pregnancy in Singapore

[Latin girl]

Hello,

I'm living in Japan, but we'll go to Singapore in 2 weeks.

I found out that I am pregnant! I'm worried about it becouse how you can see, english is not my first lenguage.

Can any one helpme with some information about gynecologist, pedriatician and hospital?

I'll apreciate any coments (sorry for my spelling).

[Bikini]

Try Thomson Medical Centre. They are excellent and this is where you'll find most foreigners use.  I used a doctor called Paul Tseng who I would recommend, he was fantastic.

There are a lot of topics on this website about various hospitals and doctors - perform a search on 'delivery in Singapore'.

[Latin girl]

Bikini,

Thank you for your help!!

How you found your pregnancy in Singapore? It is hard with the humedity and hot weather?

[Try]

Dr. Hagarty is also another favorite OB/GYN here in Singapore (she was mine).  She's on Orchard Rd. in the Paragon Medical Building.

[Mom]

I can't compare being pregnant in Singapore to anywhere else as I've only had one baby, but it was fine.  It is hot and humid but that's only a problem towards the end if you are outside a lot.  Everywhere is air conditioned so I was inside more than before.  I was much hotter in general when pregnant so my husband had to walk around in a sweatshirt in our apartment sometimes as I had the aircon on lower than normal.  

If you want to go for walks then try to go earlier or later in the day, and go to places on the East Coast where there is more of a breeze.    

Good luck

[SJ]

Hi, I just moved to Singapore a month ago and am pregnant. Due in April. On advice of a friend I registered with the Mount Elizabeth hospital with an obstetrician called Dr Tien. She seems a very nice lady and extremely efficient and kind. We have had one appointment and are due another this week.
Good luck to you, SJ

[Lizziej]

I have found Dr T C Chang at Thompson Medical Centre absolutely superb.  I've had lots of complications and both he and the hospital have looked after me very well (repsonding to emergency phone calls promptly and professionally).  My baby isn't due until April so I can't comment on the delivery experience, but I've heard very good reports.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your stay here.

[Latin girl]

Thank you to all of you, I'll very happy with all this information, I promise to tell you wich doctor and hospital we'll finaly decide.

Does any one know about waxing during pregnancy?

[nms]

One comment to add on doctors - if you go with one of the "famous" ones mentioned earlier, be prepared for long waits for appointments as they are very popular.  If you are going to be working it may not be practical......

[yes]

I agree with nms, but you don't have more choice.

[Waiting Time]

I agree about the long waiting time.  However, I went to a public hospital the first time round and the waiting period was just as long, plus the staff were rude, ineffecient and unhelpful.

[Latin girl]

What about gleneagles hospital? Some friend told me about it.

[Interested]

2 questions as my wife and I are moving to Sing in Jan and she will be 7 months pregnant. What are the average costs for the visits to these ob-gyn's and what are the average prices for the delivery? For example, we are looking at East Shore Hosp which states that for a normal delivery, the charge is around $1700. But what is the charge of the ob-gyn?

[Brawny]

At Hagarty's, you just make your appointment time 2 hours before you really want to be there and there is no problem.  She is great, have been through 2 pregnancies with her.

As far as costs go, I am not sure, but we ended up paying about $3000 after insurance.  Paid about the same in the US.

There are so many people who prefer one place over another, but generally you will have a good experience at any hospital you go to.

[Latin Lover]

I can also highly recommend Dr. Tseng at Thomson Medical. One major plus is that he will go with your preferences, and not push you into a medicated birth with lots of intervention, which is usually the case in Singapore. Unless this is what you want, of course...
My friend just gave birth with his support, and she had her first appointment the same day she called, so waiting wasn't the problem.
Of course money is the big issue with all of them, so arm yourself with all the info, go to a good prenatal class when you get here (parentlink dot org or some others at Tanglin shopping Center etc) and decide what you want. Most ob/gyn docs love C sections, guess why? More cash.
Informed mothers-to-be are the minority, and many simply put up with less than beneficial hospital routines, lack of lactation advice or outright ignorance. Again, it depends on your preferences, and if you can get well prepared to make your own informed choices, your baby will owe you a big thankyou!
Some good books like the Birth Book by Martha Sears, or the Sheila Kitzinger books etc, are helpful.
Suerte y que disfrutes mucho en Singapore!