ok, for me and wife, we did both.
reason?
we plan to give birth at private hospital.
but we just want the pink book from government clinic.
why? some private hospital also will use and refer the pink book.
I know mine did ask for it.
They have a book of their own, but the government is more detailed.
Also, in case any problems, any complications on the pregnancy or delivery, most private hospitals wont take you in even though u have regular checkup with them.
they dont take the risk, will push u to General Hospital. This means u need a pink book.
If u been pushed to general hospital, and u dont have pink book? what happens? tunggu lagi lama. Even though in labor, but priority to those with pink book. They need to check a lot of things because those info in pink book u dont have. takes a longer time.
true story, happened to my friend, the wife had some complications, been pushed to government hospital. no pink book. a bit difficult.
another story, recently my wife's cousin, checkup government hospital, and also private, but because clinic found out baby have irregular heartbeat, private hospital dont want to take her and she has to deliver in general hospital. luckily have pink book.
anyway, if u say it takes time for checkup, i can advise one thing.
if they say 8am appointment, u think how many people also they tell 8am appointment? a lot of people.
just make sure u reach the government clinic around 7:45, submit ur book and take ur number. when 8am starts, u already have everything set.
me and wife do this, and usually by 9, 9:30 its finished.
We practise both way as well. Even private hospital doctor ask u go both because if there is any complications <touch wood> then baby will send to Gov hosp for sure and it is the time Gov hospital doctor refer the pink book. And also, private hospital doctor may skips or delay some process which according to their experiences but in Gov hosp, all the doctors and nurses follow what books said.