An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Kuala Lumpur

How recently did you give birth in the country that you are reporting on?

March 2009

Describe your experience giving birth there. What type of facility did you go to? What (if any) type of pain management did you use? How long did you stay in the hospital? Was it a positive experience? Etc...

I gave birth at Gleneagles Hospital in KL. It is a modern facility, and my experience was quite good. My OB was a female doctor who trained in UK, I approached her with my desire to do a non-medicated birth and she was open to that, as long as I was aware that things don't always go exactly as planned. Lucky for me, they did, and my son was born after 14 hours of labor, 6 hours at the hospital. I told the midwife when I arrived that I did not want an epidural, and after a moment of disbelief, she left me and my husband alone until I felt 'like pushing' at which point we were to notify her. I was only attached to a fetal monitor at the beginning when I checked in, and then during the active delivery stage. My doctor was open to any birthing position I chose, and she and the midwife were very supportive during the delivery. I delivered in the afternoon, and stayed two nights, baby sleeping in my room. Overall it was a great experience.

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How did you choose your doctor, midwife or other type of medical professional?

Recommended by the US Embassy.

If you were to have another child in this country, would you do anything differently in terms of preparation and/or the delivery?

Pantai Hospital now offers a waterbirthing tub, which I would try to utilize. The doctor mentioned in the other birth experience on this site is highly recommended and working very hard with his wife to turn the medical establishment here away from the medical-intervention birth trend.

If a friend of yours living in the same country were expecting, what advice would you give her?

If you approach your doctor with your birth plan and know what kind of experience you want, they will try to accommodate it. Also, find out the OB's c-section rate and episiotomy rate. Malaysia is a very c-section prone country, but there are doctors who will be happy to have someone who is trying to deliver vaginally and non-medicated. Do come to KL, though. Not sure what the medical service is like elsewhere.