My subsequent appointments at NUH – I think I went for about 2-3 more before I switched to KKH – went about the same as my first appointment. I visited the same clinic G and was asked for a urine sample each time, and to take height and weight. I had to go to the pharmacy afterwards to get my multivitamins. Each visit took at least 1.5 hours and there was once it took up to 3 hours. I was taking an advance diploma then at NUS, so I had to rush off after the appointment to attend my class.
During one of the medical appointments, the doctor spoke to my husband and I about doing blood tests to check if the baby has genetic conditions, such as Down Syndrome. The tests are highly accurate. There are two types of tests. In general, the first one is a cheaper test ($100?) that can inform you whether there is a chance your child has these conditions. The second test (called Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)) is a more expensive test. And by expensive, I mean it is around $800+. The accuracy of this test is higher than the first test, and as an added bonus, it tells you in advance the gender of your child. The one that I took at NUH was from the iGene Laboratory, and the other one more commonly offered in Singapore is the Harmony test.
I had heard about these blood tests early on from my friends who gave birth a year earlier, and I was determined to take the expensive test to ensure that my baby is healthy. Knowing the baby’s gender in advance is really just a bonus to me.
Both tests involve taking a blood sample and waiting about two weeks for the result. The result would be communicated to you via the doctor, so it is necessary for you to make an appointment. Take note that this may differ between private and restructured hospitals – my friend took the expensive test at a private hospital and the doctor called her to inform her of the baby’s gender. However, for me I was told to make an appointment.
Also, do note that the cost of the test would not be subsidized just because you are a subsidized patient. I was informed by the nurse that there are no subsidies for the expensive test, and I paid the full amount despite being a subsidized patient at NUH then.
I collected the results during my last appointment at NUH. The results were placed neatly into a folder and passed to us. The first page showed that my child was at low risk of all the listed genetic conditions, and the last page informed us that the child is likely a male.
I was really happy as I was hoping to have a son first then a second daughter. Although my husband said he is ok with either gender, he then started talking excitedly about teaching our boy all the different sports – badminton, skating etc.
At this appointment, I informed the doctor that I was keen to switch to KKH. They did not ask any questions on why, which I found comforting. I asked them for a copy of all the test results and the nurse was very prompt in photocopying everything for me.
It was a short journey at NUH, but I appreciated the care and concern of the nurses and doctors. It was also really a waiting journey though, and I was happy that my experience at KKH was different. Read on to find out more about KKH!