Which Hospital Should I Deliver At in Singapore?

A plain-language comparison of KKH, NUH, TMC, Mount Alvernia, and Gleneagles - costs, services, and how to decide.

Singapore Maternity Hospital Comparison

Singapore has five main maternity hospitals. Two are restructured (public) hospitals and three are private. The choice affects your cost significantly - but both public and private hospitals are medically excellent.

Hospital	Type	Key Features	Normal Delivery Cost	C-Section Cost
KKH	Public	Largest maternity hospital in SG; Level 3 NICU; subsidised wards (C to A)	B2: ~S$2,500-4,000 A: ~S$8,000-15,000	B2: ~S$4,000-6,000 A: ~S$12,000-18,000
NUH	Public	Academic medical centre; Level 3 NICU; West Singapore location	B2: ~S$2,500-4,000 A: ~S$8,000-14,000	B2: ~S$4,000-6,000 A: ~S$12,000-18,000
TMC	Private	Singapore's largest private maternity; NICU; all rooms private; Novena area	~S$6,000-12,000	~S$12,000-18,000
Mount Alvernia	Private	Mission hospital; smaller, family-feel; strong breastfeeding support; no 24hr NICU	~S$8,000-15,000	~S$15,000-22,000
Gleneagles	Private	Premium service; Napier Road location; NICU available; international patients	~S$10,000-18,000	~S$18,000-28,000

Costs are estimates only and vary by gynae, ward class, duration of stay, and complications. Always get a detailed quote from your hospital. Last updated April 2026.

How to Use MediSave for Your Delivery

MediSave can offset a significant portion of your delivery costs at any hospital, public or private. Here are the current withdrawal limits per day of hospitalisation:

S$450

Per day (normal delivery)

S$900

Per day (caesarean section)

Up to S$2,150

Additional for surgical fees

MediSave Tips

- You can use your own MediSave OR your spouse's MediSave (or both)
- MediShield Life covers a portion of hospitalisation costs on top of MediSave
- Integrated Shield Plans (IP) from AIA, Prudential, NTUC Income, Great Eastern can cover private hospital costs substantially
- If you have an IP, call your insurer before delivery to get a pre-authorisation letter
- Check if your IP covers your chosen gynae - not all gynaes are on all panels

Subsidised vs Private - How to Decide

There is no single right answer. Both public and private hospitals in Singapore have excellent outcomes. The main differences are comfort, cost, and continuity of care. Here is a decision framework:

Choose KKH / NUH if:

- You want to minimise out-of-pocket costs
- You have a high-risk pregnancy (best NICU access)
- You do not have an Integrated Shield Plan
- You are comfortable with rostered (on-call) doctors rather than your own gynae for delivery

Choose Private if:

- You have an Integrated Shield Plan that covers it
- You want your own gynae to deliver your baby (not the on-call doctor)
- You value a private room and more personal nursing ratio
- You want a birth plan respected by a consistent team

Questions to Ask Your Gynae

1. Which hospital(s) do you have privileges at?
2. Will you personally deliver my baby, or will it be the on-call doctor?
3. What is your C-section rate? (National average is about 30-35%)
4. What NICU facilities are available if my baby needs intensive care?
5. Is there a lactation consultant on staff?
6. What is your policy on birth plans and pain relief options (epidural, gas)?

The Polyclinic Shared Care Option

If you are a low-risk pregnancy on a tight budget, Singapore's polyclinic shared care model is a great option. You attend most routine antenatal visits at your nearest polyclinic (e.g., Queenstown, Tampines, Woodlands) and only see your hospital specialist for key scans and your delivery.