Childbirth coverage in Singapore is included under maternity health insurance, which typically pays for prenatal and postnatal care, delivery costs for both natural and cesarean births, newborn medical treatment, hospitalization, and vaccinations. This coverage is vital because giving birth in Singapore can cost anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the hospital and delivery method.

For expats, maternity insurance ensures financial protection while providing access to Singapore’s world-class healthcare system. With its reputation as one of the safest countries to raise children, Singapore offers families both high-quality medical care and a secure environment to start their parenting journey.

This Pacific Prime article will go into length on public and private maternity care in Singapore, its costs, whether or not it is covered by maternity health insurance, and how a broker can help. 

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Does Maternity Insurance in Singapore Cover Childbirth?

After a waiting period of 10 to 24 months before your pregnancy, maternity health insurance covers childbirth under the categories of pre and postnatal expenses, maternity-related hospitalization, newborn baby care, primary hospitalization costs, and vaccination cover. 

For more detail, here is a table that outlines the main coverage types of maternity health insurance policies. 

Childbirth Costs in Singapore: Public vs Private Hospitals

The cost of childbirth in Singapore can range from SGD $6,700 to SGD $20,000, with the key variables determining the cost of childbirth being the length of stay, method of delivery, and whether you’re at a public or private hospital. 

For the average cost of common expenses related to childbirth, view the table below: 

Comparing Public and Private Maternity Care in Singapore

Public maternity care in Singapore offers more affordable care, better emergency services, affordable C-sections, and access to extensive examinations. The private sector has shorter wait times, the option to choose an obstetrician, faster claim processing, and more comfortable amenities. 

Below is a table denoting the key advantages of public and private maternity care. 

Key Benefits of Public Maternity Care in Singapore

Public maternity care in Singapore is affordable, has a better emergency capacity, offers affordable C-sections, and provides access to extensive examinations, all of which are catered to nationals and permanent residents in Singapore. 

• Affordable Pregnancy Care: By opting for basic maternity care, your fees will be low. If you’re a Singaporean citizen, fees are even lower. 
• Better Emergency Capacity: Public hospitals are built to handle a larger influx of emergency cases, especially in the event of emergency deliveries. 
• Affordable C-Sections: At public hospitals, C-Sections are generally offered at lower rates than those at private hospitals. 
• Access to Extensive Examinations: In public hospitals, examinations are meant to be as efficient and comprehensive as possible, reducing costs and time. 

Advantages of Private Maternity Care in Singapore

Private maternity care has shorter wait times, offers the choice of obstetricians, has faster claims processing, and maximizes comfort and convenience for all hospital visitors, all of which are advantages for expatriates with private health insurance.

• Shorter Wait Times: Private hospitals in Singapore are prized for the efficiency of their administration, ensuring that patients receive swift care. 

• Choice of Obstetrician: Private hospitals enable you to choose an obstetrician or gynecologist who will tend to your follow-ups and baby delivery. 

• Faster claim processing: With private health insurance, private hospitals will play a part in ensuring that your claims are swiftly processed. In public hospitals, patients must handle all the paperwork themselves. 

• Comfort and Convenience: rooms at private hospitals are more spacious and comfortable, with many services to aid convenience, such as perinatal massages and reserved parking.  

Top Hospitals for Maternity Care in Singapore

For expats looking to start a family or deliver a baby in Singapore, they can visit NUH Women’s Centre, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Alvernia Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital, or Parkway East Hospital. 

Internationally accredited for maternity care, the details of each hospital are as follows: 

NUH Women’s Centre Maternity Services

NUH Women’s Centre offers a wide range of services for childbirth, both before and after birth. They provide free tours of the wards and delivery suites, and extensive programs for expectant parents to keep track of their prenatal, delivery, postnatal, and parenting needs. 

Maternity Care at Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Mount Elizabeth Hospital offers personalized treatment that meets the unique needs of mothers in all stages of pregnancy. This includes prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, along with maternity tours and neonatal services. 

Mount Alvernia Hospital: Maternity Services Overview

Mount Alvernia Hospital offers a comfortable environment for expectant mothers to seek prenatal, delivery, and postnatal services, emphasizing the well-being of both mothers and their babies and placing pro-life and pro-breastfeeding at the forefront of maternity care. 

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Maternity Care

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital is the largest and most prominent maternity hospital in Singapore. They offer a comprehensive range of services for maternal, prenatal, postnatal, fetal, and neonatal care. The hospital is equipped to provide specialized care for expatriate mothers as well.

Maternity Care at Gleneagles Hospital

Gleneagles Hospital’s wards are carefully designed to prioritize the comfort of expectant women throughout their pregnancy, delivery, and stay. The hospital is accredited by the World Health Organization and is known for its practices in prenatal and postnatal care. 

Parkway East Hospital: Maternity Services

Parkway East Hospital is a reputable private hospital specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, and neonatal services. They provide comprehensive maternity services, including postnatal care, for expectant mothers.

Leading International Maternity Insurance Providers

Cigna Global, VUMI, Allianz Care, and AXA are the top international maternity insurance providers. Maternity care, problems during pregnancy and delivery, emergency cesarean sections, and newborn care are all covered by these providers on a global scale. 

Key policy terms and conditions for each insurer are listed in the table below: 

Why Use a Broker for Maternity Insurance in Singapore

Childbirth is extremely expensive in Singapore, but fortunately, it is covered under maternity health insurance. This provides expat families with financial protection in the event that childbirth is expected or imminent. You may also read more about maternity insurance for expats in Singapore. 

If you’re unsure about how to navigate the world of maternity health insurance, fret not, because our brokers at Pacific Prime can provide you with access to tailored coverage for your unique needs, expert advice, policy and claim assistance, and post-sales support. 

Moreover, if you enjoy this article, it’s worthwhile to read up on maternity leave policies in Singapore, C-Section coverage in Singapore, and maternity insurance for expats. These resources will keep you up to speed on expatriate health insurance in Singapore.

These experts will provide unbiased guidance and help you compare plans among the leading insurers to ensure that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions, ensuring a smooth maternal journey.

Start the process by contacting us today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is childbirth covered by health insurance in Singapore?

Childbirth is covered by maternity health insurance in Singapore. Maternity health insurance policies typically cover pre and postnatal expenses, maternity-related hospitalization, newborn baby care, primary hospitalization costs, and vaccination cover. 

What is the cost of childbirth in Singapore?

The cost of childbirth in Singapore can range from SGD $6,700 to SGD $20,000. The cost depends on factors such as the length of stay, method of delivery, and whether you choose a public or private hospital.

What are the advantages of public and private maternity care in Singapore?

Public maternity care in Singapore offers more affordable care, better emergency services, affordable C-sections, and access to extensive examinations. Private maternity care provides shorter wait times, the option to choose an obstetrician, faster claim processing, and more comfortable amenities. 

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Piyanat Jantharot

Content Writer/Marketer at Pacific Prime

Piyanat is a Marketer and SEO Content Writer with an affinity for storytelling and marketing. He works with a team of experienced professionals at Pacific Prime who create a range of engaging and informative content aimed at helping both individuals and companies understand the importance of and benefits of insurance.

Upon graduating from Mahidol University International College’s International Relations program, he spent his career in marketing and business development, working for an international subcontractor, a marketing research firm, an international news agency, a software development company, and a creative agency. His journey now continues at Pacific Prime, where he hopes to make an impact by simplifying insurance and writing a gargantuan amount of SEO articles to draw in billions of leads.

In his free time, Piyanat is an avid martial artist and musician, spending most of his time at boxing gyms in Nakhon Pathom and music studios with his friends in the music industry.

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