ONE of the most popular questions my husband and I received during my pregnancy was: “Which hospital will you be delivering at?”
There was nothing wrong or offensive about the question – it’s a common one.
And from the very beginning, we had our minds set on delivering at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
Still, our answer was often met with scepticism and the usual follow-up: “Why not go to a private hospital instead?”
As tax-paying citizens, we saw this as a good opportunity to utilise our public healthcare system – a system that, in my opinion, we should all be proud of.
After all, Malaysia is among the few countries that offer affordable, accessible public healthcare, unlike countries such as the United States, where medical bills can spiral out of control.
Of course, we did consider the option of delivering at a private hospital in Kuching.
But when we looked into it more seriously, there were too many uncertainties.
There were no definite cost estimates, and no guarantee that the delivery would be straightforward or free from complications.
Friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who had delivered at private hospitals shared their experiences – and their bills.
Some were lucky, with smooth deliveries that cost around RM3,000 to RM5,000.
Others, however, ended up with charges ranging from RM15,000 to RM20,000.
For first-time parents like us, this uncharted territory was daunting.
We couldn’t ignore the “what ifs”.
What if I needed an emergency procedure?
What if the baby required extended care?
These thoughts made us more anxious than reassured.
And as it turned out, our instincts weren’t wrong.
My labour and delivery journey spanned two long days, followed by a five-day hospital stay.
I was admitted on July 8 for induction, and our son was born on July 10.
After birth, he was diagnosed with jaundice – a common condition among newborns – and had to stay for another five days under observation, as per hospital protocol.
I understand that government hospitals, especially in the maternity and labour wards, sometimes get a bad rap.
I will admit that I had my share of doubts too.
I wondered whether I would be given enough attention, whether the staff would be kind, or whether I’d feel like just another number in a crowded facility.
But my experience at SGH defied every unpleasant assumption I had heard or imagined.
Upon arriving at the labour ward for registration and assessment, I was promptly attended to by the nurses and doctors.
Although I was only 2cm dilated, I was admitted right away and transferred to the maternity ward, where I joined many other women who, like me, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their little ones.
It was in this shared space that I found unexpected comfort and camaraderie.
I made new friends in the neighbouring beds – experienced mothers who generously shared their stories, tips, and words of encouragement with first-time mums like myself.
The nurses on duty worked tirelessly around the clock, and their kindness and attentiveness did not go unnoticed.
One of the memories that has stayed with me was seeing husbands coming in with bags of goodies, lovingly checking in on their wives – mine included.
That simple gesture, repeated across the ward, was a quiet but powerful reminder that we were all surrounded by support, love, and shared anticipation.
On the second day of being admitted, the nurses informed me that I would be taken to the labour ward.
I remember it was just after evening visiting hours – my husband had just left.
As they wheeled me out in a wheelchair, I quickly called him.
At that moment, he had just arrived at a restaurant to get dinner.
He devoured his meal in minutes and rushed back to SGH to be with me.
I know some women are apprehensive about delivering at government hospitals, especially due to uncertainty about whether their husbands will be allowed to accompany them during labour.
Thankfully, this was possible at SGH.
My husband was permitted to be by my side throughout the entire process – from the early stages to the height of my contractions.
I think this made all the difference.
Having someone you trust next to you, especially during moments of pain and vulnerability, brings a sense of calm and reassurance that no amount of medication can replicate.
My husband held my hand through every contraction, offered words of comfort when I felt overwhelmed, and reminded me to breathe when I forgot how.
Labour wasn’t easy.
The pain was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
At times, I felt like giving up – but his presence gave me the strength to push through.
Every time we heard the cries of newborns from the other rooms, my husband would touch my belly and say, “Come on, baby, your friends are out already. You must be next.”
That simple sentence, light-hearted as it was, brought a smile to my face each time.
In those quiet, uncertain hours filled with anticipation and pain, his words felt like a small anchor – something to hold on to.
What moved me most was what he didn’t say outright.
He never explicitly expressed how excited he was, but in those moments – in that one simple sentence – saw it.
I saw the joy, the nervous excitement, the readiness in his eyes.
And somehow, that made me fall in love with him all over again.
It was in that tender mix of humour and hope that I realised just how much he was looking forward to meeting our son.
His quiet presence, steady support, and those small but meaningful gestures spoke volumes.
In that dimly lit labour room, between contractions and countdowns, I was not just becoming a mother – I was also witnessing the beautiful unfolding of fatherhood.
The nurses and midwives were just as supportive, guiding me every step of the way.
They checked in frequently, monitored my progress patiently, and encouraged me with kindness that felt genuine and personal.
I never once felt alone or neglected – quite the opposite. I felt seen, heard, and cared for.
And then, after what felt like an eternity of contractions and effort, my baby was born.
That moment – when I heard his first cry – made every ounce of pain, the sleepless hour, and every bit of uncertainty melt away.
It was the beginning of something beautiful.
And I am grateful I got to experience it in a place where compassion met professionalism, surrounded by people who treated me not just as a patient, but as a mother in the making.
Looking back, I am grateful for the care I received – and for trusting a public healthcare system that so many often overlook.
SGH gave me a safe place to bring my son into the world, and I am proud to say I delivered at our general hospital.
Of course, there is always room for improvement at SGH – particularly when it comes to the training and supervision of housemen, as well as certain aspects of the paediatric ward.
These experiences, and my thoughts on them, I will share in next week’s column.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sarahhafizahchandra@gmail.com.
