Navigate your Foreign Service OB medevac with this first-hand account of welcoming a new baby in Singapore. Discover invaluable tips and recommendations on everything from doctors and lodging to essential paperwork and baby gear for a smooth experience.
BABY
MEDEVAC
SINGAPORE
Toolkit
If you're reading this, you're likely either thinking about or navigating one of the most exciting and sometimes overwhelming journeys in the Foreign Service: welcoming a new baby while posted overseas! When my husband and I found out we were expecting, we were flooded with questions.
The State Department's "New Parent Guide" is a fantastic resource, but let's be honest, sometimes you just want to hear from someone who has been there. After our own incredible obstetric (OB) medevac experience, I wanted to share our story of welcoming our little one in the beautiful city of Singapore.
The Big Decision: Why Singapore?
While the Department of State encourages delivering in the U.S., it's not always the best fit for every family. For us, the U.S. felt a world away from my husband's post, and I didn't have an established OBGYN there. We were given the option of a location with a strong family support system, but since we didn't have one, Singapore became the top choice. It was a relatively short flight from our home post, and we'd heard rave reviews from other FS families about their experiences there.
We initially heard whispers that Bangkok was the designated medevac point, but we learned directly from MED that for our region, it was Singapore. Always confirm your designated location with the Health Unit!
Finding Your A-Team: Doctors & Hospitals
Finding the right doctor can make all the difference. We were incredibly fortunate to work with Dr. Lai Min Fong from A Company for Women. While I was initially hesitant about having a male doctor, his website's focus on "mother's choice" rang true. He was amazing at laying out all the options and helping me weigh the risks and benefits of each decision, truly empowering me throughout the process.
His practice is conveniently located at the Camden Medical Centre, just a short walk from both Gleneagles Hospital (where we delivered) and the U.S. Embassy. This proximity was a lifesaver for appointments!
Home Away from Home: Accommodations & Per Diem
The New Parent Guide outlines that you'll be on per diem for up to 45 days before and 45 days after delivery. Finding lodging that fits within those rates while being comfortable for a long stay is key. We hit the jackpot with
Susan Lee and her team were fantastic and worked with us to find a solution that fit our per diem. The apartments are spacious and fully equipped (hello, dishwasher, oven, and in-unit washer/dryer!), which is a dream with a newborn. The spare bedroom was extremely helpful when we needed to switch-up who needed to rest.
Room Interior - Living and Dining Area
Great World Pool was incredible with adequate seating areas.
Pros of staying at Great World:
Amazing Amenities: The pool was a daily ritual on hot Singapore days, and the 24-hour gym was great. It was also a weight off for the pregnant mama's back.
Incredible Service: The staff were so kind, even hand-delivering packages to our room.
The Mall Connection: A direct, sheltered walkway connects the apartments to the Great World mall. This was the best part!
Some notes about the mall. Sticker shock is real. Singapore is not cheap and that's just going to be the reality for you. The grocery stores in the basement (CS Fresh & Meidi-Ya) took sticker shock to a whole different level. Yes, that's what the per diem is for but remember you're on the Washington, DC rates - not the Singapore rates!
If you were willing to explore a bit, FairPrice market offered much more affordable groceries in multiplelocations!
Metro: Great World has immediate bus and metro access. It makes getting around a well-connected city even easier.
Rewards Program: We signed up for the Great Rewards app (Apple | Android), linked our stay and purchases, and earned about $250 in cash to spend at the mall!
The Paperwork Parade: Birth Certificates, Passports & More
Don't let the post-baby admin intimidate you! Singapore is incredibly efficient.
Birth Certificate: The morning after our baby was born, I registered the birth online using the LifeSG app (Apple | Android). It was simple, fast, and cost only about $15!
Passport Photos: Taking a passport photo of a newborn is a comedy of errors. We took our own photos against a neutral background and then emailed them to Color Junction for printing. They were so patient with our many attempts!
Color Junction notice about baby passport photos - must be a regular ask!
CRBA & Diplomatic Passport: The U.S. Embassy's eCRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) system was surprisingly straightforward. Both parents and the baby must attend the interview. The entire process, from submitting the eCRBA to having the passport and report in hand, took about three weeks. Luckily, our home post arranged a visa on arrival for the baby, which removed a huge layer of stress.
Pro-Tips for Your Singapore Stay
Beyond the official steps, here are a few things that made our Singapore medevac a breeze:
Baby Gear & More: The Great World mall has a fantastic store called motherswork, which became our go-to resource. It was the perfect place to buy essential gear. We opted for the Doona Car Seat & Stroller, which was an absolute game-changer for getting around the city with one piece of gear and for our eventual flight home. Being able to run down to motherswork to look through their wares and find exactly what we needed was priceless.
Helpful Courses:Tanglin Mall (right next to the U.S. Embassy) has a Mother & Child Centre that offers fantastic CPR and First Aid courses for babies. We took one and it gave us so much peace of mind.
Lactation Support: I highly recommend lactation consultant Hui Tze (+65 9767 1687). She came to our apartment (covered by insurance with proper submission!), was incredibly patient, and was a calming presence during a stressful time.
Pediatrician Powerhouse: We saw Dr. Belinda Murugasu-Koh for our baby’s first check-up. As her glowing reviews on Sassy Mama Singapore will tell you, she is a true expert. She detected a small heart issue with our little one with such gentleness and care. Her office is busy for a reason—she's worth it!
DPO Mail: The U.S. Embassy mailroom was kind enough to provide us with a DPO address, which was a huge help for ordering specific items from the U.S. Your mileage may vary, but it's worth asking!
Repaying MED: Remember that you'll need to reimburse the State Department after your insurance pays for the hospital stay. Get an itemized bill from the hospital before you leave and verify it. For us, insurance paid out about five months before State requested repayment. It was a simple online payment—and yes, you can use a credit card and get those points!
This is where having a mobile hotspot with pre-paid SIMs that we could purchase at 7-11 on a 30 day basis offering unlimited 5G data. We would just throw it in a backpack and carry it around with us while out and about on the town and enjoy data.
Our medevac in Singapore was an unforgettable chapter in our Foreign Service story. It was a time of immense change and joy, made smoother by the incredible resources and professionals we found along the way. If you're heading to Singapore for your own delivery, know that you're in for a wonderful experience.
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