounds.

These rules apply to domestic workers in the same way as they apply to any other employee in Hong Kong.

Have More Questions About Maternity Leave In Hong Kong…

It is only natural to have questions or concerns about your specific situation. The Labour Department is extremely helpful in answering all your queries.

The post All Thing Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave And Maternity Pay In Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Your Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist And Birth Plan Template

Sassy Mama — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:00:10 +0000

Looking for a pregnancy hospital bag checklist and birth plan template? Our easy-to-use downloadables can help get sorted with all the things you need to ensure a smooth labour and delivery.

The hospital may not be an ideal getaway destination, but packing your hospital bag for the maternity ward is one of the highlights of late pregnancy. Though you’ll be eagerly tempted to overpack, you will find that you don’t use much of what you have packed. That’s why we have made an easy-to-use hospital bag checklist that’s available for download.

We have divided things into essentials and optional items, along with some things for the Papa-to-be. Because we know that giving birth in a public hospital is quite a different experience, we have additional items that you will need if you’re taking that route. Plus, we’ve put together a handy downloadable birth plan template to help make your labour as fuss-free as can be.

Free Downloadable Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist

Tips For Packing Your Hospital Bag For Labor And Delivery

Have everything packed by 35 weeks into your pregnancy. Resist the urge to wait until the last minute!

Be sure to ask the hospital what is already provided to keep your baggage light. Also, check the hospital’s policies regarding what you can bring. Public hospitals, for instance, specify the size of the hospital bag you can carry.

Whether it be a backpack, suitcase, or duffel bag, your hospital bag should be whatever makes you feel most comfortable. However, choose something in which it’s easy to find things, especially when you need your partner to locate them for you.

If you plan to drive (or have someone else drive) your car to the hospital, keep your bag in the trunk or backseat, once packed. Otherwise, leave it in an accessible location of your home if you plan to taxi it.

If you have ideas on how you would like to give birth, don’t forget to fill out a birth plan and discuss it in advance with your midwife or doctor. Even in public hospitals like Queen Mary, where you don’t have a fixed doctor, you will have the opportunity to present your birth plan when you reach the pre-labour ward. Make sure you pack multiple copies of this in your hospital bag so that everyone from the nurses, midwives, doctors and your birthing partner are all on the same page. Because we want to help you be as relaxed as possible (so you can concentrate on the hard work of giving birth!), we’ve made this downloadable birth plan template. You’re welcome!

Free Downloadable Birth Plan Template

Editor’s Note: “Your Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist And Birth Plan Template” was most recently updated in June 2023 by Najuka Redkar. Special thanks to Kristen Tadrous and Anita Balagopalan for their contribution.

The post Your Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist And Birth Plan Template appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Birth Stories: Adeline Ma On Having A Baby At 48

Jess Mizzi — Mon, 22 May 2023 22:00:04 +0000

Whether by choice or circumstance, the reality is, many of us are starting our pregnancy and parenting journey later in life. So what does it really look like to start your family in your 40s?

Adeline Ma is the mother to two very active kids aged 9 and 3 years old. What makes her story unique though, is that she didn’t start on her fertility journey until her 40s, finally conceiving her son aged 48, at a time when many other women are heading towards peri and menopause. Now, she’s using the lessons she’s learned along the way to help other couples navigate the assisted reproductive technology options in Hong Kong.

Can you share a little about your journey to motherhood?

I was always the type who knew that I wanted to become a mother even as a teenager. I just expected that it would happen at some point. But by the time I was 30 and without a life partner, I started to panic a bit.

“The realisation of missing motherhood was a constant fear for me throughout my 30s.”

I met my husband when I was 41. He was 46 and we both knew we wanted to try to have kids right away. At that time we knew if that we didn’t conceive within a couple of months we should go straight to trying assisted fertility.

It’s a horrible label, but how was your “geriatric pregnancy”?

When I was pregnant with my daughter at age 41, I really didn’t feel singled out by the medical staff as a geriatric mum. Even at that time, it was common to see first-time mothers in their late 30s or early 40s. But for both pregnancies, my doctor had me monitored for potential gestational diabetes and tested early for Down Syndrome.

Studies show that women over 35 have a much higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and the chance of having a child affected by Down Syndrome increases from about 1 in 1,250 for a woman who conceives at age 25, to about 1 in 100 for a woman who conceives at age 40.

Did you notice any differences in pregnancy or birth the second time around?

As with anything, once you have some experience, then you know what to expect so the second time around.

“But, my second pregnancy was during the year that I turned 48 and my energy levels were significantly reduced.”

In addition, I had to parent our older child so every day during the second pregnancy left me completely exhausted.

Did you find your existing friendships change during pregnancy and those early years? Were your friends at the same stage of life as you?

Most of my friends are those that I’ve had a long history with. Even when I became a mother, I don’t think it impacted our relationships much. Of course, I’m not able to socialise the way I used to, but I make an effort to meet or connect with friends often. Having full-time live-in domestic help makes it so easy for parents to keep up a social life.

Since becoming parents, my husband and I tend to invite friends to our home for meals regularly. On a typical Saturday evening, we would have a mix of friends at our home for a BBQ

The friends are not necessarily all at the same life stage as us. Some of them have young kids, some don’t have kids and others have grown kids.

How was it making new friends?

Actually many of my friends with kids similar in age to ours were already in our social group before we had kids. With many of these friends, we became closer and met up often with each others’ families.

“I originally feared that I would be a much older mum with young children but actually, the other mums are mostly only five to eight years younger than me.”

I believe that living in Hong Kong, we don’t encounter many parents who started their families in their 20s or early 30s. It seems to be the norm for first-time parents to be in their late 30s to early 40s now.

What are some of the advantages of being an older mum?

Having more secure finances, an established career or business and hopefully more patience and wisdom. You’re also better able to draw from the experiences of your peer group who started their families earlier and can provide some useful insights and advice.

What about some of the disadvantages?

The major issue is our energy levels. Both my husband and I have to be disciplined in keeping fit and staying healthy. Also, our kids’ grandparents are older, in their 70s and 80s and unable to play such an active role in our children’s lives.

I know that many parents who have children later in life feel some stigma about being older but fortunately many say that both my husband and I don’t look our age — we often pass for 10 years younger!

What advice would you give to other mums starting their parenting journey in their 40s?

Really make it a priority to stay fit and healthy.

Get the best medical advice if you want to use assisted fertility treatments such as IVF. These procedures involve time, money and can affect your physical and emotional well-being. For women in their 40s, I wouldn’t waste time and would just explore IVF options right away.

I suggest to those in their 20s and 30s who feel they may want children someday but aren’t ready or don’t have a partner to consider that they may need fertility treatments in the future. It’s never too early to position yourself financially or professionally to accommodate IVF if needed.

Where to get IVF support…

Since the birth of her second child, Adeline has been helping other couples navigate the assisted fertility processes. Explore her fertility treatment coaching and advisory services.

The post Birth Stories: Adeline Ma On Having A Baby At 48 appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Hong Kong IVF: What To Know About Assisted Reproductive Technology In Hong Kong

Sassy Mama — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 22:00:21 +0000

So the time has come for you to consider IVF in Hong Kong. Knowledge is power when it comes to our reproductive systems, so here are some of the things you can expect from the medical system if you’re facing trouble conceiving, infertility or starting your IVF journey.

Deciding to start a family can be an exciting, optimistic and happy time. It can also be stressful, frustrating, heartbreaking and exhausting. If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while, you are probably well into the frustrated stage and looking for answers. While in vitro fertilisation (IVF) isn’t generally the first option for most people who have trouble getting or staying pregnant, going to a fertility specialist who can also perform IVF in Hong Kong could be the right choice if you want to establish a relationship with one doctor or clinic that can see you through your entire journey.

If you have private health insurance or maternity insurance, make sure to speak to your insurance provider to understand what is and is not covered prior to booking any appointments.

Jump To:
What To Know Before You Start
What Is IVF
IVF Clinics In Hong Kong

What To Know Before You Start IVF In Hong Kong

Figuring Out Your Fertility Issues

Generally speaking, the beginning of this process is the same regardless of which doctor or clinic you choose. You will be best served to have your partner at your first appointment, so the doctor can collect information from you both. The last thing you want is more time lost because the doctor doesn’t have all the right information from the start.

Collecting Your Medical History

Infertility can be due to female factors, male factors or a combination of both, so you’ll both be asked about your medical and sexual history. Make sure you’ve both been honest with one another about your sexual health and past.

Conducting Fertility Tests

Initial tests help piece together what might be causing the fertility challenges. They start out basic – a semen analysis, blood tests for hormones, a transvaginal ultrasound – and then progress depending on the results. Tests to check ovarian reserves and look for any blockages or abnormalities in your reproductive tract are all possibilities.

Exploring Assisted Reproductive Technologies In Hong Kong

Pending the results of your tests you might be presented with a progressive approach to help facilitate conception. Your doctor will take into account your medical history, tests, age and the amount of time you’ve been trying to conceive to present you with your options.

These options can range from addressing an underlying medical condition to simple fertility medication (usually oral or injectable hormones), surgery to correct any abnormalities, intra-uterine insemination (IUI, where sperm is placed directly in your uterus at the exact right time) or IVF. In some cases, treatments are combined. In rarer cases, the man might need to have surgery to access the sperm needed to perform IUI or IVF.

There are big decisions to be had, so at this point, it could be worth collating your test results and seeking a second opinion.

Legalities And Paperwork Of Assisted Fertility And IVF In Hong Kong

In order to have IVF in Hong Kong you’ll need to be legally married and produce a marriage certificate (it doesn’t have to be from Hong Kong). If you are unmarried (including same-sex couples), you will need to look at IVF options overseas.

The doctor will review all of the risks with you so you are fully aware. You’ll also sign a consent form stating that you understand these risks. There are also forms to consent to any freezing and storage that might be needed for eggs, embryos and sperm. You’ll need to know what you want to do with any extras and will likely be given the option to dispose of them or donate them for research.

The IVF Process Explained

If it is determined that IVF is your best option, you might feel overwhelmed. Between the cost, time commitment, the emotional toll and the possible frustration, or blame of yourself or your partner (or both), plus the physical side effects for the female partner, there is a lot to deal with. Not to mention you’ve already been trying to have a child for some time now – patience is probably running thin.

You might be tempted to rush the process but don’t forget to take care of yourself mentally and physically. Lifestyle can play a role in fertility success so be sure to address any red flags with your doctor prior to proceeding.

What Is IVF?

IVF is basically the process of fertilizing eggs outside of your body to create an embryo that is then transferred to the uterus. Your doctor will work with you to establish a timeframe for the entire process. It will likely be dictated by your natural menstrual cycle.

Your doctor can speak specifically to the success rate that correlates to your age and situation, but generally speaking, the “live birth rate” for IVF in Hong Kong is around 30% per cycle (according to the Hong Kong Medical Journal). However, this is highly variable, and unfortunately, the percentage reduces rapidly the older you get.

IVF Step 1 – Stimulation Of The Ovaries

You will be prescribed fertility medication to trick your body into producing a large number of eggs. The medication is usually self-administered (or you can have your partner do it) via shots in your abdomen or thighs. At set time markers, you will be given transvaginal ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor the progress.

IVF Step 2 – Egg And Sperm Collection

Once the eggs are mature, you will give yourself (or be given) a trigger shot to stimulate ovulation during a set timeframe. Usually, you will have the shot at night and be expected to arrive for egg retrieval at an exact time. Egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure and you might be given antibiotics to prevent infection. The procedure is quick but you are given sedation to relax and prevent any possible pain. The doctor will use an ultrasound to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity to pick up the eggs and transfer them for storage or insemination. It is recommended to skip work or other responsibilities after the procedure. Take a sick day and try to relax.

Your partner will be asked to produce a sample of sperm or will have already had any procedures necessary to produce sperm. In some cases that will mean the sperm is cryo-frozen.

IVF Step 3 – Fertilisation

Now it is time for insemination; the sperm and eggs are mixed together and stored in a lab dish to promote fertilisation. If there are some male factor issues, each egg might need to be injected directly with a single sperm to increase success. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Once the eggs are fertilised (and it is to be expected that not all of them will fertilise) they are considered embryos. Doctors will then wait 3 to 5 days for the embryo to grow before moving on to the next step. While you are waiting, you will continue to take fertility medication if you are going to have a fresh transfer.

IVF Step 4 — Embryo Transfer

Some doctors like to let your body calm down after the stimulation of the ovaries, especially if you’ve developed any of the possible side effects from fertility medication, such as hyper-stimulation.

If you aren’t waiting, you’ll have a fresh embryo transfer. You’ll be asked to come to your transfer with an excruciatingly full bladder, which is probably one of the worst parts of the entire process (besides all the needles). Then the doctor does an unbelievably fast procedure to place the embryo into an ideal location within your uterus. If you are doing a frozen embryo transfer (FET) your doctor will give you a timeline for the transfer, as well as any medications to continue on.

After the transfer, you can proceed with your day as usual, but it’s best to avoid any strenuous activities. Follow your doctor’s advice.

IVF Step 5 – The Wait

The wait will likely be the most excruciating part of treatment. You will continue to take fertility medications to support implantation and will be scheduled to come in for a pregnancy blood test about 10-12 days after the embryo transfer. Someone from the clinic will call you later in the day after you have the blood test in the morning, usually within a specific time frame.

Take into consideration how you will react to the news. Can you handle taking the call at work and getting a disappointing outcome? Can you get positive news and continue on with your workday as normal? Consider taking a half day or working from home if you might be derailed by the news in either scenario. For others, getting on with their day, as usual, might be best.

IVF Step 6 – Next Steps

If you get a positive pregnancy result, you will be scheduled for additional blood tests at specific dates to monitor your hormone levels. That will tell the doctor if your pregnancy is progressing. From there, if all goes as expected, you will have several early appointments to check that the pregnancy is implanted properly and not ectopic and to monitor the progress. So the bright side of all of this is that you will get to see your baby way earlier than “normal.” About 12 weeks into your pregnancy, you will revert to the standard pregnancy care timeline.

If your fertility doctor isn’t going to be the doctor delivering the baby, you would also generally be released from their care at this time and transferred to the obstetrician that you will deliver with.

If the result is not positive, you will want to set up an appointment to decide on your next steps. If you have viable embryos from this round of IVF and your doctor agrees, you can try again for a FET in the next cycle. If you only had one viable embryo and it was used in the transfer, you will need to undergo the entire IVF process again.

What NOT To Say To Someone Trying To Conceive

Hong Kong IVF Clinics

The Council On Human Reproductive Technology has a wealth of information (even if it isn’t presented on a particularly user-friendly website). It also lists all the licensed centres for assisted reproductive treatments in Hong Kong.

Public Assisted Fertility And IVF Clinics In Hong Kong

Hong Kong has three public hospitals that provide IVF services. In order to qualify for public system fertility treatment, it is important to note:

Couples must be legally married heterosexual couples
The female partner must be a Hong Kong citizen
The female partner must be under the age of 40

While subsidised care is available for qualifying couples, patients are still responsible for the cost of medication and laboratory fees. It’s also important to note that the waiting time in the public system can be well over a year. The price range for IVF at public hospitals is based on your treatment plan but could be in the range of $20,000 to $35,000.

Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology (CARE) — Available at both Queen Mary Hospital and Kwong Wah Hospital. www.hkuivf.hku.hk
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Unit — Run from the Prince Of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. www.ivfhk.com

Private Hospitals And Clinics Offering IVF In Hong Kong

Hong Kong has several licensed private clinics. This option provides the most flexibility, shortest wait times and least stringent requirements but it is much more expensive. Couples can expect to pay upwards of $150,000 for one round of private IVF treatment. You can also use the public hospital private route. The only qualification is that patients must be legally married at the time of treatment and costs are a little lower than the private clinics. Each clinic’s costs vary and are based on your specific treatment requirements so contact them directly for specific, up-to-date pricing.

Union Hospital Reproductive Medical Centre — Run from the hospital in Sha Tin and the medical centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. www.ivfhongkong.com
Hong Kong Assisted Reproduction Centre — Central, Hong Kong. www.hkarc.com.hk
Hong Kong IVF Centre — Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. www.hkivf.com
Hong Kong Reproductive Medical Centre — Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. www.fertility.com.hk
IVF Centre — Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Hong Kong. www.hksh.com
ProlIVFic A.R.T. Centre — Central, Hong Kong. www.pivf.com.hk
The IVF Clinic at The Women’s Clinic — Central, Hong Kong. www.thewomensclinic.com.hk

Editor’s Note: All licensed clinic information is gathered from the Hong Kong Council on Human Reproductive Technology and is accurate as of March 2023. Please note that we’ve only included public and private clinics that perform IVF. There are other licensed laboratories that perform testing and other services that can be a part of the IVF process. The complete list, including labs, can be found here. Sassy Mama also referenced The American Pregnancy Association website, www.americanpregnancy.org, during the writing of this article.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Thanks to Adeline Ma, an IVF and ART consultant specialising in helping women navigate the IVF process in Hong Kong.

The post Hong Kong IVF: What To Know About Assisted Reproductive Technology In Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Mama.

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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