home

Having a Baby

Being pregnant in Jakarta can be a very enjoyable, positive and relaxing time. There are many activities available to keep you healthy and several support groups to keep you well informed. However, where do you have your baby?

Many women decide to return to their home country.They can then be with family members and together they can enjoy and share in the excitement of waiting for the new member of the family to arrive. There is also the comfort that comes from the familiarity of being at home. Medical and nursing standards of care are generally first rate. The downside of going home is the potential disruption of your home life here. Leaving your husband behind, taking your older children with you, staying with family or friends or setting up a rented home for a couple of months. All this can add to the overall stressful nature of the situation. What if you can’t or you don’t want to go home? What are your alternatives?

Many companies and foreign embassies will pay for medical care and lodgings in Singapore for expectant mothers.They have found that the standard of care there is similar to that of their home countries. Furthermore, since there are so many wonderful things to see and do in Singapore, time spent there leading up to the birth can make it a very happy and enjoyable time.

Having a baby in Jakarta is possible too, and many women are electing to do this. However, the standard of care provided here may only be 60 to 70% of the textbook standard that many of us expect or have previously experienced. If you are having a low risk, problem-free pregnancy, then staying here could be an option for you.Talking with some of the the many professionals listed in this chapter wil help you to make an informed decision. Before you decide to go home, go to Singapore or stay in Jakarta, it may be helpful to talk with other women about their child birth experiences. Arrange to visit the hospital prior to the birth in order to view the wards and check-out the facilities first hand. Where to have your baby is a personal and important decision, one that only you and your partner can make.

ANZA (Australian & New Zealand Association) have a pregnant mums group, they meet at 9.30 on Wednesdays before the toddler playgroup starts, this is a great way to meet other pregnant mums in Jakarta! Please call the ANZA house on 7179 3042 or call Raechell on 0813 88158538 for more information.

Read an article here by one of our readers about their delivery experience in Jakarta