How To Choose a Gynaechologist for Moms To Be

How to choose a gynaechologist (gynae) when you are pregnant. To me, there

 is only ONE rule. Get someone whom you are most comfortable with as he/she is going to be with you throughout the pregnancy and in your most important moment. So while you are looking for this person, what are the traits to look out for. Here's my view.

1. A male or a female. Is that really important??? To some maybe as some may feel extremely self conscious and uncomfortable around male gynaes. To others, like me, we would go for males as hypothetically they are gentler and more compassionate towards preggy moms. 
   
   
2. Go for a recommended gynae. Ask your friends to refer you to a gynae. At least you get to hear your friend's opinions about them first.
   
   
3. Go for a gynae who is attached to the hospital that you choose to deliver in. You just want to make sure that the gynae who accompanies you throughout your term is going to be the gynae who delivers your baby.  
   
   
4. Go for a gynae who is patient and who listens AND answers to all your questions and uncertainties... no matter how basic or seemingly 'silly' questions. Preggy moms tend to worry alot. Is this pain normal? Is that ache something to worry about? Is my baby growing well? Is the umblical cord  away from the neck, etc etc. It's going to be a whole 9 months. Each stage presents new questions and experiences. You don't want to worry yourself mad throughout the term.
   
   
5. Go to a gynae attached to a hospital that fits your budget. If you are working, most of the case, you are allowed to claim your maternity. However, visits to gynae may or may not be included. In my case, it was capped by the number of visits.
   
   For working moms, check what your company covers for maternity claims and maternity leave. Also check out your hubby's company too. You need to plan out the finances. Having babies is very expensive especially if you are not going for natural delivery.
   
   
6. Make sure that the hospital that you choose is not too far from your house. Most of the time, you would have already started your maternity/leave while waiting to deliver. You just don't know if your baby is coming at peak office traffic, rainy/stormy day with bad traffic or in very convenient times. So far I have been lucky :)
   
   
7. And then there is this budget thing. The choice of government hospital vs semi government hospital vs private hospital. Most reputable gynaes are from the private sectors.

I followed 2 very experienced gynaes from Pantai Hospital Bangsar. 

Ryan and Raymund was delivered by the late Dr Jeremy Chuah. He was very reputable. After his demise, I insisted on looking for a gynae with Pantai Hospital Bangsar. It's simply because I want a familiar environment which I know what to expect. Moreover, Pantai Bangsar is one hospital which encourages mother baby bonding and breast feeding. They encourage new born babies to sleep in the same room as their moms and not in the 'nursery'. In some hospitals, this is not the case as it means more work for them.

I found another experienced gynae, Dr Choong Kuo Hsiang who is very patient and makes sure you know about what you need to know. I was well taken care of under his care. His wife, Mrs Christine Choong is a breast feeding expert and most of the time, she makes ward visits to new moms under Dr Choong's care and advises us on breast feeding. If you want to know his contact, do drop me a note.

And ... BTW ...another reason I choose Pantai Hospital is because this is one hospital which encourages mother baby bonding and breast feeding. They encourage new born babies to sleep in the same room with their moms and not in the 'nursery'. In some hospitals, this is not the case as it means more work for them.