c-section

[sue1303]

Hi,

We're possibly moving to Singapore and there is one concern I have. We are planning a second child and I had to have a c-section with the first and will probably have another one with the second. What is the standard of surgery there? What are the hospital like? Would they be private and if so would these have A&E if anything were to go wrong? Having read some of the other forums I can see the "plastic" surgens getting slated so am now rather concerned about all the other surgens lol!

I know the health care in England leaves a lot to be desired (big time), although they did a fab job on stiching me up last time, can hardly see the scar, but just thinking is it better the devil you know? Any info from anyone who has had to have this kind of surgery would be a great help.

Thanks

S x

[uk-kiwi]

and don't try and compare plastic surgery with child delivery. just because someone still isn't beautiful after forking out $5k for a new nose doesn't mean their surgeon wasn't very good

maybe the public medical care here is like the NHS (i doubt it, nothing is free) but the majority of people i know including locals use the private hospitals. there is a very high incidence of caesarean section in singapore because basically when you go private you get the choice - you don't need to have a medical / mental reason to do so and the cost is not that much more than a natural delivery.

when you get to singapore, you chose a gynae/OB (it's a completely doctor/specialist led world over here, not much midwifery at all!) and then they will either deliver naturally or by c depending on your request or any medical issues of course. do a search for recommended OB's on this forum if you like - there are a few popular ones. i had an emergency C in the UK and the surgeons (NHS) were amazing but believe me the doctors here get much more practice at C sections and they scan you every visit so they pick up on any abnormality very quickly. my OB is more than happy to go VBAC if i want as i've healed well etc but he's also supportive if i elect for a C. PM me if you want his details or just want more questions answered. although i should say i haven't delivered in singapore yet but i'm sure you'll get lots of responses from women who have (i know quite a few).

[jacebreen]

I've had 3 c-sections in Singapore. 2 emergency and the last one scheduled. The no of c-sections performed in Singapore is higher than the average around the world. Most doctors here are used to performing c-sections, they can only get better with practice.

My 2nd doc has stiched me up very well. First one was a nightmare as I did not heal well with the scar. My 2nd c-section with another doc healed so nicely that my hubby, 6 days after delivery, after I had removed the bandage, commented that the doc did well to cut along the first scar. Only after I told him that the 2nd doc had cut me up an inch below the first scar (as the scar was and still is protruding and ugly) that he realised the faint line. I went back to the same doc for my 3rd c-section. I healed so well for the 2nd and 3rd op that I only stayed in the hospital for 2 nights.

Don't worry about having a c-section here. The doctors are very good and the hospitals are well equipped to deal with any emergencies.

[sue1303]

Cheers for that, sounds like not too much to worry about, not like here when you leave hospital with more wrong with you than when you went in!!!!! Can you believe they are putting the MRSA patients in my local hospital in the maternity wing cause it's the only space they have!!!!! Nuts !

It sounds like there is a pretty good social life for mums and kids as well?

S x

[uk-kiwi]

I definately don't think MSRA is a big deal here. Anyway, a popular choice is Thompson medical clinic which is by and large a maternity hospital with a few other services but no real 'sick' people and no A&E. Plenty of A&E's at the other private and public hospitals though, you will be far more impressed with the hospitals here and the fact that you can chose from about 5 that you can drive to in 15-20 minutes or less!!

Plenty of activities for mums and kids although i don't have anything to compare to as i worked in the UK. If you live in a condo your children will also have a little community to play with - bit like Lord of the Flies sometimes but generally great for them developing social skills.

When are you moving over? And when are you due?

[sue1303]

My other half has just been offered job over there (still finanlising the "package") but would have to give 3 months notice from his work here. That would take us to prob late September but then I would have the issue of school term already having started, so think it may be best that I stay here with the wee one and come over after the christmas term????? Would it be easy to find a place in school at that time? The only solution I can think of, I don't really want to keep her off school too long till I find her a place? Also the issue of finding a school without even being there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No baby in the tummy yet but we were planning to try for another soon and then the job offer came up...These thing are sent to try us LOL!!!!

Still, pretty excited at the prospect of going

S x

[uk-kiwi]

you have a daughter who needs to go to school? i hope schooling is covered in your 'package'. apart from the cost of International Schools you might have problems finding a school without a waiting list at this late stage. do a search on this topic it's been done many times before and most schools have wait lists for certain years and many can't accomodate after the term has started. all of the schools have websites and you can contact the admissions people for details. you may find one of the smaller schools has a vacancy and then you can 'shop' around once you get here if you decide you want something else. good luck!