Having a Baby in Singapore

One of the cute onesies I found for our baby!

Preparing to welcome our first child in Singapore has been quite a challenge.  When we found out that we were expecting we had so many questions that needed to be answered.  How is the medical care? Where will we deliver? Will my baby be a Singapore citizen? Who will take care of the baby while we work? Where do we buy all the things we need? The list goes on and on!  After lots of research and talking with other expats, who have gone through the same thing, we are starting to feel like we have it figured out. 

Prenatal Care:  I found a local doctor through recommendations by other expats.  She has been fantastic!  I go for a checkup every ~four weeks and get an ultrasound each time.  I know you do not get that many scans in the US so I feel lucky to see my baby so much.  As for insurance, I have US expat insurance so I pay for all my healthcare expenses out of pocket and then have to seek reimbursement from the insurance company.

Delivery:  I will deliver at Gleneagles Hospital here in Singapore.  It is a private hospital with excellent facilities and we know others who have delivered there.  My mother will be coming over two weeks before my due date and staying for at least a month so that she can hopefully be here for the joyous occasion and help me make the transition into motherhood.

Citizenship:  100% American.  Singapore only grants citizenship to babies born to citizens and permanent residents.  Derek and I are neither so our child will not be granted any status by Singapore.  We are both American citizens so our child will also be an American citizen.  Once the baby is born, we will get the certificate of birth abroad and go down to the American embassy to apply for a social security card and a passport.

Maternity Leave:  As an American expat, I follow my company's American maternity policy which means I get 6-8 weeks paid time off and then I will be returning to work.  Singaporeans get 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and I must say I am very jealous.  Two weeks before my due date I will work from home in case I go into labor early.  No one wants their water to break in the middle of the office.

Childcare:  One of the biggest benefits of having a child in Singapore is the affordability of a live-in helper.  This helper is someone who will take care of the baby while we are at work while also helping with cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and pet care.  The cost of a helper here is equivalent to the cost of daycare back in Houston.  We found our helper last weekend and look forward to her starting in January.   We want to all get accustomed to one another before the baby arrives.

Stocking the Nursery:  We are very fortunate that our company provides a shipment of goods from the US when you have a child.  As I have said before, everything is expensive in Singapore so we are going to fit as much in this small container as we can!  We will be shipping over the crib, glider, car seat, stroller, highchair, changing table, rug, bedding and more.  We are going home for Christmas and will fill our suitcases with baby clothes, blankets, towels, and other gifts.  I already brought back three full suitcases when I was in Houston last month.  Amazon recently started shipping for free to Singapore when you purchase $125+ of eligible items.  We have made full use of this and are trying not to buy anything in the US that Amazon will ship here for free.  By maximizing all of these things (yes, I made spreadsheets), we should be able to avoid buying any baby items in Singapore, besides the secondhand items I have already bought from other expats. 

Feeding and Diapers:  I have always planned on breastfeeding my children so I will be doing a considerable amount of pumping at work.  I know it won't be easy but I'm determined to follow through.  To avoid the high cost of diapers here, we have chosen to go with cloth.  Cloth diapers have come such a long way and now fit and function just like disposables. I did a lot of research on cloth and in the end decided the Gro-Via Hybrid diapers would be the best fit for us.  I'm actually really excited about some diapers!

First Trip:  With the baby expected in late March, we will be in a rush to get their passport in time for our trip to the US in early June for my little brother's wedding.  I will be taking a two to three-month-old on a 24 hour flight so prayers are needed.

Less than four months to go!  Baby will be here before we know it!