Singapore help - anyone delivered there?

[Freberclem]

Hiya,
We are due to move out to Singapore at beginning of May - I am panicking as my 4th (crazy...!) baby is due at the end of that month. I would really appreciate any advice regarding a good obstetrician with no fear/apprehension about delivering a largish western baby - all mine have been on the big size - ranging from 9lbs 6oz - 10lbs 6oz. All of them have been delivered naturally without intervention. I am eager for this one to come out that way too..........!
Am also looking into where to live/schools etc...Other children are DS 5.5, DS 4, DD 2 - we currently live in Central London - excited by the move but nervous as dont really know anyone .......
Sorry about rubbish post but would really love to hear from anyone .

Hi Freberclem

My last child was born here 3.5 years ago, arrived when six months pregnant and found it a very nice experience! Plenty of excellent Obstetricians to chose from here. My first two were born in London on the NHS - happy to say both deliveries normal and care was excellent. With no 3 it was private and again a lovely experience but this time with a bill at the end of it! But you still remain in charge at all times and make your own care plan etc. My kids 7,6 and 3.5 all love it here and the older two are very happy at school and the youngest will start in Sep. There are some issues with waiting lists for schools so do as much research as you can and get names on lists asap.

With regards to accommodation best to get an agent to do the ground work for you, decide what your budget is and what you would like, ie, house, apartment, pool etc.

This is all very general but if you would like some more specific information then let me know, would be happy to help as I know its a bit daunting to move so far.

Brilliant - thanks Singapore - I think the whole thing is not helped by the surging hormones - logical thinking has gone out of the window! I am due over in a week or so's time so I am presuming that I will meet up with an OB who is willing to take me on. Do you have/know of any recommendations and I will organise to meet with them when I am over. I will be looking at schools and housing at the same time so its going to be a busy 4 days. All my others were born in NHS hospitals - I left 4 hours after the last one was born!
My DS (4) was due to start the prep school in London with his older brother in Sept so ideally I 'd like them to go to the same one. We have ideas on which schools, but have been informed that the wait list is huge! Regarding housing I think as there are so many of us we will be looking at a house rather than apartment - have no intention of being in apartment anything other than ground floor with 3 kamikaze children! I do worry about meeting people though if we are in a house. I think we are looking at Holland area as it will be easy for DH to get to work.
I really appreciate any help/advice. I have followed the nursery thread regarding my 2 year old so will check those out when i am over!

Hi Freberclem I gave birth here to Ds 19 months ago. I delivered at Mount Elizabeth hospital and everything was fine - I don't have anything to compare it to in the UK though as DS is my first and we've been here for 3 years now. I would say though don't expect to leave so soon after birth - you generally get a private room and are very well looked after. I did happen to give birth on the busiest day of the year as well (DS arrived on 08/08/08 -lucky Chinese number) and so there were 15 planned CS in that hospital alone. Despite this everything was as you would expect from Singapore smooth and well ordered.

I saw Dr Kek at Mt E and would recommend her but would also suggest you look at the Singapore Expats website to get some more ideas. A lot of my friends swear by Dr Chan at Thomson MC.

For your housing/school queries then there are some older threads on here that deal with it and definitely when Slim 22 is around again she can be of most help

Do let us know if you need anything else though as will be only too pleased to try and help and welcome you to Singapore when you get here.

Hi there
I say Dr Lisa Chin at Gleneagles - she is quite matter of fact but as it was my third that was fine with me - might not suit everyone though. It will be a very different experience here for you and like Springaporesling says don't expect to go home the same day - you will probably get a night or two in a private room and be well looked after.

You will have a busy four days whilst you are over but once you see places and get a feel for them its easier to make decisions re houses and hospitals and schools!!

Meeting people will be easy especially when you have children. Singapore is a small place so meeting people is not difficult and people are always friendly and happy to help new arrivals as we all remember how daunting it can be.

Anyway hope this has helped a little.

Hi there

Congratulations on your move and new baby!

Obstetric care is very good here and you'll be pampered. It is the norm to stay a few days. That said I delivered my 2nd at 11pm and was home by mid-day the next day.
Straightforward delivery and very sympathetic doctor. As long as the pediatrician is OK you should be able to go home if you wish to.

They do tend to overmedicalise here so be specific that you want to be left alone.
My Dr was fantastic she just sat in a chair and guided DH while he was "intercepting" the baby.
I stayed at home until i was 5cm to avoid being strapped for hours and DD was born within 3 hours of being in the hospital (Gleneagles).

As singaporesling said I can guide you on property searches (my job) though not for long as am planning a HK move myself
But do shout if you need help and I can point you the right direction.

CAT me if you want to discuss anything specific.

Good luck!

Waving to singaporesling. Hope you are having a great time!

Sorry coming to this a bit late!

I would recommend Dr Paul Tseng at Thomson Medical Centre, he is very western in his approach, whereas alot of Dr's here in Singapore are ultra cautious and will want to induce, have you lying in bed, do a cs, etc etc, he is a bit more relaxed and will go with what you want to do, and he is apparently great (not had him but loads of my friends have..) There is also TC Chang at Thomson who is very similar.

Good luck with your move.