As with every expectant mother who looks forward to meeting her little one, knowing that she is in safe, expert hands can play a huge difference in her journey to parenthood—from the moment she learns of her pregnancy right down to giving birth.
There's nothing more reassuring for parents—especially first-time mums—than being surrounded by a team of dedicated healthcare professionals. Especially when it’s in a facility like Gleneagles Hospital, where the necessary support, knowledge and peace-of-mind is readily at hand. Here, we explore how it's like to journey from pregnancy to birth and beyond with this baby-friendly hospital.
Pregnancy
Come pregnancy, one of the most exciting moments is perhaps being able to experience the various changes to mum's body as well as feeling baby's kicks.
But with every woman and pregnancy being so unique, there needs to be a personalised approach to help expectant mothers and their families tackle issues that may arise. This includes assisting expectant mums understand how to maintain mental and sexual health, addressing pregnancy complications that may occur, recommend appropriate nutrition, and highlighting the various labour and birthing methods available in eager anticipation of baby's arrival.
These are essential concerns to clarify with your obstetrician, and you can rest assured that the Gleneagles team is on your side, every step of the way.
Image source: iStock
One such professional is Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Lee Keen Whye, who currently practises at SOG – KW Lee Clinic for Women, located at Gleneagles Medical Centre.
"Choosing your birth hospital, for many expecting mothers, is usually based on convenience such as location—near your house or workplace—as well as your choice of doctor. You choose a doctor because you like the doctor. But when it comes to choosing your birthing hospital... it is important to choose the one which will provide you with the best care—the hospital should have the facilities that will allow them to look after you should you have any special needs before, during and after," Dr Lee said.
Supporting expectant mothers in pregnancy care and delivery services, women and children can look towards trusted obstetric care with a personal touch at Gleneagles Medical Centre.
"Pregnancy can be an exciting yet anxious time for parents, and it is normal to have many questions during your pregnancy journey. Our team of doctors and nurses, along with our hospital staff will be at every mother’s aid before, during and even after their stay at Gleneagles Hospital" said Dr John Yam, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Gleneagles Hospital.
Not to forget the pre-registration which is crucial to attend to before your baby's birth. At Gleneagles hospital, this service is offered as a convenience, allowing you to have a fuss-free delivery without the hassle of paperwork.
Birth-Day
Every expectant mum also hopes for the perfect delivery experience. Calm your pre-birth jitters by learning more about the facilities and services offered at Gleneagles Hospital. Their maternity tours are designed to help better prepare you for delivery upon admission and help ease any concerns you may have before you giving birth.
Look forward to a selection of Gleneagles Hospital maternity wards for a comfortable stay: Single room, 2-Bedded Room, Superior Room and even the Dempsey Suite. Each single room is spacious at 24 square metres, allowing you to bond with your bundle of joy in comfort and privacy.
Single Room option as part of Gleneagles Hospital maternity wards.
No matter which room you pick, mum and baby will get personalised care. This includes personalised Lactation Consultation, a customised Confinement Menu and a comprehensive Newborn Blood Screening, Bilirubin Test, Hearing Screening and Vaccinations.
Depending on the room you pick, it may include a pampering head and shoulder massage to help you relax, meals for your partner, as well as Group Parentcraft Classes (during hospital stay) to help prepare you for childcare as well as provide advice on confinement/postnatal care. Topics of key interest include teaching you how to care for your newborn in areas such as bathing and breastfeeding.
The needs of dad too aren't forgotten, with a recliner chair, television, toiletries set and Wi-Fi among others so that dads can rest up to better care for mum!
Postpartum Care
The standard of care that Gleneagles Hospital provides carries on after birth.
Officially accredited as a baby-friendly hospital under the World Health Organisation’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), Gleneagles Hospital ensures that it meets best-practice standards in supporting mothers to breastfeed successfully.
Mothers who give birth in Baby-Friendly Hospitals like Gleneagles Hospital are said to have increased exclusive breastfeeding rates and longer duration of breastfeeding, all thanks to initiatives such as ensuring of skin-to-skin contact between mother and child immediately after birth, as well as allowing 24-hour rooming-in so mothers and newborns remain close to each other.
Image source: iStock
To help mums recuperate back to health, nutritious and delicious confinement meals will be served direct to your bedside. Your postnatal diet will include vital ingredients commonly found in confinement food recipes, such as sesame oil, ginger, black vinegar, eggs, red dates, chicken and fish for optimum recovery.
And as mentioned earlier, post-delivery parents can look to Gleneagles ParentCraft Centre where their team of ParentCraft personnel will guide you on baby care such as bathing, caring for your baby's umbilical cord stump, breastfeeding and burping of babies, nutrition tips for you if you are breastfeeding, and confinement advice.
Even mundane matters out of the maternity ward are being thought of by Gleneagles hospital. With the staff's assistance, you get to take care of the hospital discharge process from the comfort of your maternity room—from paperwork, medication and billing.
There are so many other reasons why this baby-friendly hospital has been around for over 60 years while providing patients and their families care and support.
The journey to parenthood can sometimes be overwhelming, but with the Gleneagles' team on your side, you can leave your worries aside and look forward to a positive birth experience.
For more information on Gleneagles Hospital and their maternity services, you can visit here.
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