The gynaecologist
Recommendations will begin to flow from family and friends as soon as the news of your pregnancy is out. What do you do? Politely thank them and then check out the recommendations but do not feel obligated to stick with a certain gynae just because your best friend or sister-in-law thinks the world of him/her.
The first thing is feeling comfortable with your gynae. Most women prefer a female gynae while others beg to differ. Explore a bit before you settle for one. As bad as you may feel, it is alright to switch gynaes. Talk to a few before deciding and include your husband in the decision.
Coral Leh chose a young gynaecologist when she delivered in 2004. “Fresh out of med school, I felt his enthusiasm and excitement were the encouragement I needed for the journey,” she remembers. The age of a gynae could play importance to you and your spouse. A young gynae, like Coral mentioned, will be enthusiastic but the lack of experience may result in being unsure over certain issues. However, that’s not to say go with the older gynae. Older gynaes have experience however; this experience could at times lead them to overlook minor things. Once again, it goes back to the point of choosing a gynae you’re most comfortable with.
If you’re about to become a Mom for the second time, it is usually advisable to stick with the gynae that you saw when you were pregnant the first time round as he/she would be more familiar with you and your medical history and you more comfortable with him/her.
Hospitals
Private or restructured?
Where do you choose to deliver and does it make a difference?
These questions are enough to leave you pondering for days. Most certainly your choice will make a difference, especially to your bank account!
It is interesting also to note that private hospitals are more popular than restructured hospitals for normal deliveries. Between July 2007 and June 2008, there were 13,500 normal deliveries in the private hospitals compared to 7,600 in public hospitals during the same period.
Whichever route you decide to go, here’s the lowdown on the common delivery hospitals in Singapore.
Gleneagles
Private hospital, Gleneagles displays key strengths in its patient focus, user-friendly services, quality care, specialists’ expertise and proven technology. The rooms are large and bright.
Each delivery suite is equipped with a TV, radio, telephone and a recliner chair. This hospital works with doulas and the nurses are helpful and respond quickly to calls.
Charges:
From $1380
Two-bedded room, Gleneagles
Thomson Medical Centre
Thomson Medical Centre (TMC) is fast becoming one of the most popular private hospitals chosen for delivery. Delivery suits are specially designed to create a home-away-from –home for the patients.
TMC also has a beautifully decorated birthing room. There is a labour pool available and this is the only hospital that offers home birth service. Two designated Prayer Rooms on Level 6, equipped with sarongs, telekong and other necessary attires is available for Muslim patients and visitors.
Charges:
From $1400
Suite, Thomson Medical Centre
Four-bedded room, Thomson Medical Centre
KK Women and Children’s Hospital
This restructured hospital has spacious and comfortable rooms. A popular choice for many, KK has the largest Neonatal Intensive Care unit. One drawback is the long waiting time.
Charges:
From $950
Single, KK Women and Children’s Hospital
Four-bedded room, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Mount Alvernia Hospital
This private hospital not only has spacious and comfortable rooms but also comes equipped with a labour pool. The relaxed and supportive atmosphere is still a favourite with many.
Charges:
From $1050
Neonatal ICU, Mt. Alvernia Hospital
Two-bedded room, Mt. Alvernia Hospital
Mount Elizabeth Hospital
Spacious and comfortable, this private hospital has minimal waiting time to see the gynaecologist.
Charges:
From $1680
Two-bedded room, Mt. Elizabeth Hospital
National University Hospital
Large, comfortable rooms with natural light fill this restructured hospital. Bath and shower in each room and a large labour pool in one room, NUH even has a ‘celebratory dinner’ for new parents in which dinner is served on a round table with table cloth, candles and candles!
Charges:
From $1190
Delivery Suite, NUH
Parkway East Hospital (formerly East Shore Hospital)
Parkway East Hospital started as East Shore Hospital in the 1930s as the Paglar Maternity and Nursing Home, having been founded by Dr Paglar, a Eurasian general practitioner. With the warmth care provided by PEH’s staff, PEH is tops among the people living in the East part of the island.
Charges:
From $1280
Double ward, Parkway East Hospital
Charges are not inclusive of 7% GST unless stated otherwise.
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