Under Singapore law, if a maid gets pregnant, she will get repatraited immediately or employers stand to lose their $5,000 security deposit.

However, for Madam W L Lim's maid (Nina), regular medical tests failed to indicate her pregnancy and eventually she gave birth to a premature baby boy.

In the local newspaper report, Madam Lim was shocked when she was rang up by the police who told her Nina just gave birth.

The sizeable bill of $5,500 for her maid's Caesarian delivery on Dec 11, ballooned to $67,000 for the hospitalisation of Nina's 27-week old premature baby boy, now warded at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) Intensive Care Unit.

It was like a maid employer's nightmare come true. According to Dr Juliana Abu-Wong, a gynaecologist and obstetrician with more than 10 years' experience, the pregnancy tests currently administered comprise a urine check and an abdominal examination which are 90 to 95 per cent accurate.

"So how is it that the doctor failed to detect my maid was four months pregnant?" Madam Lim questioned.

A blood test for pregnancy would have been more accurate. Blood testing is not made mandatory to keep costs down for employers.

But to Madam Lim, this added cost is a small price to pay to avert the "stress" now brought about by Nina's birth.

In Madam Lim's defense, lawyer Mr Mark Goh said that the undertaking was signed by Nina's friend Ms Shushma, a maid.

"Though the rules require the employer to bear the full cost of the maid's medical care, nowhere does it say the employer should bear the medical cost of her kin," said Mr Goh.

The hospital's stance is clear as it will not pursue Ms Shushma for payment.

Said Mr Johnny Quah, KKH's chief financial officer, "Part of the admission process includes financial counselling. As the staff was unable to contact Nina's employer, she explained the estimated charges to Nina's friend and the signature obtained was more as an indication that she understood the charges and would convey it to Nina's employer."