Pregnancy, labour & postpartum help!

Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, coping with pregnancy loss or seeking clarity on birth plans, postpartum recovery or pelvic floor health, these specialists are here to support and guide you every step of the way.

Pregnancy and Getting Pregnant: What You Need to Know

Understanding your birth options

Thinking about creating a birth plan leading up to one of the most important moments of your life? “Every pregnancy and birth is unique, and birth plans should be personalised to each woman’s antenatal journey,” says DR SAMANTHA YEO of Trinity Women’s Specialists.

A few ways that this specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist empowers women through childbirth are by listening to their concerns, informing them of their options, explaining interventions (should they be required) and ensuring open channels of communication with their healthcare team. “A positive birth experience can promote mother child bonding postnatally, and a traumatic birth can be detrimental to postpartum mental health,” she adds.

Start the conversation early

For expectant mums, Dr Yeo encourages them to discuss their birth preferences with their obstetrician from as early in the pregnancy journey as possible. “It’s normal for pregnant women to feel anxious about giving birth,” she says – which is why it can make a world of difference when women are able to share their concerns in a safe and non-judgemental atmosphere. “We understand that childbirth is a defining event in a woman’s life, and open discussions allow us to best hear and support women during this process.”

These discussions include pain relief preferences (such as thoughts regarding epidurals), mode of delivery (Caesarean or vaginal birth), cord blood collection and skin to-skin contact. For couples with requests for auspicious birth timings, arrangements can also be made with your gynaecologist and maternity team to facilitate horoscopic deliveries in a safe manner.

Staying flexible through pregnancy and labour

Importantly, Dr Yeo emphasises that labour is dynamic, and it’s often beneficial for women and their maternity team to recalibrate along the way. “If the birth plan is adjusted in the course of labour, it does not mean that the mother has failed.” Supporting mothers means advocating for them whilst ensuring safety remains top priority.

“Having an open mind and a positive outlook helps, especially when conditions such as foetal distress necessitate emergency Caesarean sections or instrumental deliveries.” Dr Yeo explains that such interventions exist to protect mother and baby, and deliveries in these situations can still be empowering when explained properly with postnatal debriefing.

Ultimately, Dr Yeo believes that birth planning should involve empathy, education, consent and preparing for contingencies. “Knowing the options available can go a long way towards allaying fear and maintaining a calm environment for labour and delivery.”

About the doctor

Dr Samantha Yeo is a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist and the Founding Medical Director of Trinity Women’s Specialists in Novena. She provides personalised care for women throughout their reproductive journey, with a clinical focus on natural fertility, preconception health, pregnancy and postnatal care.

Trinity Women’s Specialists
#06-05 Thomson Medical Centre, 339 Thomson Road
6298 4208 | WhatsApp 8928 0788 | drsamanthayeo@gmail.com | trinitywomensspecialists.com

Trying again after pregnancy loss: You are not alone

“The journey after pregnancy loss is one of love, longing and unimaginable strength. You carry the memories, the dreams and the ache of what could have been,” says TANJA FAESSLER, director and founder of Fertilityconnectz. “The thought of trying again may bring hope, but also fear. ‘What if it happens again? What if my heart breaks once more?’”

Thankfully, you don’t have to go through this alone. Fertilityconnectz was created to empower and support individuals and couples on their path to parenthood, offering compassionate, professional guidance every step of the way.

The team’s certified and dedicated counsellors provide a safe and supportive space to process emotions – helping you navigate grief, ease anxieties, and embrace the next steps.

“Healing isn’t about forgetting – it’s about finding the courage to move forward,” Tanja emphasises. “Every story of loss is different, but every heart deserves to heal. And when you’re ready to try again, we will be here to offer guidance, understanding and unwavering support. Because your dream of parenthood matters.”

Fertility coaching is another key pillar. Through longstanding collaborations with leading IVF clinics in Singapore and a global network of fertility specialists, Fertilityconnectz remains at the forefront of assisted reproductive care.

A complimentary consultation is available for new clients.

Fertilityconnectz
#04-09 The Riverside Piazza, 11 Keng Cheow Street
WhatsApp 9784 4889 | fertilityconnectz.com

From bump to baby: The postpartum journey

Motherhood can be an exhilarating and unpredictable time. As new mums navigate adjustments and postpartum recovery in the weeks after childbirth, the six-week postnatal check-up can be especially crucial. It’s your chance to touch base with your family doctor, like DR VINO ELANGOVAN from the International Medical Clinic (IMC), and ensure you’re getting the adequate help and support you need. Here, Dr Elangovan shares some insider tips and topics to consider.

#1 Postpartum blues and depression

After giving birth, it’s normal to feel happy one minute and cry the next. Many new mums experience mood swings, poor sleep and appetite. These symptoms, commonly known as “baby blues”, usually go away within ten days after giving birth. For some, they last longer or worsen. This is known as postpartum depression.

Symptoms of postpartum depression include having thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby, or that life isn’t worth living. Shifts in attention from the mother to the child post-birth can affect mental recovery, while many women also struggle with negative postpartum body image after giving birth.

We hope to work holistically with mums to strive for good mental and physical health. Postpartum depression is most definitely treatable by our team with medications as well as the help of many skilled therapists that we work with.

#2 Pelvic floor health after pregnancy

The pelvic floor includes a group of muscles and ligaments inside a woman’s body that supports the pelvic organs. It controls the passage of urine and stool and prevents the leakage of urine when one coughs, laughs or sneezes.

Pelvic floor problems are common post-pregnancy as these muscles have supported the weight of a growing baby. Difficult deliveries such as having a large baby, multiple deliveries, instrumental deliveries or prolonged labour can cause increased damage to the pelvic floor. Hence, it’s important for you to highlight during your postpartum check-up if you’re having any new urinary symptoms such as leakage or urgency and frequency. It’s also vital that you bring up symptoms such as constipation or a feeling of not being able to defecate completely.

#3 Post-pregnancy changes in libido

Sexuality and changes in libido are common concerns during postpartum that are not often discussed. Decreased oestrogen levels after giving birth can be a contributing factor. Breastfeeding too can delay the return to intercourse as oestrogen levels remain low for these women. The postpartum drop in oestrogen can result in vaginal dryness, which can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. Certain specialised vaginal lubricants can improve this. If you feel a draggy or heavy feeling down below or a lump in your vagina, this may be due to a prolapse that has happened following a weakened pelvic floor.

During the postpartum check-up, your doctor will perform an assessment that includes a vaginal examination and a cervical cancer screen. We work closely with specialised pelvic floor physiotherapists and urogynaecologists and can seek their help if necessary.

#4 Breastfeeding challenges

Many mothers assume that breastfeeding is natural and will come easily after giving birth. In reality, many new mothers struggle, especially in the first few weeks, as this is an entirely new skill that they need to pick up in a short time.

Common issues that new mothers face include finding the latch uncomfortable, plugged ducts and engorgement. Sometimes, when milk is not removed frequently enough, this can result in mastitis, where there is inflammation of the breast tissue with redness and pain. Some mothers also experience a lack of supply and are unable to meet their baby’s demand. This can cause a great deal of stress for mothers. Medications are available to boost milk supply, which your doctor can prescribe if necessary. We sometimes work with expert lactation consultants to help with these issues.

#5 Haemorrhoids

Many women develop haemorrhoids, especially after vaginal deliveries. Haemorrhoids are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are either found internally or externally around the anus. Symptoms include the feeling of swelling around the back passage, rectal itching, as well as pain and bleeding after a bowel movement. The increased pressure from straining during constipation can sometimes contribute to haemorrhoids. Increasing fluids and dietary fibres can reduce constipation. We will perform an examination and assessment when a mother comes to see us and decide if she needs medications such as pain relief, stool softeners or any further intervention.

#6 Contraception

Your six-week postnatal visit is usually an excellent time to discuss contraceptive options. Not all contraceptive options are suitable for everyone, and we will have to discuss options with you. Other options, such as the implant or intrauterine device, can be explored as a long-term method.

IMC Katong Medical Clinic
#02-07 Katong Square, 88 East Coast Road
6733 4440 | imc-healthcare.com

Like this article on getting pregnant, postpartum depression, birth plans and IVF in Singapore? Read more in our Health & Fitness section.