Expentant mother moving to Singapore in August

[kpcronan]

Hi

I'm a 33 year old woman currently living in London originally from the States and will be moving to Singapore in August to join my husband who is already there.

I will be 30 weeks pregnant in August and am anxious to start planning for the birth of our first child before I get out there.

Does anyone have any advice about what the process is in Singapore (as I'm already aware it's very different between the US and England)?

Does anyone have any recommendations for hospitals/doctors to register with?

Does anyone have any advice about groups I could join to help make the move a bit smoother and so I don't feel too isolated when I arrive?

Looking forward to any advice anyone has to offer!

Many thanks -Kirsten

[robin_lilac]

I can't yet give you much advice about an OBGYN or delivering in Singapore; I'm looking for an OBGYN myself (I've recently posted about this). But I have seen this blog recommended on another posting, and it has helped me narrow down my search for an OBGYN and a hospital I can afford.

http://sggynae.blogspot.com/

On another note, for your future reference, I can give you a recommendation for a general practioner. I go to Dr. Sullivan at the International Medical Clinic (IMC) in Jelita. She is outstanding! I wish she also delivered babies! I've never had a better doctor (even in the States where it was easier to navigate and find one you liked). I can't say enough good things about her. I recently injured my shoulder, had to go for x-rays, ultrasounds, weekly physiotherapy... She called me 3 or 4 times to see how I was doing. She would ask about my baby, and even though my baby has a separate pediatrician, she was more than happy to answer my questions about him. Outstanding!

www.imc-healthcare.com

Good luck with the move and delivery!

[kpcronan]

Thanks for that information. I'll have my husband (who's already out in Singapore) look into both those links. Do I have to have my general practitioner refer me to an OBGYN or is it self referral? I guess the first step either way would be to register with a general practitioner. Thanks again for the advice. -K

[robin_lilac]

Good question! I'm not sure if there is a designated order to the way health care works here. I think you can go straight to a specialist, but I'm not sure. It may depend on what kind of health insurance you have. Best to check with your insurance agent.

I'm in an unusual situation. I'm married to a Singaporean, but I'm paying astronomical COBRA premiums via US insurance until I can get approved with a local insurance. Sorry that doesn't help much.

[wnyw]

Thanks for that information. I'll have my husband (who's already out in Singapore) look into both those links. Do I have to have my general practitioner refer me to an OBGYN or is it self referral? I guess the first step either way would be to register with a general practitioner. Thanks again for the advice. -K

When I went to visit my O&G i didn't need any referral letter. I just went in to the reception and registered as new patient with my passport.

btw, as i've replied in other thread, i'm currently seeing this O&G at Paragon Pacific Health DR LEE WEI HONG. I like his thoroughness and very patient and detailed man.

Price is slightly steep but if you want a patient, gentle, thorough doctor to help you deliver, then you can go for him. =)

My family member who engaged his service for her 1st child shared how patient and careful he was for her pregnancy that was very risky. And my hormone disorder has improved since his diagnosis and treatments.

That's my experience! =) Good luck for your hunt

[kpcronan]

WNYW - That's really useful information, thanks so much. I can't figure out how to quote like you did, so hope you realise this is a thank you to you!

-K

[soniawh]

Hi Kirsten,

Congrtulations on your pregnancy.

I'll be about 28 weeks in Aug. I'm from the UK and apart from the difference in cost haven't found the procedure much different from the UK except it is alot more thorough (as you paying for it all). We have a great gynae so if you need any advice or names just let me know. I had some complications and they took great care of me.

If you have any other general questions about living in SIN let me know. It took us a few months to adjust but it's great now.

Take care
Sonia

[wnyw]

WNYW - That's really useful information, thanks so much. I can't figure out how to quote like you did, so hope you realise this is a thank you to you!

-K

NO Worries. Regarding the quote, you just need to click at the button at the right corner of our message that says "quote"

[kpcronan]

Hi Kirsten,

Congrtulations on your pregnancy.

I'll be about 28 weeks in Aug. I'm from the UK and apart from the difference in cost haven't found the procedure much different from the UK except it is alot more thorough (as you paying for it all). We have a great gynae so if you need any advice or names just let me know. I had some complications and they took great care of me.

If you have any other general questions about living in SIN let me know. It took us a few months to adjust but it's great now.

Take care
Sonia

Thanks Sonia - the whole process of giving birth in Singapore seems to be getting a bit clearer now. Do you have a female gynae? Also, we have a cat which I'd desperately like to bring with us, but was wondering how common cats are over there. Do you know? Thanks -Kirsten

[kpcronan]

Regarding the quote, you just need to click at the button at the right corner of our message that says "quote"

Figured it out! Think my computer wasn't working when I tried it before!

[soniawh]

Hi Kirsten,

I actually go to a male gynae, when I first found out I was pregnant I was so excited that when the female gynae couldn't see me I would have seen the janitor to confirm it . So saw the male and he was so good I decided to stay with him, my sister goes to the female tho and says she is wonderful so you have a choice. The clinic is the Womans Specialist in Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre - tel 6734 1689. I did check around and although there is cheaper I found the care of the doctors and nurses so fantastic that decided to stay put. I also had a spell in hospital and it was all so effiecient, my doctor really listened to me and worked with me on everything.

Right enough rambling about that onto cats. I know a few people who have cats so not uncommon. We brought our two dogs out from the UK and they were fine. I worried about them being traumatised by the journey but they were fine, it was me that needed counselling. My only advice would be to get a pet passport like we did and then they don't get quarantined (sorry for the spelling). We used an experienced agent and they did a great job.

Let me know which area your living when you get here and can recommmend vets etc.

Take care
Sonia





Thanks Sonia - the whole process of giving birth in Singapore seems to be getting a bit clearer now. Do you have a female gynae? Also, we have a cat which I'd desperately like to bring with us, but was wondering how common cats are over there. Do you know? Thanks -Kirsten[/quote]

[rissaroo]

I'm not sure if you've found a doctor yet, but I've had 2 babies here in Singapore and have had great experiences. Both were at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, but 2 different doctors. The first stopped practicing by the time I had my second...so I had to switch. The second though was a great gynecolegist and I was very happy with her.

Her name is Dr. Kek Lee Phin
#14-06 Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre
6235-8596

I was very happy with her, she took time to answer my questions and was very caring. Her staff were also very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend her.

Mount Elizabeth is a great hospital and I've had excellent experiences for the births of both of my kids.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I'm an American but I've lived here for 8 years now.

I'd love to help in any way...

Charissa

[Nath21]

Charissa,

Im interested to know what costs you incurred, what medical cover you had etc with regard to giving birth in singapore. Im looking at having our second child over here and my wife is covering all the aspects around what she needs to get comfortable with and I am trying to find out about costs and services offered by the different hospitals.

Any information would be of great assistance.

Thanks

Nath

[rissaroo]

I think I've thrown away all the bills from my daughter's birth...but the website is quite accurate when it comes to the fees...Of course doctor's fees are not included on there. I don't remember what those fees were...so sorry...I know it doesn't sound like I'm much help now. I thought I kept everything...but maybe I didn't. Here's the chart that they will give you when you go to register and they will explain everything...this gives you a rough estimate of how much it will cost.

http://www.parkwayhealth.com/patients-v ... ernity.pdf

I didn't have any insurance, so we had to just pay out of pocket, plus my husbands company paid some as they set some money aside for us for medical bills.

I dont' know if that helps at all, but I did really have 2 great birthing experiences there, one was an emergency c-section and the other was a planned c-section. I've had no problems and no complaints. They also let me out early both times since I requested it and I was in good health as were my babies. I found the staff to be very helpful. It is also nice as it is right downtown, so it is easy to get to as well as everything is right around so you could run out and get other meals for your wife or something if she wanted something different than what the hospital had. The food was quite ok, nothing fantastic, but it was fine. =)

Let me know if you have any other questions...or after the birth let me know too if you need anything...from your wife's original post, sounds like we're close in age and both american...so if she just wants a friend to connect with as well...I'm here. =) Anyway, let me know if I can answer any other questions...

Charissa

[Pauline88]

Hi Kristen...

Welcome to Singapore, my mail may be a little late as you may have made your choices...

My gynae is Dr TB Lim from MT Elizebeth. His cost is very reasonable and he is well respected by the nurses at the delivery ward.

Favourite hospital is Mt. Alvernia. Appreciate the tender care of the nurses...

soliticing removed --moderator

all the best and enjoy your Pregnancy

cheers
Pauline