Motherhood: Reasons for Choosing Mount Alvernia Hospital

QW was delivered at Mount Alvernia Hospital (Mt A). Here are some reasons for making this choice:

1. Location: Living in the northeast region, hospitals on the west side of Singapore, such as NUH, are not within our consideration as they are too far from where we live. Mt A was also chosen because of its proximity to my gynaecologist's, Dr Koh CH, clinic.
2. Getting there: There are free shuttle bus serivces from Bishan MRT, Novena MRT and Macritchie resevoir. Hence, it is pretty convenient to get there even by public transport.
3. Car park: With the completion of its new multi-storey car park, parking is no longer an issue. I eliminated Thomson Medical Centre (TMC) right from beginning because the car park there is very small. Whenever I visit my friends there, I had difficulty getting a car park slot within its compound. Even when I tried to find a slot in the HDB car park opposite TMC, I usually have to wait quite sometime before I could get a slot.
4. Cost: Their maternity packages is one of the lowest among the private hospitals based on singaporemotherhood.com. 
5. Mother's recommendation: My two younger sisters are at least 7 years younger than me, both delivered at Mt A. I had fond memories of my mother's stay at Mt A. My mother also recommended Mt A because of the professional and caring staff, and delicious confinement food. I can ascertain that based on my personal experience.
   

   

   Yum yum~

   

   Papaya = no constipation and smooth stools for me. Yay!

6. Lactation consultant: The great thing about Mt A is you get to receive advise on breastfeeding from a lactation consultant for free every morning throughout your stay there. (Whereas TMC charged my friend from 2nd consultation onwards.) I did not get a visit from the famous Sister Kang, but my personal favourite is K. Sarasvathi. She was very clear in her explanation and even asked my husband about my progress after I transferred to single ward. 
   

Of course, there are some cons with Mt A. I chose single ward but was warded into a 4-bedder due to lack of availability. Eventually, I transferred to single ward when it became available. Here are some photos of the single ward:

View from the room I stayed in

Another cons is more prominent if you are quite a shopper and/or needed a break from staying in the room. As compared to KKH (which has a mini shopping street), Mt E and even TMC, Mt A is not close to shopping area.

Last but not least, a word of caution for those who plan to total breastfeed your baby. If your baby does not pass the 1st stool within 24-hr, the nurses there will suggest to give formula. Do make your stand clear to the nurses there.