It is custom to visit a gynaecologist as soon as a pregnancy is suspected or confirmed through a home test. Blood tests at the gynaecologist's office are routinely screened for infectious diseases and AIDS, as well as diabetes and other diseases that may affect pregnancy.

Many doctors have a pregnancy and delivery package where a one-off fee is paid in advance which covers the visits to the gynaecologist, the ultrasounds and the delivery. The cost of the rental of the delivery suite and equipment used in the hospital will not be included in this one-off package but will be charged separately by the hospital.

Permanent Residents and citizens of Singapore have a portion of the costs reimbursed through the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a compulsory fund to which both groups contribute monthly.

Many insurance companies will cover pregnancy and delivery costs as long as pregnancy occurred after signing up for insurance. Some insurance policies offer additional insurance for medical cover in the event of pregnancy.

The Birth

Birth nearly always takes place in a hospital maternity ward, the choice of which will usually be dictated by the gynaecologist and at which hospitals they practise.

Discuss pain relief and epidurals with the gynaecologist beforehand to ensure instructions are followed. This will speed up administration of the drugs because there will be no need to double check with the doctor if they are not in the hospital at the point at which the pain relief is requested.

Home births are extremely rare and not encouraged in Singapore.

After birth a health booklet is issued to the parents by the hospital. Vaccination and other information relating to the baby's health and development will be recorded in this booklet, so it is important to keep it safe.

A paediatrician will examine the baby and start the vaccinations.

Registering the Birth

The hospital will issue the new parents with a Notification of Live Birth form to take to the Registry of Births and Deaths (RBD) to register the newborn and collect a birth certificate.

Some hospitals have counters within their premises where births can be registered and birth certificates can be issued.

• The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has information on birth registration: Click here

Births should be registered within 14 days from the date of birth (including Sundays and public holidays). Births registered after 14 days and within 42 days, are considered delayed registration. If parents fail to register the birth of their child within 42 days they are liable to a fine.

• Registry of Births and Deaths (RBD)
  At: Citizen Services Centre, 3rd Storey ICA Building, 10 Kallang Road (Next to Lavender MRT station), Singapore 208718

Documents required for registration and birth certificate are:

• Notification of Live Birth issued by the hospital
• Both parents' identity cards/passports, entry permits and Disembarkation/Embarkation card issued by ICA (for foreigners)
• Original marriage certificate/booklet (for married parents)
• A letter of authorisation from the parents of the child, if someone else registers the birth on their behalf 

A small fee is levied at the time of registration, and some hospitals may make an additional charge for this service.

Citizenship

Being born in Singapore does not automatically ensure citizenship. For citizenship parents should refer to the country of origin's Embassy or High Commission and register the child for a passport or inclusion in the parents' passports.

Post Natal Care

The gynaecologist will be in charge of the post natal care of the mother. Babies are generally looked after by a paediatrician. Usually one is recommended by the gynaecologist, as they work closely together and ideally will practise at the same hospitals. This is especially practical at the time of birth, should the baby need immediate paediatric attention other than the routine check.

However, it is totally acceptable to choose the paediatrician independently.

Vaccinations

Singapore's infectious disease act provides for the quarantine and prevention of infectious diseases. This act and its regulations require compulsory immunisation of children against diphtheria and measles only.

Generally immunisation is provided against tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B. The chicken pox vaccine is available and will be dispensed on request. All vaccinations are recorded in the health booklet issued at the child's birth.

Immunisation programmes are available to all children in Singapore through government polyclinics, school health services, private and public hospitals and private practitioners/GPs.

Maternity Leave

The law allows eight to twelve weeks of maternity leave to new mothers who are Permanent Residents or citizens. At least four weeks of this must be taken after the birth. It is funded by the employer and government and the mother must meet a number of criteria to qualify:

• Her child must be a Singapore citizen
• She must have fewer than four other living children (excludes adopted and step children) at the time of confinement
• She must be lawfully married to the child's father
• She must have served her employer for at least 180 days before the birth of the child
• For more information from the Singapore Government: Click here

The mother-to-be should inform her employer as soon as possible and at least one week before she intends to start her maternity leave. She should also come to an agreement beforehand with her employer on how and when the leave will be taken.

The employer should, as far as possible, allow the mother to return to the same (or similar) job on return from maternity leave.

Further Information

• Registry of Births & Deaths
  At: Citizen Services Centre
  3rd Storey, ICA Building, 10 Kallang Road, Singapore 208718
  (Next to Lavender MRT station)
  

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