22/02/2025
I posted my birth story in 'The Gentle Birthing Group Malaysia' Facebook group a few days after my second birth, as I am really grateful to have benefited from this group and would like to contribute to it. This group provides a support network for mothers wishing to have a gentle birth. I read gentle birth stories and look for recommended doctors in the group.
The philosophy of the group is that we believe pregnancy and birth are natural processes that should be treated with respect. Each woman has the right to make informed decisions regarding the birth of her baby and should not be intimidated into making choices that she is uncomfortable with.
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For my second birth, I wanted to find a hospital closer to home, especially since my first birth was quick. Sungai Long Specialist Hospital was the nearest option, and Dr. Haw was the doctor I had my eye on. I knew he was on the Gentle Birth White List. However, after hearing about his recent C-section cases from friends, neighbors, and clients (I’m a women’s health physio), and being unable to find recent posts about him in the Gentle Birth group—most recommendations were from over 10 years ago, with the latest from 7 years ago—I felt a little hesitant.
Still, I decided to go to him when I was 36 weeks pregnant. Dr. Haw turned out to be exactly what I was hoping for: very supportive of gentle birth. He accepted all of my birth plan requests while also explaining the potential need for alternative actions in case of complications. He made it clear that everything was up for discussion, and he thoroughly explained the risks while emphasizing that the choices were mine to make.
For example, I asked if a GBS test was necessary. He asked me what I would do if the test was positive, and I told him I’d still prefer not to use antibiotics. He then explained that there was no point in doing the test if I didn’t plan on treating it, and he informed me of the associated risks. We decided not to do the test. At my 38-week follow-up, he predicted that I’d give birth within the week.
He was right! Things started happening at the dawn of 38 weeks + 6 days. I woke up at 5:15 AM feeling a contraction, which I thought was a dream. When I checked, I realized my underwear was wet—this was it. We packed our things and headed to the hospital.
Upon arrival, I was 7 cm dilated, and Dr. Haw was called in. He arrived just as I began feeling the urge to p**p. He checked the baby’s position and asked what delivery position I preferred. He actually remembered my request! I chose kneeling. Within two contractions, my baby was born, at 6: 45 AM —no pushing (yes! work is all done by the contractions and the gravity due to positioning), no medication or gas, and no tearing.
We practiced delayed cord clamping until the cord stopped pulsating (around 15 minutes), and I had immediate skin-to-skin contact with my baby.
Looking back, I call my first birth an “unmedicated birth” (but previous Dr insisted on pitocin for hemorrhage prevention and had local anesthesia for suturing), but this second birth was truly unmedicated. We were really grateful to have Dr. Haw and a hospital so close to home. Who knew it was only 1.5 hours from the first symptom to giving birth?
In conclusion, if you know what you want and arm yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions (which I believe most of you in this group do), Dr. Haw is an excellent choice.
Bonus points: There was absolutely no waiting time during my two antenatal appointments with him. Sungai Long Specialist Hospital may be small, but the staff are incredibly friendly, and the atmosphere feels more like a community setting than a hospital—perfect for encouraging your birthing hormones to flow!
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