Our Expatriate OBGYN Clinic

Parenthood is exciting. But being faced with the prospect of having your baby away from your home country and full support network fills most expatriate couples with doubts and apprehension. You don't have to worry, Singapore is one of the most pregnancy-friendly and child-friendly countries in the world.

With an average birth rate of 35,000 each year, three government hospitals and six private hospitals all with maternity units, the pregnant mother is spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing your OBGYN & HOSPITAL for your Maternity care.

Dr TC Chang a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Thomson Medical Centre, who has a patient base comprising of about 50% expatriates from Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand said. "Becoming a mother is one of the most wonderful experiences life has to offer. At the same time it can be an un-nerving experience. My role is to equip the parents-to-be with the necessary knowledge and confidence to cope with their new role and enjoy it. Part of my role is to assess the risks associated with any particular pregnancy and by understanding the background and concerns the couple may have offer them sensible advice that allows them to make informed decisions, be it with confronting genetic or prenatal diagnosis, or plans for labour and delivery."

Monitoring the well-being of the mother and the baby is an essential component of modern obstetric care, with emphasis on using appropriate screening for genetic and chromosome disorders, ultrasound imaging and blood tests. Planning for labour and delivery is also an important process that is unique to each couple and takes time. Birth plans are encouraged and followed and are especially useful in high-risk pregnancies, such as when contemplating VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean). This allows the obstetrician, the midwives and the couple to work through important issues such as pain management in labour and birthing choices.

At TC Chang's clinic providing care to the high standard that you would expect to receive if you were at home in Europe, USA, Australia/New Zealand is what we aim to achieve. Each pregnancy is unique and all the choices individualized to each couple. While aiming for completely natural birth in most cases we can offer a full range of pain relief and assistance when necessary or by choice.

And for those who want to go even deeper into natural childbirth we offer The Mongan Method of HypnoBirthing which is taught at Thomson Medical centre on Monday evenings by qualified practitioner Kiki Porter Wolff.

HypnoBirthing is as much as philosophy of birth as it is a series of techniques to achieve ultra deep relaxation and visualization for a satisfying, stress free birth. The Mongan Method teaches you along with your birth companion, the art, and the joy of letting - go and trusting your natural instincts, allowing your birthing body take over your labour and birth.

"As long as your pregnancy is low risk and we have discussed such issues well ahead of time your birth can be natural." Said Dr TC Chang.

To provide extra support for his expatriate patients Dr Chang has worked along side Kiki Porter Wolff, a British Expatriate Paediatric nurse, Midwife, and doula for the past 6 years. Kiki has 2 daughters of her own and has over 30 years of experience in Nursing and midwifery, in Europe and Asia.

"Having worked in both Europe and Asia I in a unique position to bridge-the-gap between the cultures and practices when it comes to pregnancy, labour birth and parenting." Said Kiki.

Dr TC Chang and his team focus on what it is that is important to you. They concentrate on the things that they can do for prospective parents during pregnancy, labour, birth and the post-natal period instead of any limitations. Individual consultant care is given using a holistic combination of medical, psychological and emotional support.

"Knowledge breeds confidence" which is why Dr Chang fully supports childbirth educational classes such as the ones conducted at Thomson Medical centre at the Parentcraft Centre on the sixth floor and at Mother and Child at Tanglin Shopping mall. Thomson's Parentcraft centre helps expectant mothers and new mothers cope with any difficulties they may which is why Dr Chang fully supports childbirth educational classes such as the ones conducted at Thomson Medical centre at the Parentcraft Centre on the sixth floor and at Mother and Child at Tanglin Shopping mall. Thomson's Parentcraft centre helps expectant mothers and new mothers cope with any difficulties they may experience through a series of programs such as child birth education courses, breastfeeding counselling and caring for the newborn.

Having delivered babies for the past 20+ years Dr Chang believes that it is important that pregnant mothers feel comfortable with their care provider and the hospital that they plan to have their baby in. Dr Chang conducts births at Thomson Medical Centre, a dedicated women's hospital in Singapore. With more than 7,000 births a year (the largest number in a private hospital in Singapore) the hospital benefits from a patient-centred-care approach where everything is geared towards a safe delivery and an enriching expeience for all 3, mother, father and baby. At Thomson Medical Centre, the staff endeavours to bridge the gap for expatriate mothers who are fearful of having a baby in a foreign country.ence in the pregnant couple, is crucial for them to cope with the impending labour" notes Dr Chang.

Dr Chang also looks after pregnant mothers who have a high-risk pregnancy or have had surgical complications during previous pregnancies and deliveries. Carefully planned Caesarean operations will be performed by Dr Chang to optimise the surgical outcome. Caesarean operations are also performed at Gleneagle and Mt. Elizabeth Hospital.

After-birth-care and home visits are also crucially important. Dr Chang recommends that they ALL contact Mother and Child where help and advice is readily available with drop-in-clinics and a breastfeeding Cafe or they can contact a Health Visitor or Lactation consultant to follow them up at home. "Everyone should be able to breast feed, if they are given the right amount of support" notes Kiki.

"We also liaise with paediatricians and family physicians, physiotherapists and nutritionists to ensure that any problems that occur before or after delivery are sorted out expeditiously" says Dr Chang.

These small but crucial steps in linking medical and para-medical care help to make what is a major life event a fulfilling and memorable one.

ANTENATAL CARE

  • Individual consultant care throughout your pregnancy. Monitoring the health and wellbeing of mother and baby.
  • Antenatal visits, regular examinations, ultrasound scanning. Foetal anomaly (FA) at 18-22 weeks. Blood tests, blood pressure checks. Urinalysis and routine swab for Group B Strep at 36 weeks.
  • Mothercraft information enabling you to make informed choices during pregnancy, planning of labour and birth and in the postnatal period.
  • Doula care is available for those who want extra support during labour and birth.
  • Vaginal delivery, assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum) or complex surgeries for high risk pregnancies.

MATERNITY LIAISON AND DOULA.

Kiki Porter Wolff is a British Paediatric Nurse and Midwife with over 30 years experience.

"Knowledge breeds confidence"

Please tell me what is important to you, ring me with any queries. Kiki 91085521

 

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