Not really. I’m singing because I’ve FINALLY found the ob-gyn 
If you’ve been reading my pregnancy updates, you’ll recall how difficult it has been for me finding a new ob-gyn (since I was in China) since my regular ob-gyn had left the hospital I loved for its breastfeeding support.
When I finally decided to come home to deliver the baby, here are the 4 different ob-gyns I visited:
1. New ob-gyn, new hospital
We decided to see this new male ob-gyn at a new hospital after a long chat with a blogger Mummy.
He was just as nice as she’d mentioned but I noted:
- the number of supplements he’d prescribed i.e. Obical, Sangobion and Neurogain (I found out later that taking Obical AND Sangobion causes constipation!!!);
- the medical bill (RM250 for just a consultation, an ultrasound scan and the drugs) and
- his exasperation when I suggested he double-check if it’s REALLY not a boy inside (hey, there are numerous stories of a girl becoming a boy later, ok?)
- his rather dark, quiet office floor and placid nurses (in comparison to my previous ob-gyn with a good clientele list and brisk, busy nurses in a bustling environment).
Consultation fee: RM60
Maternity package for private room:
- Normal (3 days/2 nights) – RM3,650
- Caesarean (4 days/2nights) – RM6,600
2. New ob-gyn, old hospital
She was the more senior, experienced ob-gyn with the best credentials. As Hubby couldn’t accompany me, my Mum came along.
Neither of us were impressed with the way she:
- cursorily reviewed the Chinese medical records I’d brought along;
- didn’t ask thorough questions about my first pregnancy;
- rushed through the appointment (max of 20 mins! even though we’d waited for more than 2 hours…);
- promoted an expensive 2-hour long ultrasound scan to check the baby’s brain development or suggested a Down-syndrom test even though I’d firmly stated I’m not interested and
- overall, appeared as anxious and flustered as the expectant mother I am! I think I was calmer than her.
Since it was nearly lunch hour (the nurses told me she suffers from gastritis…) and it’s our first appointment, I decided to give her a second chance.
Unfortunately, she had the nerve to pause halfway during my ultrasound scan (again, after 1.5 hours’ wait for my appointment!!!) to take a telephone call dealing with prices and quotations for a patient’s amniocentesis.
Plus, she was SO unprofessional because she read out the patient’s name, age and medical history from her chart just inches away from me. Hello, what happened to doctor-patient confidential information???
*** Although I’d prefer a male ob-gyn, the only one available at this hospital is around our age! When we checked out his profile and photo, he reminded me of our classmates or uni mates who *still* eat Pringles for dinner, plays Counterstrike / Starcraft / Warcraft / paintball or craves for the latest iPod or iPhone!!!
Consultation fee: RM60 (previous ob-gyn was RM45. Paed was RM35)
Maternity packages:
- Normal – RM2,488
- Instrumental – RM2,688
- Caesarean – NONE
3. Male ob-gyn, new hospital
When I experienced bleeding after peeing during Week 27, I rushed to the nearest hospital for a check-up. This ob-gyn was the first one I’d seen when I experienced bleeding in the first trimester of my first pregnancy.
He was OK although I find him rather cold that I decided to go to the ob-gyn and hospital one of my best friends *highly recommended* aka my former ob-gyn. He’s still the same and I’m grateful he’d pointed out that Obical and Sangobion leads to extreme constipation.
But I didn’t really like the hospital, which isn’t known for anything other than to refer emergency and critical cases to the Penang General Hospital.
Also, I didn’t appreciate his nurse pointing out (again and again and again!) that it was AMAZING I’d delivered a 3.78 kg naturally. I’ve never given this much thought but now, it’s an additional worry for me!
She also didn’t help inspire confidence in the ob-gyn or the hospital because she said:
“If you deliver here, you will surely need a caesarean section!”
Given the poor track record, I was surprised that his consultation fees were the same price as the new (more well-known) hospital I’d visited!
Consultation fee: RM60
Maternity packages: No information available on the website. The ob-gyn’s office also ran out of brochures.
4. New ob-gyn, new hospital
After a long chat with another blogger Mummy (about big babies, long labour, slow dilation, complicated birth experiences), she suggested that I see this older, highly experienced ob-gyn at hospital No. 1.
I did and that’s when I met THE ob-gyn Now, why did I decide on him and the hospital?
a. He was calm, serious, patient and gave me his full attention during the 30 minutes’ consultation.
No phone calls. No interruptions. I didn’t even notice his nurse going in or out of the room.
We discussed my medical history, previous pregnancy and current pregnancy. He even opened up a new file for my previous pregnancy! And he jotted down each new additional detail I mentioned.
I’m not the sort to ask MANY, MANY, MANY questions but I do have a list in mind and he was patient, informative and professional as we discussed them.
The one funny part was when I asked:
“What’s the best sign (e.g. lightening? more intense Braxton-Hicks contractions?) I can tell my husband in China that he needs to jump on the plane IMMEDIATELY? I am NOT going to deliver this baby on my own.”
He was serious during our conversation but a small smile broke his face when I asked him that. Courteously, he told me that in second pregnancies, I will not experience ‘lightening’ until labour is due. Plus, I’m carrying the baby SOO LOW I’d probably not feel it either.
He seemed to think that the date Hubby has scheduled to return seems timely and even if he’s not around, he said,
“We’ll just take each step as it comes, shall we? We’ll let nature run its course.”
b. He IS experienced.
I really like his matter-of-fact, pro-natural and professional approach because he did not:
- assure me, “Don’t worry…” It’s obvious I’m worried!
- say silly things like, “It’s OK, it’s not your first time delivering a baby…” or “You should be an expert already since it’s your second time.”
- suggest a caserean section even though he remarked that the first one was a big baby (I now weigh 74.5 kg and the baby is already 2.2 kg!!!). He said,
“Sometimes, a big baby could be genetic even if you’ve taken all steps to watch your diet. I’m sure that since you’ve had a big baby the first time, you will be able to do it a second time.”
He also noted down that I’d like an epidural and a vacuum but NOT a forceps-assisted birth. Then, he noted that I’d be immobile if I requested for an epidural on the onset of birth – I had the option of moving around if I waited for the 4 cm. Also, I was pleased to hear that he’ll reduce the dosage when it came to the time to push…
c. His fees are NOT as expensive as No.1.
Although I was wary about taking the fish oil supplement (Neurogain), he gently insisted that I take it for the baby’s brain development. The bill came up to RM198 (ultrasound scan, Sangobion and Neurogain).
d. I like the hospital’s delivery and recuperation non-clinical environment.
Interestingly, the facilities will NOT match up to the state-of-the art VIP Maternity Center in China but I like the looks of the delivery room with its pleasant colours and wallpaper.
The private room package in Hospital 1 is RM650 more expensive than Hospital 2. I thought of saving money by opting for the 2-bedded room package, about RM1,200 cheaper.
Thankfully, Hubby said he doesn’t mind the expense since he wants us to have REST and PRIVACY. We do not want to deal with my room-mate’s different sleeping times or throng of family/friends’ visits.
Plus, Hubby knows I have a PHOBIA for doctors and hospitals.
I am a REALLY low maintenance wife because I don’t:
- go for expensive hair salons;
- buy designer clothes, shoes or bags;
- need an extensive range of make-up to powder my face or
- crave for expensive jewellery (I’m just waiting for ONE diamond ring…)
My major expenses have been food, books, cloth diapers and skincare products, most of which are for HIS son anyway who inherited HIS sensitive skin 
.
Phew, I can now breathe, relax and look forward to the remaining 7 weeks of this pregnancy!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
anyway, glad you found your obgyn. he does sound nice and reassuring. try not to worry too much – i know easier said than done coz i was a worry wart too in my 2nd pregnancy – so just go with the flow and relax as much as you can. coz whn ur baby is out, relaxing wont come naturally already. tk care!
Great news that you found an ob-gyn that you like! Wow didn’t know you have *only* 7 more weeks to go
Waaa… very detail in looking for an ob-gyn!
so detail… good that you found an ob-gyn.
my ob-gyn never prescribed neurogain to me.
Wow! 7 weeks to go…good job so far… will be thinking of you over the next few weeks. Take good care!
wah!!! hou fan ah!!!!
so now can relax and shop-shop for lil princess…
Glad that you’ve found the right doc… and hope everything will go as planned.
Wow, time really flies. Only seven more weeks to go. And good that you finally found the O&G that you’re comfortable with.
You are so detail in finding your Mr. Right Ob-gyn.
Since it is bb no 2 and you are carrying low, I would suggest your husband to arrive in Penang about 7-10 days before the EDD.
All the best.
KittyCat: Were you carrying low and experienced early labour? I read on various forums that it isn’t really an indicator. Also, a few of my friends delivered on EDD for both kids. Anyway, he’ll come back 5 days before but will definitely put him on standby!
Hi,
I came across your site whilst searching for good gynaes in Penang. If the OBGYN you have found is in Penang, would appreciate it immensely if you could email me the name of the doc and the hospital please. I need to change my current OBYGN due to certain concerns. I’m already 6 months pregnant and would like to change OBGYNs real soon.
Thank you so much!
Ann – I’ve written to you and hope it helps
Hi KittyCat,
Just like Ann, I was directed to your blog for recommended gynaes in Penang. Since we are new in Penang, would appreciate if you could let us know this gynae #4. We had troubles with the others. Please help. Thank you in advance.
Mic
Michelle – I’m not sure if he’s such a good ob-gyn after all because I ended up having an epidural and a C-section, which didn’t seem logical. The hospital is well known for its medical equipment, it seems. Will write you and also Ann to see how she is ok?