Pregnant in Hong Kong as an expat: the first things to do
2 things decide the shape of the whole pregnancy and both happen in the first weeks: whether you hold a Hong Kong ID card yet, which sets what the public system charges you, and what your employer's medical plan pays. Book the first antenatal visit with the Hospital Authority, read the policy, and then choose public or private. Checked 22 September 2026.
Book your first antenatal visit with the Hospital Authority
The antenatal service is moving from the Maternal and Child Health Centres to the Hospital Authority in two phases, not all at once. Phase one started on 6 July 2026 and moved 15 MCHCs into nine public hospitals; phase two follows in 2027. Checked against info.gov.hk on 22 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 8 and week 10 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · info.gov.hk
Decide public or private, and find out what your cover pays
For an eligible person the public route is heavily subsidised but no longer nominal: under the fees reform an acute hospital ward bed is HK$300 a day from 1 January 2026. Checked against ha.org.hk on 22 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 9 and week 12 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · ha.org.hk
The scans and screening
Since the antenatal service began moving to the Hospital Authority on 6 July 2026, the scans and screening are arranged by the hospital obstetrics department that took your booking rather than by a Maternal and Child Health Centre — that much is on the government's announcement. Checked against info.gov.hk on 22 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 11 and week 21 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · info.gov.hk
Confirm the hospital booking and pay the deposit
Private hospitals want the booking confirmed and a deposit paid months ahead, and the popular obstetricians deliver at only one or two of them. In the public system a 'booked' case needs 2 things, not one: a confirmed booking for the delivery AND antenatal check-ups done with the HA hospital. Checked against ha.org.hk on 22 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 22 and week 24 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · ha.org.hk
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