Choosing A Gynaecologist In Singapore: 6 Tips For First-Time Mothers

One challenge that new moms (and dads) face is finding a suitable gynaecologist to help and guide you through the first pregnancy. In this article, I’ve detailed a few things to take note that may be helpful in your quest to finding the right gynaecologist in Singapore.

1. What works for other mothers might not work for you.

You might have a friend or relative who recommended you to a gynaecologist in Singapore who she has had a great experience with and would love for you to experience the same. But when you got to the consultation, there really wasn’t any natural rapport between you and the gynaecologist and you leave the consultation room feeling unsatisfied or disappointed.

Don’t worry too much! It is quite normal to not have the same experience that other mothers may have with a certain gynaecologist. Different doctors have their own different styles, and it probably just so happened that that specific gynae’s style just doesn’t work with you. Some gynaecologists don’t talk much, whereas others are more engaging and will talk to you about a lot of topics. If you’re not comfortable with someone, that’s ok. You can always consult with another one.

Another thing that mothers can do is to “interview” your doctor and find out firsthand if his/her style is one that you’re comfortable with. Prepare a list of questions to ask before the consultation, so that you can get the most out of the consultation.

2. A good approach is by prioritizing the doctor, not the hospital.

Dr Pk Tan from PK Women’s Clinic advises that if you have been seeing a specific gynaecologist during pregnancycy, it is often always better to have your baby delivered by that same obstetrician in his/her hospital of work. If ever there are any complications during the delivery, your OBGYN is there to cater to your needs as she has had knowledge and experience of your situation.

There are cases, however, where you may prefer choosing the hospital first, like in high-risk pregnancies where specific medical equipment must be present. In this case, it’s important that you inform your gynaecologist about it so that he/she may be ready to help during your delivery.

3. The gynaecologist’s gender doesn’t matter that much.

There are quite a few gender stereotypes when it comes to gynaecologists. For example, some people believe that in general, male gynaecologists are gentler and more decisive compared to female gynaes. Other people prefer female gynaecologists because they don’t want a male doctor looking at her private parts.

However, the doctor’s gender shouldn’t be an issue as all obstetricians and gynaecologists have undergone training to manage a woman’s pregnancy and any other issue with the reproductive organs. Finally, if you don’t feel comfortable with a male doctor, bring your husband to go with you to the consultation.

4. Not all gynaecologists in Singapore are comfortable managing a high-risk pregnancy.

In cases where there are higher risks during pregnancy and delivery, some doctors may refer you to a more experienced gynaecologist. This is normal, and doctors only want the best for you, the patient, when it comes to your safety and health. For example, carrying twins or triplets is a massive ordeal in pregnancy and this is true as well with the gynaecologist in safely delivering the babies.

5. Choose a gynaecologist or hospital that offers the type of birth you want.

Some mothers have a preference on which type of delivery they want for their baby, like perhaps a natural vaginal birth or water birth, which has gotten increasingly popular lately. Unfortunately, not all types of birth delivery are offered by every gynaecologist or hospital, which is why it is one important factor in searching for a gynae.

Water births, in particular, need adequate facilities during delivery, which only some hospitals or clinics can offer. Most gynaecologists will encourage that you have a natural vaginal birth, especially if your pregnancy is an uncomplicated one.

For complicated pregnancies, your gynaecologist may advise you to have C-section instead to ensure your safety. Make sure that you talk and listen thoroughly with your doctor first, even though the final decision may be left to you. However, keep in mind that a new study has shown that C-sections can have their own additional set of risks, particularly for women over 35.

6. If you’ve had a good experience, stick with your current gynaecologist for future pregnancies.

This is a bit of good general advice to follow not just with pregnancies, but also when it comes to other medical concerns. If you met with the same gynaecologist you’ve had with your first baby, then he/she will also have a better understanding of your health and medical condition, which will allow for a much more comfortable experience.

One exception, of course, is if you have a higher-risk pregnancy compared to your past ones. In this case, it’s up to your gynaecologist if he/she can manage your new case or if you’ll need a more experienced doctor to take care of you. It is always wise to heed your doctor’s advice to ensure your health and safety.