Hi there,

Allow me to share some of my opinion.

1. Nowadays doctor don't speak much because with the internet, a lot of patients are very smart, read the info from the net and test / challenge the doctor. The doctor will only tell you what is necessary.
2. My first child in 2010 was with Dr Tan Teck Sin. He was recommended by my husband's relative. He is a nice man. From the conversation with his nurse, apparently he's from a poor family who studied hard to be a doctor. He is rather quiet and stern sometimes, whenever during our check-up, my husband always said that we short-changed him thats why he always like so grumpy. Whenever I tell him my back pain or whatever, he will said its normal. Wrist pain, it's normal. Leg pain, is normal. Everything is normal. We got used to it and he advised us pre-admission and thought us some ways to save money without spending so much in the hospital. I think this is a very good point.
3. Our second child was delivered last month. This weekend is his full moon and we are doing gift pack deliveries. Coincidentally, during this time around, Dr Tan went for holiday so I had to choose a backup obstetrician. My colleague recommended Dr Tang Boon Nee, so I went with her. First impression, my husband said she look like a rocker but then she has her ways with her patients. She did my caesarian and treated us well. We both like her service!

Difference between both deliveries (both caesarian).
1. Dr Tan will put me on drip and not let me eat until I pass wind. Dr Tang let me eat little by little, advised me to stop if I vomit.
2. Dr Tan carried the baby out, lift up and showed me and got the nurse to bring him out to the father. Dr Tang carried the baby out, put it next to me, talked to me, asked me kiss the baby and then send the baby out to the father.
3. Dr Tan sewing is ok but I remember he look so serious when he sew, I stress also. Dr Tang can smile and sing song to me when she sew and I tell you, sewing is definitely a woman's job!
4. Additionally, Dr Tang provide some heat socks that helps with blood circulation

They are both good doctors, just approach is different. Some people prefer men because in case of emergency, they have better response time. Some people prefer women because they shy. Some people prefer older men doctor because experienced but some prefer younger because better reflexes.

Overall, I think all SDMC doctors are great! But in the future, when we get our 3rd child, we will go for Dr Tang! Highly recommended!

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Added on August 23, 2012, 11:48 pmBirth options:
1. Natural
2. Caesarian

Hospital procedure:
1. If water bag break, shower and go hospital, admit and wait until doctor come to check on you. After water bag break, still can tahan up to 10 - 12 hours. Doctor will come see you and tell you when you are going to deliver.
2. If caesarian, pick a date (if you see fengshui), tell the doctor the date you selected, book the operating theatre, go for the delivery on the date.


Charges:
Very hard to tell but it varies. Both my children is caesarian.
1. The first in 2010 was about RM7 - RM8k for bothparent and children because during the last day, I complaint chest pain and they sent me for MRI scan which was quite expensive, I think around RM700 - RM900.
2. The second in 2012 was about RM7,700 for me and RM1,300 for my son. Total bill is RM9k. It was expensive because it was an emergency. The water bag broke about 2.5 weeks earlier than the EDD.


Pre-natal class
If you have the spare cash, about RM320 - RM380, less than RM400. It is strongly recommended that you attend it and learn the modern ways to care for a baby. I recommended this to a few colleague who are having their first child and everyone enjoyed the class. I think the class offered in SDMC is cheaper than in Sunway and it's quite informative. No regret.

I remember during our class, the nurse / midwife talked about chinese confinement practise - about how they dont shower for 1 month. We had 16 chinese couple in class and 1 malay couple. The malay couple was stunned when they heard about it. My husband just LOL.

This post has been edited by merchant9: Aug 23 2012, 11:48 PM

You know like how you need to go for blood test, then you have to fast with no food / drinks for 12 hours? It's the same thing so it's not all that hard. This happened with my first pregnancy.

When the second pregnancy came, we were having good Japanese dinner the night before. We had great laughs about jokes which were shared over dinner and then poof, next day, water bag burst. Then I took a shower and went to the hospital at 9am but Dr Tang only delivered (via c-sec) at 2pm.

So I guess it all depends on timing? We dont know when exactly the baby will come out yes, unless you pick a date for him / her and expect him to come at x date of y month 2012.

My first c-sec, I was really reluctant with the pain killers. I worried about how it might affect me in the future. All medications have its own side effects even though doctors told me that there hasnt been enough research to proof that epidural and other pain killers may cause harm on human bodies. After the c-sec (first pregnancy), i tried my best not to take pain killers. The pain was bad, getting cut up 7 layers of meat to get the baby out. I couldnt stand. When next day came, I got stuck in the bed, frustrated, back felt heated even though the a/c was on. I tried to stand but couldnt, I moved to the side of the bed and that was painful enough for me to give up. The doctor and nurse scolded me, told me I have to get up the second day. They took off my urinal bag in the next morning, I had to learn to go toilet on my own. It was really bad, I had to hunch (bongkok) and one hand hold onto my husband and the other hand holding my belly. The nurse held onto my side. I went to toilet with them and shooed them out to do my business (big and small).

It took me 4D3N to recover. Monday deliver, Friday discharge. This was due to my own stubbornness.

The second pregnancy, I took the pain killer thinking what the hell, whatever side effects that's gonna come the next 30 years, so be it. I'd be an old hag by then. I just listen to the doctor and nurse advise, I took what I had to, what I was told to. I could get up the next day and discharge the day after. I was only in there for 3D2N. Sat deliver, Monday discharge. I am more active this time around, not sure it was due to experience.

Many said c-sec is more painful AFTER birth but natural is painful DURING birth. My sister in law went natural for her first child around the time we had our second. She shared her experience where her skin around the between of the vagina and butt torn so she got a hole-in-one. It was horrible, she couldnt even sit properly and everytime her panty or sarong gets in the way, it was really hard. On top of that, she find it a challenge to clean the part with wet tissue and etc.

I opted for c-sec but both the times, it was c-sec due to:
a) baby didnt turn around
b) baby didnt dock

So in a way, I get what I wanted anyway so cant complain. Many prefer natural still though.
a) baby comes out stronger
b) less suffering
c) no scar
but I just cannot imagine myself torn up at the most vulnerable area for delivery. Scares me!