We're happy to work with any doctor. Many doctors in Singapore welcome working with doulas, but a few do not. This is a question to ask your doctor.

Some background. There are two basic approaches to pregnancy and labour care: "active management" and "expectant management." An active management approach assumes that the safest way to handle pregnancy and birth is to take active steps to try to prevent problems. Active management therefore involves a higher level of routine intervention (such as continuous electronic monitoring, episiotomy, and sustained pushing techniques), and usually imposes time limits on labour. An active management approach assumes that intervention is usually necessary and is routinely beneficial for all women and will rely on set protocols, so will not be as open to considering a range of options for different circumstances.

An expectant management approach, on the other hand, takes the view that birth works best when it happens undisturbed in most cases. Routine interventions, which were intended to prevent problems, are recognized to actually increase your risk of other complications, so routines are avoided. A doctor practicing expectant management will prefer to watch carefully and closely, and act promptly when there is specific medical reason to do so in your individual case. A doctor who practices expectant management will be more confident about you making various choices that you decide are right for you.

Under an active management philosophy, because the process of birth is directed in a more standardized, routine manner, there are fewer options open to you for your individual circumstances. You may therefore find that a doula is less free to do the full job you've hired her for, which includes providing you with options that can help you follow the plans you have made for your birth. Think through what kind of care you want and what combination of caregivers – doctors, nurses, doulas – will provide what you are looking for.

If you are unsure whether or not your doctor would be supportive of the sort of birth you are planning for, feel free to contact us to discuss it and to talk over good questions to ask to have a helpful dialogue with your doctor. Call Tania at +65 9671-8428, or email us.

ParentLink has an information page for you to find out more about working with different doctors in Singapore.
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