Singapore Expats

Hi all

My husband and I are going to be trying for baby number 2 this year. My first daughter was born in the UK where I had access to a birthing pool. I spent most of my labour and indeed my delivery in the water.

Has anyone had any experience of using a pool here, and if so, can you recommend an obstetrician who is "pro-water". I had a uncomplicated and VERY natural labour first time round and I want to try to replicate that again.

I have heard that some OBs here are quite invasive with their approach, so any experiences and recommendations would be very much appreciated.

Julia

Hi, Singapore just had its first 'water birth' at Mount Alvernia hospital. It isn't a normally accepted thing to do. Very new actually.

I'd suggest you get in touch with Ginny Phang. She's a doula at Four Trimesters. She'd be able to help you out in terms of finding a gynae who is pro-nonmedicated deliveries.

As for most local gynaes, I'd say that they are mostly leaning towards the medicated/intervention side of manging labour/birth. So be careful who you chose.

I had a non-medicated natural birth for my #3 and was extremely happy with the way things turned out.

I had mine at Thompson with TC Chang (he and Paul Tseng are usually recognised as being the most 'westernised' in approach and willingness to follow birth plans etc. My doula did say that Paul would do home births as well if he was pushed into it - this was a few years ago though). Thompson have a water suite where you can use the bath as pain relief although technically you cant birth in it. I have heard that sometimes it has happened though when things moved quickly. I'm sure I read recently that Mount Elizabeth had started to do water births but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

The best thing is to check out the doctors first though and maybe have a chat to a doula as they have usually worked here for many years and can point out the doctors that have a more open approach. The above two are both brilliant (from personal experience) and the PP's doctor sounds very good as well. TC has a British midwife working for him who operates as his doula - I'll be using her later this year as my first one has since left the country - others are available at the mother & child centre in Tanglin Mall (3rd floor) and Tanglin Shopping Centre.

Paul Tseng still does do homebirths but with certain conditions to be met. (he's my gynae)

As far as I know water births have not been 'approved' at Thomson Medical.