Family Planning
Everything expat parents need to know about having a baby in Singapore - from choosing your hospital to maternity insurance, confinement care, and planning for your newborn's future.
Where to Deliver
Singapore offers excellent maternity care at both public and private hospitals. Your choice depends on budget, preferences, and any specific medical needs.
Singapore's leading maternity hospital with 25,000+ deliveries annually. Comprehensive women's and children's services. Modern facilities with hotel-like rooms.
Premier private hospital in Orchard Road. Excellent for high-risk pregnancies with comprehensive specialist support. International patient services.
Beautiful garden setting near Botanic Gardens. Well-regarded maternity services with experienced obstetricians. Good for routine to moderate-risk pregnancies.
Not-for-profit Catholic hospital known for compassionate care. More affordable than other private hospitals. Popular with budget-conscious expats.
Central location near Bugis. Comprehensive maternity packages with transparent pricing. Part of Raffles Medical Group network.
Community hospital serving the East Coast area. Intimate setting with personalized care. Good option for expats living in the East.
Singapore's largest public maternity hospital. Specialist in high-risk pregnancies with Level III NICU. Best choice for complicated cases.
Academic medical centre with excellent obstetrics department. Good for those living in the West. Strong research capabilities.
Singapore's oldest and largest hospital. Comprehensive facilities with experienced obstetricians. Close to CBD.
Expats pay unsubsidized rates at public hospitals. Choose Class A (single room) for privacy comparable to private hospitals, but at lower cost. You get the same excellent doctors at 30-40% less than private hospital prices.
💡 Tip: Meet 2-3 ob-gyns before deciding. Most offer initial consultations where you can assess compatibility. Ask friends and expat groups for recommendations.
Financial Planning
Understanding the full cost of having a baby in Singapore helps you plan and budget accordingly. Here's a comprehensive breakdown from prenatal to delivery.
~10-12 visits over 9 months
OSCAR, blood tests, ultrasound
Optional genetic screening
Detailed fetal assessment
Gestational diabetes screening
Folic acid, vitamins, etc.
Single room accommodation
Hospital delivery charges
Doctor's professional fee
If epidural is used
Newborn assessment
Hospital supplies, medications
Add $3-5K for C-section
Total prenatal + delivery
Natural delivery, single room
With complications coverage
*Costs are estimates and vary by hospital, doctor, and individual circumstances. Complications can significantly increase costs.
Protection
Important: Standard health insurance typically DOES NOT cover normal pregnancy and delivery. You need specific maternity coverage, and it comes with significant waiting periods.
Maternity insurance has mandatory waiting periods of 10-24 months before benefits kick in. This means you need to purchase coverage well before getting pregnant. If you're already pregnant, you typically cannot add maternity coverage.
→ Plan ahead: Get maternity insurance 1-2 years before you plan to conceive.
Specific pregnancy coverage designed for maternity needs. Affordable option with cash payouts or coverage benefits.
Maternity benefits bundled with protection plans like ILP or whole life insurance. Long-term savings with maternity coverage.
Most comprehensive option. Global coverage with maternity benefits added. Waiting period: typically 10-12 months.
💬 Need Help? Not sure which maternity plan suits you best? PM us on WhatsApp for a free consultation.
Don't wait until you're pregnant. Get maternity insurance now to ensure you're covered when you need it. Our advisors can help you compare options.
Get Maternity Insurance QuoteEntitlements
Singapore offers statutory maternity and paternity leave, but entitlements differ significantly between Citizens/PRs and foreigners. Here's what you need to know.
16 Weeks Paid Leave
Depends on Employment Contract
2 Weeks Paid Leave
2 Weeks (Employer-Paid)
Company Policy Only
Working fathers who are Singapore Citizens can share up to 4 weeks of the mother's 16 weeks maternity leave. This is in addition to the 2 weeks paternity leave, giving fathers potentially 6 weeks of leave.
Note: Requires mutual agreement between parents. Mother must be eligible for maternity leave benefits.
If your employer doesn't offer paid maternity leave, negotiate! Many companies are willing to provide benefits beyond statutory requirements to retain talent. Check if your company has a global parental leave policy that might apply to you.
Post-Natal Care
"Confinement" is a traditional post-natal practice common in Asian cultures where new mothers rest for 28-40 days while receiving special care. Many expats embrace this tradition for its practical benefits.
A trained caregiver who lives in your home for 28+ days. Handles baby care, cooks special confinement meals, and helps mother recover.
💡 Book 3-6 months in advance! Good nannies are in high demand.
Hotel-like facility where mother and baby stay for the confinement period. All services on-site with professional staff.
💡 Great if you want a break from home duties. Tour facilities before booking.
| Factor | Confinement Nanny | Confinement Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (28 days) | $3,000-$6,000 | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Location | Your home | Centre facility |
| Family involvement | High (dad/family present) | Limited (visiting hours) |
| Privacy | Shared space with nanny | Private suite |
| Professional support | Nanny expertise varies | Full team (nurses, lactation) |
| Best for | Budget-conscious, family bonding | Maximum rest, first-time moms |
Get Ready
Pack your hospital bag 2-4 weeks before your due date. Here's everything you need for a comfortable hospital stay.
💡 Most hospitals provide basic baby supplies during stay. Check what's included.
💡 Make copies of all documents and store digitally.
Post-Delivery
Congratulations! Once your baby arrives, there are important administrative tasks and planning considerations. Here's your post-birth checklist.
Must register within 14 days at ICA. Hospital usually assists with this. Birth certificate will be issued.
Apply at your embassy/consulate for baby's citizenship documents if not Singaporean.
Confirm maternity leave start date and any benefits claims.
Add baby to your health insurance policy. Most require notification within 30 days.
Choose a pediatrician for ongoing care and vaccinations. First check-up usually 1-2 weeks after birth.
If you're on a work pass, apply for baby's Dependant's Pass through your employer.
Open a children's savings account to start saving for baby's future.
Consider hospital insurance, critical illness cover, and education savings plans.
Singapore is one of the most expensive places to raise a child. Here's what to budget for:
Monthly childcare
Monthly formula & diapers
International school (annual)
Birth to 18 years total
Source: Various Singapore studies. Costs vary significantly based on lifestyle and school choices.
Child Health
Singapore has a National Childhood Immunisation Schedule. Vaccinations are available at polyclinics, GP clinics, and hospitals.
| Age | Vaccinations | Est. Cost (Private) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | BCG, Hepatitis B (1st dose) | Hospital fee |
| 1 month | Hepatitis B (2nd dose) | $30-$60 |
| 2 months | 6-in-1 (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB), Pneumococcal, Rotavirus | $200-$350 |
| 4 months | 6-in-1 (2nd dose), Pneumococcal (2nd), Rotavirus (2nd) | $200-$350 |
| 6 months | 6-in-1 (3rd dose), Pneumococcal (3rd), Rotavirus (3rd - if needed) | $200-$350 |
| 12 months | MMR (1st dose), Pneumococcal booster, Varicella (Chickenpox) | $200-$350 |
| 15-18 months | MMR (2nd dose), DTaP booster | $150-$250 |
| 10-11 years | Tdap booster, HPV (2 doses for girls) | $80-$400 |
| Annually | Influenza (recommended) | $30-$50 |
Polyclinics offer vaccinations at subsidized rates (for children of citizens/PRs). Even for foreigners, polyclinic prices are often 30-50% cheaper than private clinics.
Use the HealthHub app to track your child's vaccination records. All vaccinations administered in Singapore are automatically recorded in the National Immunisation Registry.
Immigration
A child born in Singapore doesn't automatically become a Singapore citizen. Citizenship depends on the parents' status. Here's what you need to know.
Your child is a Singapore citizen at birth if:
For unwed parents: Child can acquire citizenship through the SC mother. For SC father, child must be legitimized by marriage.
If both parents are PRs (not citizens), your child born in Singapore is:
To apply for PR for your child: Apply through ICA website. Processing time: 4-6 months typically.
If neither parent is SC/PR, your child born in Singapore:
If your child is a Singapore citizen, they must renounce any other citizenship by age 22. Male citizens must complete National Service (NS) before renouncing.
More Resources
Baby fairs happen monthly at Expo and other venues. Great for deals on baby gear!
From maternity insurance to hospital selection, our team can help you navigate parenthood in Singapore. Get personalized advice and recommendations.