Posts tagged Pregnancy

Finding the Right OB-GYNE

October 19, 2009 · Filed under Mummyhood, Pregnancy, Singapore · Tagged , , , , , , ,

I should back date this post because I started this article perhaps a year ago but never finished it. Anyway, I managed to edit it finally for this post and I hope you find it useful.

Looking for and choosing an OB-GYNE in a foreign country can be a mammoth task. If you are like me who finds personal connection in everything she does or meet, it would really be a tough job. I only had one requirement in choosing an OB-GYNE, that she is a female because I am not comfortable spreading my legs in front of another man! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t resent women who don’t mind having a male OB-GYNE. In fact, I do admire these women because unlike them, I get disturbed just by thinking about it.

I found my OB-GYNE through a search engine. Internet penetration in Singapore is close to 100% and what better way of finding something in the ‘little red dot’ but to ‘Google’ your way to an information. I particularly went to motherhood and women forums because in there I knew I would easily find the answers I was looking for.

I finally found a certain Dr. Soong at Thomson Medical Center which is probably the nearest private hospital from our place. She has good reviews from her patients. She has a Chinese name, but since she’s better known as Dr. Bernadette Soong, I knew I wouldn’t have difficulty communicating with her because having an English name is one sign that the person is English-educated in this country (so communication wouldn’t be a problem) and/or the person is a Christian. The latter isn’t really that important because I know it would be asking too much since I am no longer in a Christian-dominated country. (But fate would have it, I have known later that my chosen OB is a Catholic. We share the same faith. The significance of which I will share later in another post.)

And so I searched for her clinic’s number at the hospital’s website (merchants’ websites in this part of the country is as important as their telephone numbers). I phoned in and asked for an appointment. I was lucky, there was an available slot two weeks from that day and the nice Alice, the nurse-cum-secretary, fit me in to the doctor’s schedule. Normally, the busy doctor’s slots get filled up a month before.

The day of my appointment came. I waited for more than an hour despite arriving 30 minutes before my scheduled time slot. I guess that’s the case with any doctor appointments. They cannot control the length of time of each consultation. There are patients who tend to ask too many questions (and would even bring a list of questions with them, which is a good idea I think). There are also times when doctors engage in some personal conversations with their patients, thus, eating some of the consultation time.

I can say it was ‘attraction at first sight‘. My OB made me feel comfortable and at home the very moment I entered her consultation room. Her genuine smile and show of care gave it away. The first five minutes were spent getting to know each other. Natural, I guess, since we would be seeing each other for the next 7 months or so. She was ‘gentle’ specially during intrusive examinations.

The first consultation confirmed my first pregnancy. There was a sac and a heartbeat at 8 weeks. I was asked to go back three weeks after but fate would have it, I needed to see her a few days after because of spotting which eventually led to miscarriage (A separate account on that experience will be posted soon).

Her ‘first consultation’ fee is a bit expensive. (Although I was already expecting the slightly-higher-than-usual fee because the hospital where her clinic is is actually towards the high-end. Why I chose this hospital is because of proximity although there is a government hospital near our place, I am extra-squeamish so I needed an assurance that everything is spic-and-span.) The next consultation fees are manageable if you saved enough for this pregnancy but the meds and the tests like the ultrasound which she does “every” consultation adds up to the expense.

So since I was comfortable with her from the very start, I stuck with the doctor. If not, I would’ve done more ticking and clicking in the search engines to find the right OB-GYNE.

So before you lift that phone and make an appointment with an OB-GYNE you barely know, do some research. Read through some women or motherhood forums and ask the fellow mothers or mothers-to-be in your area for recommendations. Make sure you’re also clear on your ‘criteria’ such as ‘female’ (in my case), has accreditation or is allowed to deliver in the hospital or community hospital or lying-in centers where you want to deliver your baby, and, of course, fees within your budget.

The first consultation is very important. Make sure you ask all the questions you have (including his/her delivery fees) and that the doctor is someone you are comfortable with. It’s best to visit 2-3 doctors before you settle for ‘the one’ who will finally deliver your baby especially if you have doubts or felt uncomfortable with the first doctor you visited. Or even if it’s not the case, it’s always best to check out others first if you have the means and luxury of time to do so.

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Am I Pregnant?

April 1, 2009 · Filed under Australia, Mummyhood, Pregnancy · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

In a span of 1 month, two migrant friends asked me what I did when I first found out that I was pregnant. They were asking about whether I went to a private OB or a public OB, how much were the fees, etc. They are new mothers-to-be and have also been in Australia for around two years now. I gladly responded to their queries, reminiscing how I went about the entire experience. I thought I better share it here and be of help to other new migrant mums out there.

When I missed my monthly period in July 2007, I did not bother checking a pregnancy kit. I initially thought my body was just adjusting to the cold weather and I was just stressed over the job hunt and it would soon come once I started with my new job in a week. In addition, I don’t feel anything different. No morning sickness and craving that they were talking about. Three weeks after missing my period and enjoying my new work, I informed my husband about it, who was then staying in Sydney and preparing for our wedding. He prompted me to consult with the doctor.

Doctor Hunt

Not aware of the Australian processes, I got a phone directory, looked for an obstetrician and rang a private OB clinic. To my surprise, I was informed to go to my General Practitioner (GP) for a referral. As I did not have a GP yet, I insisted that I already knew that I needed to see an obstetrician. But, still the receptionist pointed out that it is the policy – I need a referral letter.

Few days later, I again consulted the phone directory to look for a GP. I was still in the dark of the Australian health system so I called each clinic near town to look for a GP. About three medical clinics no longer accept new patients on a regular basis. That was a big shock. I wondered how come these things happen in a developed country such as Australia. I tried my luck again and rang Geelong Women’s Clinic, a private clinic just a few blocks from work. The receptionist were nice enough to squeeze me in one of the doctor’s schedule as they have a policy for new patients to book at least 1.5 months in advance. I told them my case and they booked me for an earlier schedule. But, still I had to wait for 3 long weeks.

While waiting, I had a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables especially cauliflower and broccoli. I did not have any alcohol and coffee in my system. Had lots of milk (breakfast, dinner and sometimes lunch) and 3-4 litres of water as I had difficulty with having a pee. It felt like I was having a urinary tract infection, which according to my readings is easily contracted my pregnant women during the first trimester. Having lots of water took away the pain of peeing. Otherwise, medication is needed to remove the infection. But, this should be consulted with the GP.

GP Consultation

My doctor’s appointment came and I explained to her my case. The first thing she asked me was if I already tried checking the pregnancy kit, which I did not do. So, she asked me to do the test in the clinic and it was confirmed! There was neither physical check nor blood test. She discussed with me whether I would like to be referred to a private OB or to the public hospital’s ante-natal clinic. I told her that I am a new migrant and a paying patient and my medical insurance will not reimburse any obstetrics-related claims yet as there is a 12 month waiting period. To help me decide, she then asked her assistants to call the clinics and hospitals and check the prices for me – consultation, hospital bed, delivery fees of both public and private OB.

The doctor gave me scripts requesting for blood test done at Pathology Care to check haemoglobin level, blood group, German measles immunity and Rhesus factor and the ultrasound to check the baby’s measurement, due date, heartbeat, placenta, and baby’s condition at Lake Imaging during the following weeks. I was not given any antibiotics for my pee problem as the water therapy worked well but was advised to take any pregnancy vitamins available at the chemist. After about 10-15 minutes of discussion and consultation, the clinic charged me $60.

The First Tests

Upon arrival at work, I rang both Path Care and Lake Imaging to arrange an appointment. With Path Care, I was informed I could just pop in as they are serving on a first come, first serve basis. But, with Lake Imaging, I needed to wait for 3 weeks for an available slot and should come with full bladder, which means I had to drink 500-1000ml two hours before the schedule and hold it. It was difficult since I cannot control my pee starting week 10. It felt like the baby was pushing it. In fact, I was not able to hold it for the ultrasound appointment and we needed to re-schedule it, which was already on my 15th week. By then, the technician was able to see that I might be having a boy and it can be confirmed on my week 20-21 ultrasound.

Going Public or Private

All the results were forwarded to my GP and everything were going okay. The GP gave me the price comparison of public and private hospital. Basing on the hospital bed fees ($700 per day) and consultation fees ($70 per visit), I initially decided to see a private OB. However, upon learning from the private OB’s receptionist that the doctor charges $3000 for normal delivery and may be more if there’ll be complications, the practical side of me thought twice as that would be a substantial out of pocket cost. I rang my GP’s assistant and requested for a new referral to the public hospital’s ante-natal clinic, which would charge $1000 for the delivery fee even if I would have a C-section – the sure $2000 difference could already buy a lot of baby stuff. My GP’s clinic faxed the referral letter straight to the ante-natal clinic of the public hospital and I booked my first appointment after a few days.

Ante-Natal Clinic

I waited for 3 weeks for my appointment with the midwife at the ante-natal clinic. She explained to me my options of care and suggested that since I had no complications so far, I can have a combined care of the midwives and the hospital’s OB. We readily said yes as the midwives seemed so competent, loving and caring. A student nurse was also introduced to us and asked if she could monitor and accompany me throughout my pregnancy. Because of my love for learning, I said yes and accommodated her. It was a plus factor since she was there during doctor’s visit when my husband could not come.

In essence

The first 20 weeks of my pregnancy was an emotional rollercoaster ride. Everything occurred as we were preparing for our wedding. There was joy, excitement, doubt, fear and frustration (over the medical process). But, overall we maintained optimism on what the future would bring for our bundle of joy and our starting family. I was sure the angels and the stars conspired when we had Kimi.

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