10 Tips in Choosing an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist in Singapore

For most women, it can be difficult to reveal your intimate issues to a doctor. Even if you know that you are no different from the hundreds of patients who have gone to a clinic, you can’t help but feel vulnerable when opening up.

This is why having a good obstetrician-gynaecologist (OB-GYN) is important.  Knowing that you are in the hands of a specialized physician not only gives you a feeling of security but also ensures good quality care.

Whether you come in for a gynaecological concern, planning to start a family, or reaching milestones in pregnancy, it’s worth having someone who can care for you according to your needs.

If this is your first time to visit an OB-GYN in Singapore and you’re still not sure who to approach. To help you out, here are some important factors to consider in choosing one.

Referrals

Recommendations for gynaecologists start from family and friends. As you grapple with the number of choices for a gynaecologist in Singapore, their advice can help narrow down your choices. But, it doesn’t mean you are obligated to stick with a certain doctor just because your mother-in-law or your sister thinks the world of him. It is also important that you take the time to research the doctor’s credentials, and see whether they sit well with you.

Credentials

Researching your OB/GYN’s credentials is an important part of the process. This will tell you if the your doctor has the necessary training, skills, and experience to provide obstetric and gynaecologic care.

This step should also give you an idea if your gynaecologist is also an obstetrician. In this way, you don’t have to find another specialist if ever you should conceive. You might also want to explore your options with doctors who specialize in high-risk pregnancies, especially if you have an underlying medical problem, are having multiples, or has had a previous miscarriage.

Preference

Some prefer to have a female gynaecologist, while others are not so particular on the matter. It helps to look around a bit before you settle, and it is perfectly okay to switch gynaecologists if you feel that your current choice is not making you feel comfortable.

In this regard, it is also important to scrutinize the doctor’s attitude about certain issues that are important to you. For example, what are their opinions on C-section or natural deliveries? Do they prefer a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section)? It helps that you know their general approach in practice to get an idea of their responses to certain situations that you are also particular about.

Reputation

You can start from the hospitals or clinics that the doctor is affiliated with. Higher standards are required of doctors with better affiliations. Educational degrees are important considerations. The doctor’s years of experience, their experience with complications, and even their malpractice suits can be selection criteria to help you form an opinion.

Time

We all want to get the attention we need when we are not feeling our best, or in need of special care. So, you wouldn’t want someone who constantly rushes from one appointment to another. Every patient would prefer to have a doctor who would take the time to explain, assess, and answer your questions no matter how minor they may seem.

Availability

The availability of your doctor is also something to consider. Unfortunately, the reputable ones often have the tightest schedules. But, you can still work around that by planning your check-up schedule weeks in advance. It is also important that your doctor is available to attend to your emergency needs, or should be able to get back to you when they are needed.

Facility

The facility where your doctor practices should also be considered. The quality of the facility matters, and generally, gynaecologists in Singapore are limited to delivering in hospitals where they are affiliated with. However, some doctors have privileges to practice in other hospitals as well.

You should also figure out the logistics when you have appointments and see if it is convenient for you. For example, what could be the arrangement in case of an emergency? Is your doctor’s practice within easy reach should you need it? The nearer your doctor is, the better, so that immediate care can be given especially among high-risk pregnant women.

Communication

The fact that you are coming in for professional medical care means that you have a bag of concerns over your shoulder. It helps that you have someone who can allay your anxieties with how they respond to your questions. Find an OB-GYN who answers your queries in ways that are easy for you to understand.

Personality

Since you want to feel at ease when dealing with your gynaecologic or obstetric concerns, choosing a doctor with a good bedside manner is also an important factor. A professional who knows how to make you feel comfortable is a skill not everyone possess. It matters that you have someone who is approachable, pleasant, and responsive. It would also be to your advantage if your doctor shows interest in getting to know you, and are respectful of your treatment preferences.

Cost and Insurance

The physician’s fees may vary drastically in Singapore. If you are insured, find out if the hospital or doctor is covered in your insurance. To gain the most benefits, you may need to choose an OB-GYN who is covered by your insurance plan. If not, you have to see how the fees can fit into your budget, especially for pregnant women who are required to make regular visits on top of the actual delivery.

Choosing a gynae in Singapore whom you are comfortable with is important. Remember that your doctor is your first line of defense from the barrage of anxieties that lie beyond what is unknown to you. Consider these pointers as you make your choice. Trust your instincts and remember that you are in no way obligated to continue seeing a doctor that you are not comfortable with.

List of Medical Organizations (OB-GYN)

Academy of Medicine, Singapore

Singapore Medical Association

Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology of Singapore (SCCPS)

Royal College of O&G

ACOG: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society

Pap Smear Information – Health Promotion Board

Cervical Cancer Information – Singapore Cancer Society

Breast Cancer – American Cancer Society