1st July 2014- 5 months pregnant.
The first maternity tour I went, and where I was born. Hubby also very keen on this hospital as many of his friends/colleagues gave birth there.
Went for my 230pm scheduled maternity tour today. Since hubby is working, I decided to take MRT to bishan station and hop on their free shuttle bus to Mt. Alvernia (at the bus stand). I checked their schedule online beforehand, as the shuttle bus comes once every 20 minutes. Do remember to give some allowance since the bus do not arrive on time. The ride itself however, was only like 5 minutes.
I took the 135pm shuttle bus and arrive way before the tour. After I reported to the Patient Liaison Centre, which is on the right hand side of the main lobby, they handed me a goodie bag. I walked around the hospital, and there are limited eateries: SushiDeli, Jollibean, Subway and Cafe 820. Cafe 820 has a pretty comprehensive food menu and reasonable prices though.
We started the tour at the centre where the tour executive explain the administrative details:
-What the maternity package includes and prices
-Documents to bring along on the delivery day
-Admission details
-Benefits of Alvernia Ladies card
I find the session quite informative, and would highly recommend mummies-to-be to go for such tours. Since the big day itself would be quite chaotic, knowing the admission details beforehand helps alot 🙂 I was surprised to know that for natural delivery, the labor period is not included in the package. The package starts only after delivering the baby. Before that it is chargeable at daily rate. However, for elective c-section, the package starts when you check-in at the hospital.
Confinement menu includes a double-boiled soup and post-natal drink, so I’m definitely going for it. Other menus include Asian, Western and Vegetarian.
There is a complimentary parentcraft session without deadline, you can go back after discharge to attend the class.
All formula milk will be charged at $1 per bottle, all main brands are available to choose from. If you have no preference, they will use the most common brand.
Medela breast pumps are available for rental @ $20 throughout your stay, including sterilization, so do not need to bring your own.
You can claim additional $450 from Medisave for prenatal charges incurred with your gynae, so remember to bring your receipts along!
Birth registration should be done within 14 days, and cheaper if done at ICA. However, registering at the hospital is more convenient. Just do so at the business centre at level 1 near the lobby.
Discharge time is at 12pm. Afterwhich if discharge from 12-6pm is half day charge, after 6pm is full day charge.
There is a complimentary baby blessing at the chapel available for all religions.
The protocol: During labour, you will be at the observation ward where the nurses will monitor baby’s heartbeat etc (hubby can accompany). During delivery, it will be at the delivery ward (photos can only be taken after baby is born, not the process). Only after delivery, you will be transferred to the maternity ward.
And we start the tour proper. We managed to see the 4-bedder, 2-bedder, single, single deluxe and family suite. All rooms come with attached toilet, TV and Wifi Some of the rooms come with an attached balcony, which basically has no view whatsoever haha. So I would opt for room without balcony if it means larger room space.
4-bedder. The room is very quite spacious. The layout is 3 beds on the same side, and 1 bed is at the opposite side (more privacy I feel) next to the bathroom. There is personal TV mounted above the bed.
2-bedder. I personally feel that the 2-bedder room is quite cramp, and the spacing is similar to 4-bedder. Only thing superior to 4-bedder is to share bathroom with 1 more person instead of 3.
The bathrooms. Pretty decent.
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Single room. The sofa on the most left hand side is where the hubby will be sleeping. There is a charge of $80.25 per day companion stay, which includes lodging and meals. Pillows and blankets will be provided.
Single deluxe room is pretty much the same as single room, except for a bigger room space and larger bathroom. The price difference is also not much, thus, single deluxe is the most popular choice.
The family suite is luxurious (has a sofa sitting area, and the bed sleeping area). This package is inclusive of companion fees.
Then we went to see the nursery, which is on the same floor. Those sweet little angels are so cute! Notice each baby has his/her own shower tub, diapers and baby wipes. These will be the items given free after discharge.
We ended the tour at the parentcraft centre, and got 2 free coupons to redeem a drink at Cafe 820.
Peek inside the goodie bag:
Basically just a bunch of magazines and booklets. And a sample of Anmum Materna milk powder.
2 flavours: Vanilla and Chocolate.
My critic: Mount Alvernia is known to provide excellent and professional maternity services, and many mummies have raved about the good experience giving birth there. I think the only minor issue I have will be the appearance of the wards. I thought they look a little gloomy. Nonetheless, Mount Alvernia is still one of my top choices and I would go for the single deluxe.
How to book the tour:
I sent an email to patientassist@mtalvernia-hospital.org
The schedule for their maternity tours are:
Mondays to Fridays @ 230pm
Saturdays @ 10am or 12pm
xoxo,
singaporenoobmum 