Did you give birth in Singapore?
Did you use a doula? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, both my children were born here, at Thomson Medical Centre. Our doctor was Dr Tan Wee Khin. Here’s a fun fact: Dr Tan also delivered my husband, 42 years ago! I didn’t even know that when I chose her as my gynae.
I was able to achieve two drug-free births, which I am proud of.
Emilie
I ARRIVED SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT TO SINGAPORE AND GAVE BIRTH AT MOUNT ELIZABETH. DR ANN TAN WAS MY OBSTETRICIAN. Esther
Yes, I gave birth at Thomson Medical. My doctor was Dr Paul Tseng, who has delivered babies for so many years that he could do it with his eyes closed! He’s very much a pro-natural birth doctor and that was one of the main reasons I chose him. I initially wanted a water birth in Singapore and at that time he was the only doctor who could do it. I never got to do the water birth because the pool wasn’t available when the actual day came!
Susan
Yes, at Parkway East Hospital.
Sharon
I gave birth at Mount Elizabeth Novena. I consulted with Dr Yeoh Swee Choo, and delivered with Dr Paul Tseng. I recommend both of them; Dr Yeoh is very thorough with her explanations and quite technical, whereas Dr Tseng is very relaxed and pro-natural (something I was adamant about in how I wanted to deliver). I’m also seeing both now in my second pregnancy as I always believe it’s safer to have two opinions.
Jessica
I gave birth at the National University Hospital (NUH) and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to give birth at a public hospital. Gracie
Yes, I gave birth to our daughter Ava with the care of the amazing Dr Choo Wan Ling at Gleneagles hospital. Sol
Yes! My doula Chiew Gin was with me for the birth of both my daughters. She is amazing and I have recommended her to other women. She’s worth her weight in gold, honestly! Chiew is one of the main reasons I was able to achieve my goal of a drug-free birth, especially for my eldest.
Emilie
I would totally recommend it to others. My birth plan was followed to the letter and it was a very positive experience; of course, everything fortunately went well from a health and medical point of view – so, I didn’t require a C-section, for instance. Compared with giving birth to our son in London where I didn’t get an epidural despite asking for it, my Singapore experience was way better!
Sol
I DIDN’T USE A DOULA, BUT I DO HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE AND THEY
SAY IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS THEY’VE EVER MADE; IN PARTICULAR, IT REALLY HELPED THEM CATCH UP ON THEIR SLEEP AND MUCHNEEDED REST.
Susan
I did meet a doula; her name was Leila Ng, and I really wanted her to be my doula but the schedules didn’t seem to align. In the end, I decided I was able to go through the pregnancy myself.
I recommend opting for a doula if you find it comfortable and important; however, I personally don’t believe it’s necessary. It’s all within your mindset.
Jessica
WHILE I DIDN’T USE A DOULA, I DID HAVE A LIVE-IN CONFINEMENT NURSE WHEN I HAD MY FIRST DAUGHTER IN SHANGHAI. I ALSO USED A CONFINEMENT/MASSAGE THERAPIST AFTERWARDS TO HELP RELIEVE THE BLOATING AND WATER WEIGHT THAT I WAS STILL CARRYING POSTPARTUM. SHE HAD ALL THE WRAPS AND POTIONS I NEEDED TO DRINK TO START FEELING LIKE MYSELF AGAIN, AND THEY DEFINITELY WORKED!
Esther