Mount Elizabeth vs Gleneagles vs Mount Alvernia maternity packages

I went for the maternity tours for these 4 popular private maternity hospitals in Singapore:

Mount Elizabeth Orchard

Mount Elizabeth Novena

Gleneagles

Mount Alvernia

So, I got to know first hand what their packages contain, their facilities and service quality from the tour. I will be doing a comparison here 🙂

For me, I am considering a natural delivery with epidural, single wards. So, I will do a price comparison across the hospitals for this category, which I believe is also what the majority of mummies are going for. However, if you would like to know the other categories, like elective c-section etc, comment below 🙂

Prices are inclusive of GST, accurate as of July 2014.

Mt.E Orchard: $3673

Mt.E Novena: $3673

Gleneagles: $ 3471

Mt.A: $3198

As you can see, for the basic package, Mt.E is the most premium priced, and Mt. A is the most affordable. Mt E Orchard and Novena are priced the same.

Actually, all the 4 hospitals are pretty much similar in their package inclusions.

What I noted are small differences:

Mt A hospital is the smallest of all, not much eateries etc. Their maternity wards are dimmer and more homely feel. There are also no amenities around the hospital.

For Mt E, you can straight away proceed to delivery suite, which is better. However, before your baby is born and the package kicks in, you will be charged the daily ward charges while waiting for delivery. For the rest, you may have to proceed to the common observation ward first where the nurses and midwives check on you.

Mt E both provide complimentary parking, which is quite alot of savings especially if hubby is lodging together.

On top of that, Mt E Novena package is inclusive of lodger’s fees, and free one round of minibar for you to serve your guests.

Some additional perks: Mt E Orchard has celebratory dinner in room, Gleneagles has limousine service.

Mt E Novena is the newest of all, from the moment you step in, u will feel like in a five-star hotel. And there are several shopping malls around. For Mt E Orchard, the location is the best as it is in Orchard Road itself.

Mt A has a chapel and blessing for infants. The nurses have been complimented to be really very experienced.

Maternity tour @ Mount Elizabeth Novena

Mt. E Novena tour is a bit harder to book, not sure whether it is because of only twice a week, or everyone is curious about how this new hospital looks.

I finally managed to book a slot for thurs, 31st July. Currently 25 weeks pregnant, and after touring this hospital, I can finally decide where to deliver 🙂 Also read my post on my unbaised comparison of the 4 private hospitals-mt alvernia, mt elizabeth orchard and novena, and gleneagles.

The new Mt E Novena is located at walking distance from Novena MRT. Unknowingly, there are suddenly so many medical centres in Novena, and various shopping malls like Velocity and Square 2. I have to admit that I seldom come to this part of Singapore.

2 shopping malls and a hotel opposite of Mt E. Novena.

My first impression was that it has a large drop-off area, like a hotel.

Even the reception area is like hotel check-in counter, haha.

Since I arrived early, we were directed to the waiting room, where drinks and crackers were served.

And given the welcome booklet to browse through. They basically only have 2 types of room, single and junior suite.

We started the tour at level 3, delivery suite. The nice waiting area outside the delivery room for family members, as only hubby is allowed in the delivery room.

The delivery suite. There is a sofa on the left side for hubby. Personally, I think that their delivery room pales in comparison to Gleneagles and Mt E. Orchard. Furthermore, there is no armchair for hubby to sit, and the sofa has no leaning cushion.

In cases for emergency c-section, the nurses will push your bed to the operating theater which is nearby and on the same floor.

After recovery from delivery, about 2 hours later, you will be moved to the maternity wards at level 9.

The maternity rooms look very private, and they boast that each room is soundproof and very quiet.

The single room. The package price, unlike the other hospitals, already includes the lodging fee for hubby, as well as free parking. The first round of minibar is also free.

Btw, they are very pro-breastfeeding. And if you want to supplement with formula, have to bring your own milk bottles.

The entire room. The toilet is really big, with provided toiletries from Crabtree and Evelyn.  I also like how there is a desk.

Only managed to capture a photo of the toilet from the junior suite, which is even bigger. It totally looks like some five-star hotel. The junior suite comes with a separate living room area, and an al fresco area, together with unlimited minibar.

We also visited the nursery. All babies will be wearing white. Babies are allowed to room in with mummies, except during bathing etc, where they will be brought back to the nursery.

We ended the tour with some cream puffs and Q&A session.

 

Goodie bag:

My verdict:

I feel that their hospital is no doubt the most luxurious of all in terms of the design of the hospital and wards, and everything is very new with a hotel-feel. I will definitely feel proud to give birth here, and having friends and family come visit. Given that it is priced similar to Mt E. Orchard, I may choose Novena over Orchard.

However, I feel that their staff is the least experienced and unsure about some details that we asked, making me doubt the accuracy of information given during the maternity tour. I have also seen many mummies who delivered there, about billing issues etc. Therefore, their system definitely needs to be improved. Furthermore, paperwork should be the last to worry about when you are having a baby. And if they screw up the billing, resulting in a delay in discharge, I will definitely be stressed and pissed. And I am also unsure of how experienced their midwife/nurses are, and they actually play a big role during early labor before the gynae comes in.

 

Read on more on my comparison between the private hospitals and which one is eventually my choice!

 

To make an appointment for the maternity tour:

Mount Elizabeth Novena: 68986898

Their tour schedules:

-Mount Elizabeth Novena – Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm, Saturdays at 2.30pm

xoxo,

Maternity tour @ Mount Elizabeth Orchard

14/7/14- 22 weeks+ pregnant

This is the third maternity tour that we went for (Read my detailed reviews on the rest). For me, it is important to tour all the hospitals that I’m considering to deliver in, as each hospital has their own policies and delivery/maternity wards. Somemore this is my first child, and the birth experience means alot to me, so abit kiasu over here haha.

We started the tour on level three delivery suite.

 

This is where you report for natural delivery. The operating theater for c-section births is also at level 3, and the registration at level 2 business center.

One thing I like about Mount Elizabeth is that there is no observation ward. When you come in with actual contractions, you will be whisk off directly to the individual delivery suites. You will change into their gowns, and hooked onto a CTG monitor. You can see the machine in the room, and the figures are also fed to the nursing station outside. The delivery suite is actually spacious with an attached bathroom. Note that only one of them comes with a bath tub, and is on first-come-first serve basis.

There are laughing gas provided that mummies can use. And also an injection for pain relief. And if you are taking epidural, best to inform nurse beforehand.

 After delivery, baby will be weighed and tagged in room. You will be able to recover/interact with baby for about 2 hours before going to the maternity wards. Photo-taking are allowed after delivery, no video recording allowed.

The maternity wards are on level 4. We only managed to view the single room, and suites.

Single rooms:

For single wards, there is a same lodger fee of $80++ which includes pillows/blankets and 3 meals a day.

Baby can be in room 24/7.

Amenities include TV, fridge, free wifi.

There is a celebratory dinner: you can choose for 2 pax (romantic dinner), or 6 pax (family celebration). There will be a butler serving food in the room. Niceeee..

Toiletries are provided in the bathrooms.

15 minutes head and shoulder massage.

Overall, the feel is like hotel.

Suites:

For the suites, there is the extra sitting area. The room is bigger as well. But in my opinion, not worth triple the price haha. If really want something luxurious, go for Gleneagles private suites (Read on review on that).

You will have your own nurse and butler for the suite to serve you.

There is also mani/pedi and hair spa. Wow, tai tai life.

We went to see the nursery, which is also on the same level 4. Look at those cute little angels!

We ended the tour at the parentcraft center, where we got to try 3 confinement soups: Papaya fish soup, black bean soup and chicken tonic soup. Tastes pretty good! And also some sandwiches/juices.

You can get free breastfeeding lessons in the morning, or baby bathing lessons in the evenings here during your stay.

 

Btw, there is complimentary parking with unlimited entry/exit during the stay for daddies. Really can save alot, since parking at hospitals/orchard area is expensive!

And their free goodie bag:

Motherhood blooming beauties, and a maternity shawl (by Stemcord)

And inside the motherhood package, free samples and magazines:

Kodomo bag has the following inside:

To make an appointment for the maternity tour: 67312000

Their tour schedules: Mondays to Fridays at 4pm, Saturdays at 11am

xoxo,

Maternity tour @ Gleneagles

7th July 2014- 21 weeks pregnant.

The second maternity tour I went to. I personally am leaning towards this hospital because of it’s atas reputation, and I would like a more luxurious first birthing experience.

Went for the 1pm scheduled tour, and similarly went to the hospital by public transport since hubby is overseas. Took the MRT to Dhoby Ghuat station, and change to buses 7, 77, 106 or 174 to Gleneagles. Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus from Orchard (http://gleneagles.com.sg/en/Contact-Us/Gleneagles-Hospital-Shuttle-Bus-Service).

We started with a short briefing in the main lobby. Btw, during the labour day, you should also alight at the main lobby and take the lift to level 5. There is free valet during office hours if you inform the security that you are in labour. After office hours, inform the security.

If you happen to come in too early, you will be sent to the observation room instead, which are 4-bedders:

Afterwhich, you will be sent to the individual delivery suites, and nurses/trained midwives will check you as well as inform your gynae if you have not called your gynae yet. There will be CTG monitor to check the baby’s heart rate etc, and information is fed directly to the nursing station.

I personally think that the delivery suite looks nice. I will definitely want to labour in here heehee. There is an attached toilet (request if you want a shower), and a recliner seat for daddies-to-be. There is free Wifi in the delivery and maternity suites for you to connect to facebook/tweet/instagram etc. No videography is allowed here. After delivery, there will be 1 hour of bonding time/rest time with your newborn, before being transferred to the maternity wards.

*For c-section, admission is done at level 1, and level 4 is the operating theatre.

We proceed to tour the maternity wards. I love how the corridor looks at Gleneagles as compared to Mt. Alvernia. It is brighter, cleaner and newer here.

2-bedders (TV and DVD players available):

Single:

For single rooms, a lodger fee of $90 applies (includes all meals) for hubby.

For parking, it is at prevailing rates, or a daily cap at $22. There is free limo service on the day of discharge for all room types (woohoo!), so be sure to make use of the service.

Note that the maternity wards and nurseries are at levels 5 and 6, and there are slight differences between the furnishing.

For level 5: wooden flooring, brighter rooms

For level 6: carpet flooring, dimmer rooms

So be sure to indicate during registration if you have any preferences!

Level 10 are the VIP rooms (superior/executive/tanglin suite).

There are also free maternity pads, diapers and baby wipes included in the package for use during stay.

Feel free to loan their breast pumps (no charge) or bring your own (nurse will help sterilize)

Note that 11am is checkout time. And the day you admit is counted as day 1 regardless of whether you come in the day/afternoon/night.

And their confinement menu is awesome! No repeats during the stay.

If you can’t see the words, a sample dinner would include:

-Steamed egg with shredded mushroom and ginger

-Double boiled nourishing fish soup

-Black vinegar and dark soy braised chicken

-Rice/Plain congee

-Lemon grass jelly

Am already looking forward to confinement food heehee. But of course the general menu is also available for choosing.

 

We ended the tour at the parentcraft centre , where they invite you to join their antenatal classes, and information about cordblood banking.

Then, we had light refreshments as well as Q&A session to end off the tour.

The tour experience was good, and Gleneagles do live up to their standards in terms of the environment. However, I was a little disappointed with their goodie bag:

You can book their maternity tour by calling: 64705615

Tour schedules:

Mon-Fri 1pm

Sat 11am or 1pm

xoxo,

 

Maternity tour @ Mount Alvernia

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,