Hi All,
Thank god and i express my highest keyukuran to Allah swt for showering us with two little angel; 'Aaliah Batrisyia and Muhammad Ammar into our life. They really changed our life for the better. It rather took me awhile to get an idea for writing this general guidance but i think its really necessary as many of soon to be parents are unaware and sometime very poor in making wise monetary decision when it comes to the preparations of greeting that special someone.
The incident that happened a few months back is the main reason for us to publish this simple guidance as we are extremely troubled with it as it took the joy and satisfaction of having your own baby. Just imagine having to take a loan just to pay the delivery fees? We were dumbfounded and to tell you the truth; quite mad with both parents - not doing proper homework and also the hospital - insanely delivery charges. Common friends, we should be jumping of joy like mad and NOT feeling depressed and down after getting the most profound news in our life! Anyways, let us stress dear readers that this is all are individual preference and directed to those who are desperately searching for "less expensive" alternative with the same amount of quality and care. To those who has lots of moolah to burn or Insane company benefits (I really envy some of my close friends on this hehehe_rezeki masing2 no heheh) feel free to deliver anywhere heheehehehe
1. Let's start with what our LEAN way for both 'Aaliah and Ammar cases.
During the early stages of pregnancy, we sat down (i and my lovely nad) and discussed whole heartedly (is there a word?? hehe) on how we going to approach this miracle. We brainstormed-asked around-read dozens of online forums- called our doctor friend to get as much as info we could lay our hands on before making the right choices! We would like to stress the importance of asking! Knowledge is the pinnacle of greatness and with knowledge, you can achieve alot in your life plus get an enormous discounts plus savings on hospital fees and medications hehehehe.
After awhile and having friends with troubled and complications during delivery; we strongly feel that government hospital aka general hospital are the safest backup any soon to be parents need to have! Just imagine, we heard countless of cases where they had to transfer patients to general hospital last minute when they realized that either the mum's life/child's life or both life's are in danger of fear having bad reputations? I really don't know the extent of this really and hope people put there with true life experienced enlighten us with this one. So to get a hold of this wonderful and usefull backup, you really need to check in one of the thousands Klinik Kesihatan Kerajaan or the general hospital nearest to you and obtain the RED CARD! - Lifeline hehehe.
Cost? Your Kad Nikah and a mere RM1. I was shocked first time hearing the nurse tell me and still am amaze with the amount up to now. The only catch is that there are hundreds who thinks as you and you really need to get there early to get the number. For me this is not a problem as the klinik kesihatan is a few km away from my house. Gotta sacrifice a few minutes of morning sleep but its totally worth it. You get the card and it opens your option to the few puluh general hospital located in Malaysia heheeheh. Be extra careful also as this first trimester is the most important phase on your babies growth. Heed all the warnings and recommendation given and always pray pray pray to Allah for the well being of both mum and your child.
2. Checkups + Iron / obumin suppliment. As for us, we followed the schedule stated on the Red Card to the day. Better pray in advanced also so that the attending nurse is not the "harimau betina" type hehehe. Follow all their advice such as filling up the growth chart, etc etc. We followed this routine for 7 months++ and in the mean time searched high and low for suitable specialist center to deliver our babies hehehe.
3. 2D/3D scan. Compare between clinics! The average price ranges between RM30 to RM45 for a normal 2D Scan and print as shown below:
and from RM60 (Yes you read it right heheheh) to RM400???? --- A true figure from Nad's office mate .. please guys, 3D don't need to be that EXPENSIVE heheh.. anyways, here's a snippet of our Ammar's full 3D scan which lasts about an hour (due to his stubbornness heheeh) and costs a mere RM60 with a CD given:
Our's Pick:
2D: Klinik Nik Suzet; Near Unisel Shah Alam
3D: Vision College; Kelana Jaya Parkview Tower
4. Hospital/Specialist Selection.
Guys, beware... This is one of the most important decision you have to ever make. Just imagine, I used to hear people talking about healing institutions ie hospital where making moolah/money is their main objective. It really stunned me when a few of my close friends revealed that instead of being able to deliver normally, they would often suggest C-sect plus a whole barrage of procedures just to squeeze every cent from you. The highest I've heard was a cool 16k!! Mind you that there a couple of reason why the price differs from each hospital. A few reason that i could think of now are:
1. Establishment's name - common; Gleneagles and GHKL? where do u think costs more? heheh
2. Service offered - There are places where you can witness and even photo/record your baby delivery (I like this!!) and there are places which forbid this.
3. Comfort level
4. Privacy option
5. etc etc ... readers can input more
Another important factor to consider is the attitude of the establishment towards breastfeeding policy! Do you know that THE MOST critical moments after delivery is that 1 hour time frame as your wife's body produces colostrum and another important key element which i happen to forget (will definitely update this asap) that is full of carbo-protein-antibodies but low in fat? My doc Siti told me that these precious milk/hour after delivery is the difference between your baby's health in the long run plus the success of breastfeeding normally but yet there are other private hospitals which defy this and not only separate your newborn with the mother for along time after birth but introduce formula milk hence defying your newborn with those precious nutrition and the chance of getting proper breast milk! Marahnye biler dengar nih!!! So parents to be - make sure that you discuss this thoroughly and ask the prospect hospital their policy on this before making that decision!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colostrum
We did our extensive homework when it comes to selecting the birth place of our 'Aaliah & Ammar (Ammar's was easy heheh). We met friends, ask the price range and made a pro and cons list for each every one of the selection near to our house; Yep, as one wise men told me; location! location! location!. In our case there's a few choices which includes UH, SJMC, Selangor Medical Center, KJMC, GH, to name a few. Already went to most of the list above when luck and destiny played its part. So to cut the long story short, while we were at UH (University Hospital), we went to Menara Timur's cafeteria to have our breakfast when we were disturbed by somebody who turns out to be the PA for a very prominent Gynae in UH.
After a short discussion with her, she set an appointment with Prof Dr Siti and decided to deliver our 'Aaliah and then Ammar @ UMSC (Univeristy Malaya Specialist Centre). One of the reason we love Dr Siti so much is the fact that she really believes in normal delivery. Take my wife's experience as an example. It was a long 16 hours stretch of labor pain when Nad delivered our beautiful 'Aaliah. Dr Siti did not once offered my wife anything / procedures other than normal delivery as she trusted my wife will to deliver normal.
Syukur alhamdulillah when both of our 'Aaliah and Ammar was born, Dr Siti gave a quick rinse and gave them to my Nad for their much needed precious breast milk. For me this is extremely important as it quickly establish that mum-son/daughter bond which is for me "priceless".
Reason's for picking Universiti Malaya's UMSC (University Malaya Specialist Centre)
1. Great staff
2. Great privacy plus a very cool delivery room - I can move freely and take pictures when all the magic is happening.
3. Price - Extremely low compared to other specialist out there.. Seriously can cater the normal 2.5k and (c-sect) 4.5k range offered by company benefits heheh.
5. The comfort level - Extremely high on this.
6. Gives us that "peaceful" feeling knowing that there are plenty of on call specialist nearby and the fact they are merged with UMMC - university malaya medical center which also uses the REDCARD is also comforting hence they wont transfer people anytime soon heheheeh --- > penting oooo nih
7. Great gynae and pediatric doc!!! Thank you Dr Prof Siti & Dr Lim!!! We owe you both of our son and daughter heheheh... syukur alhamdulillah.
p/s: Will edit soon when I have the time... stay tuned
