lilisingapore wrote:Is it easy to book an appointement with a gynae ? what about the costs?
mizza wrote:Hi Lilisingapore! I am pleased I am not the only one moving to Singapore from London in the middle of march, and having a baby in May! (I felt like it must have been me that had written your post!) Does anyone know if the obstetricians all get booked up or if I can still find someone good when I arrive in Singapore when I am 32 weeks pregnant? Also, are the antenatal/birth classes a good way to meet new mums? Should I try to find a class in an area that I plan to live in?
Lilisingapore - It's easy to book an appointment with an ob/gyn. I would suggest calling a couple or few ob/gyn that you want to meet up with
prior to your arrival to lock in an initial date especially since the both of you (lilisingapore and mizza) are due in May and arriving in Singapore in March.
For ob/gyn costs, definitely check with your health insurance maternity plan (if you have one) to ensure and understand that all or most of your checkups, scans, medicine and delivery are covered. If you don't have an insurance plan that covers a bulk of the cost or if you don't have insurance at all, then make sure you ask your ob/gyn during the initial consults if they can work out an antenatal plan/package (not including hospital, pediatrician and anesthesiologist fees plus any other fees that I may forget to be listing here because I'm suffering from pregnancy brain right now!) for you. Some (not all) offer plans/packages which may help to reduce your overall costs.
Mizza
antenatal/birth classes good meeting place for moms - I haven't started mine, yet, but I can't see why they wouldn't be a good resource for networking with other mommies and daddies. One of my friends in Singapore regularly keeps in contact with her new classmates at Mother and Child. Other than the socializing bit, I do have to say that like "shura" mentioned, birthing classes may
not be for all new parents. I would personally read up a little more about it to visualize if the topics discussed during class would really be beneficial for you. You may learn a lot more from personal stories from mommies that you know or maybe even a doula if you decide to invest in that route. As for me - soon-to-be first-time mommie - I will be attending a birthing class not only for my general knowledge and to socialize, but also so that my hubby and I can do something "fun" together.
Mizza
location of birthing class - It would be most convenient if you can find a birthing class nearby to your new place in Singapore. Is travel time important for you or your partner? Most places are commutable especially by taxi within 15-20 min in Singapore, so fortunately, traveling to your classes is not as big of a hassle as some other cities / countries.
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It looks like we have some spring/summer babies arriving soon this year! Shura is due in April. Mizza, Lilisingapore and JCSingapore - you're all due in May. I'm due in June. If everyone is up for it, let's get together in mid-March when Mizza and Lilisingapore land in Singapore. Mizza and Lilisingapore - I'll PM you my contact details. JCSingapore and Shura - I'll drop you an e-mail. Looking forward to sharing stories with y'all.
