Family

with Zoe Belhomme FIT FAM

Labour Pains F or women nearing the end of their pregnancies this spring, the coronavirus outbreak may have added further considerations to their birth plan. The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has put in place temporary measures that some families may not be fully comfortable with in order to reduce the infection risk for mother and baby. Precautions include partners not being allowed in the birthing suite, a reduction or cancellation of visitation hours and potential isolation of the baby straight after delivery.

As a response, two of the city’s leading medical clinics have teamed up with private international hospitals to offer fixed price packages to women who were planning to give birth in the public system but are now reconsidering their options. These packages don’t just provide a lower price point for private obstetric care, they also cap the cost of vaginal and cesarean deliveries (ensuring that costs don’t spiral out of control) giving new parents peace of mind during these unsettled times.

CENTRAL HEALTH & MATILDA INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL Central Health and Matilda International Hospital have teamed up to provide their own package. Costs are clearly broken down for clarity and include a Central Health obstetrician for delivery, a paediatrician and two to five nights in a shared room (max. 4 mums). A separate fee is charged for induction and additional overnight stays but this is capped. Currently available until 30 April 2020. Vaginal deliveries from $71,350 including epidural anaesthesia, up to $112,800 for emergency cesarean. centralhealth.com.hk

OT&P & ANNERLEY WITH GLENEAGLES HOSPITAL Costs for vaginal birth (spontaneous or assisted), epidural anaesthetic, elective cesarean section and emergency cesarean section are transparent and fixed. Packages include between two to four nights in a standard room (sharing with one other mother) at Gleneagles Hospital, and the delivery will be attended by the on-call OT&P obstetrician and paediatrician - no choosing your OBGYN, unfortunately. Also included is a postnatal visit by one of the Annerley midwives for added reassurance. Currently available until May 30, 2020. Vaginal deliveries from $60,300 excluding epidural anaesthesia, up to $102,700 for an emergency cesarean. otandp.com

CRATE ESCAPE We all worry about our kids getting the right balance of fun, education and stimulation, especially when they’re spending more time at home nowadays. KiwiCo is a company out of the US that delivers the goods needed to stimulate your child's development from birth right up through those challenging teenage years. This subscription service comes with a box of toys, games, crafts and exercises every two months that have been specifically selected to challenge, but not frustrate, your child. The bimonthly kits are divided into age-appropriate crates, starting with younger levels like Panda (0-24 months), Koala (2-4 years) and Kiwi (5-8 years). Older kids can dig into STEM projects or art & design materials with kits that get you making your own ukulele or macrame plant holder. Even if you don’t have kids yourself, this is a great gift idea for an upcoming baby shower, giving a new mum some sensory-rich toys for her newborn. Subscriptions start from $155 per month, or commit to 12 crates over 24 months and the price comes down to $120 per month - less than the cost of one playgroup session! kiwico.com

BOOK REVIEW

TAKE A BREAK, MAMA! Before becoming a mum, mindfulness was something I knew I should make more time for. Now I’ve got a toddler on my hands, a full-time job, and another baby on the way, my mind, body and soul have quickly tumbled down the priority list. Something that’s helped me make room for the zen these days has been “Mindfulness of Mums”. This helpful hardback by British mum Izzy Judd is a collection of simple exercises to help restore calm in the chaos of motherhood. It’s a book to dip in and out of, and includes activities and exercises not only for you, but also your whole family. What I love most about it is that Judd affirms that mindfulness doesn’t need to take all day - just a few minutes of inner calm and reflection is enough to improve your mood, reduce anxiety and ease tension and worries. Costs $118 from blackwells.co.uk, including delivery to Hong Kong.

Zoe Belhomme is our resident fitness writer and new mum. She loves working out, eco-friendly parenting, and partnering with her husband to produce some of the region’s biggest sports events at MBS Concepts. Reach out to her directly with your healthy family news at zoe@liv.media.

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