Reviews on Dr Vanaja from NUH

Fazitis

New Member
Hi guys, i have been given an appointment slot with Dr Vanaja next month. So far, i havent got anyone i know who have engaged her services. Anyone here might be able to give a review on how is she like? Thank you!
 



hi Fazitis,

Did you visit dr vanjana? As even i am planning to take her appointment for by first child ?
 
I'll be seeing dr vanaja too on 3june. My first appt with her as I'm planning on water birth. We'll see how it goes.
 
she is a specialist in water birth as well as normal delivery right ? I have taken this saturday appointment . Did someone recomended her to you ?
 
she is a specialist in water birth as well as normal delivery right ? I have taken this saturday appointment . Did someone recomended her to you ?

hi rimi, yes. my sis in law who used to work in an operating theater recommended her mainly because I'm planning on water birth and was looking at NUH -close to where I live.
However, I have also read up on many reviews that mentioned her appointments are usually overlapped. E.g this couple was saying that they waited v long to see her then once go in the room,maybe talk for abit then get ushered to an adjoining room (whilst another couple is being brought into the room they were previously at) and after their scan they leave from the next room. meaning to say they don't get to see her to discuss again after the scan.
But the thing with all this reviews is that it doesn't happen to everyone and maybe it depends on your chemistry with the doctor as well. So sometimes, best to just see for yourself whether or not you and your hubby are comfortable with the gynae.

Appreciate your update after your appointment this sat. All the best! :)
 
Hi, I went for my first appointment with dr vanaja. And I waited for about 2.5 hours before I get to speak to her for 10-15 min. I wanted waterbirth initially too. But when I spoke to her abt my birth option, I think she wasn't really encouraging on it. She told me the only difference is the additional price. So, I think I will go for natural birth instead of water birth as I'm not convinced by her passion on water birth. Anyway, If there's any successful water birth case done by her, do share with me too. Hopefully can encourage me to re-consider her again.
 
Hi, I went for my first appointment with dr vanaja. And I waited for about 2.5 hours before I get to speak to her for 10-15 min. I wanted waterbirth initially too. But when I spoke to her abt my birth option, I think she wasn't really encouraging on it. She told me the only difference is the additional price. So, I think I will go for natural birth instead of water birth as I'm not convinced by her passion on water birth. Anyway, If there's any successful water birth case done by her, do share with me too. Hopefully can encourage me to re-consider her again.

Hi, thanks for sharing. :) May I ask how many weeks are you at now? So you will still go with her for your delivery? Did you ask her alot of questions? Or she feeds you with information willingly?
 
I saw Dr. Vanaja at pretty much last minute last Saturday. I was unsure of what I wanted on whether c sect, natural birth or water birth. My current gynae Dr. Woo told me that my baby is too big because I have been taking too much sugar. I freaked out and started looking for options to ease a natural birth. Researched and opted to check out water birth in NUH. I was given Dr. Vanaja as all docs was booked until end June which is too close to my EDD.

Went to NUH and registered. They gave me booklets and pamplets for emotional support for mothers. Then I settled in and waited for about 1 hour 45 mins.

My impression on her

1. Not really encouraging on water birth. I mean your hospital is suppose to be pioneer on this and she didn't explain pros and cons. She said that if the baby is too big might have to do c sect because labor might be too long. Yes I know! That is why I'm coming to check on water birth. So she didn't say a single word on water birth to me.

2. Unnecessary test? She wants me to go for some test to see why my baby is big and which part of the baby is big. (Checking for abnormalities perhaps?) She physically felt my tummy and pressed around it and agreed it was big. Gave her all my previous test done at Thomson. It is her right as a doctor to do her due diligence but I don't really want to go through all the test and have her tell me that I have to go c sect.

3. I don't feel a connection with her. Maybe it is just me.

So I think I'm going back to Dr Woo whom I'm more comfortable with. So far he hasn't failed me yet.
 
I'm surprised that she is discouraging water birth... When I considered the natural birth in NUH I was given her name as one of the doctors who supports natural and water birth. But seems like it's not really the true...
Quite saddening. I have high expectation of NUH for my birth. Not sure if I will have water birth, or just natural, but I really would like to have as little intervention as possible. And if even they cannot provide it, it's really discouraging.
I have made an appointment with another NUH doctor, hope she will be able to help me to have natural birth.
 
Hi, thanks for sharing. :) May I ask how many weeks are you at now? So you will still go with her for your delivery? Did you ask her alot of questions? Or she feeds you with information willingly?

Currently, I'm about 24 weeks. I will still be going with her for natural delivery but not water birth delivery as she wasn't really passion and encouraging about it during the first appointment where she was being recommended to me as a specialist in water birth.

I only asked if she would recommend water birth to me since I've expressed my interest when discussing on my birth option. But, she just replied the difference would just be the cost. I went for talks and seminar on water birth before, the Gynae are quite passion about it. I've spoke to Emma care Nurses too, they are also very passion and encouraging in water birth. They would share the successful stories or at least what I should be looking out for and etc. I would say, if you're looking for a very friendly, interactive and informative Gynae, you won't be impressed by her on first impression.

But, nevertheless, I would still try on her for natural birth, and see how it goes and if she can change my opinion of her as a Gynae. Cos after all, she's still a senior consultant.
 
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Hi, Kc.april.
My term is almost same as yours. When is your EDD? (mine 26 Sep).
I've made an appointment with Dr. Anupriya and also hoping for natural birth.
Are you engaging Emma care as well? or only the doctor?
 
I'm surprised that she is discouraging water birth... When I considered the natural birth in NUH I was given her name as one of the doctors who supports natural and water birth. But seems like it's not really the true...
Quite saddening. I have high expectation of NUH for my birth. Not sure if I will have water birth, or just natural, but I really would like to have as little intervention as possible. And if even they cannot provide it, it's really discouraging.
I have made an appointment with another NUH doctor, hope she will be able to help me to have natural birth.
Technically she didn't discourage but she didn't even mention water birth at all even when I gave her a brief outline of why I was going to her and that I wanted water birth. I gave only the main points and did not tell her long long story since I usually don't waste too much of a doctor's time. I won't say she discourage but more like choose to steer away from that. So yes I am very disappointed with the outcome. Dr. Woo on the other hand is a doctor with very few words but is more pro natural birth than Dr. Vanaja in my opinion. When I said I wanted a c sect Dr. Woo gave me his opinion on pros and cons of c sect and natural birth and highly encourage natural birth and assuring me that the pain can be managed.

So I highly suggest making a decision as early as possible if you want a water birth and try to get a doctor who is open and in favour of water birth.
 
Currently, I'm about 24 weeks. I will still be going with her for natural delivery but not water birth delivery as she wasn't really passion and encouraging about it during the first appointment where she was being recommended to me as a specialist in water birth.

I only asked if she would recommend water birth to me since I've expressed my interest when discussing on my birth option. But, she just replied the difference would just be the cost. I went for talks and seminar on water birth before, the Gynae are quite passion about it. I've spoke to Emma care Nurses too, they are also very passion and encouraging in water birth. They would share the successful stories or at least what I should be looking out for and etc. I would say, if you're looking for a very friendly, interactive and informative Gynae, you won't be impressed by her on first impression.

But, nevertheless, I would still try on her for natural birth, and see how it goes and if she can change my opinion of her as a Gynae. Cos after all, she's still a senior consultant.
Hi, Kc.april.
My term is almost same as yours. When is your EDD? (mine 26 Sep).
I've made an appointment with Dr. Anupriya and also hoping for natural birth.
Are you engaging Emma care as well? or only the doctor?
Hi, Kc.april.
My term is almost same as yours. When is your EDD? (mine 26 Sep).
I've made an appointment with Dr. Anupriya and also hoping for natural birth.
Are you engaging Emma care as well? or only the doctor?

Mine is 24 Sept. I won't be engaging Emma Care since I won't be doing water birth. Just sticking to the doctor. But will aim for natural birth if possible with no help and keeping my options open cos have to depend on baby safety too.
 
2016 new mom, thanks for sharing. Now I'm a bit stressed, coz I thought that engaging a pro-natural doctor from NUH will guarantee (well, unless complications) me natural delivery with or without water if I decide so.
But if they are not even enthusiastic about it, then what's the point... I will be switching to NUH from KKH at 32 weeks and at that time no much time left to pick the doctor. Just hoping that Dr. Anupriya will be more supporting of natural birth.

Kc.april, wow, we are so close. Maybe even deliver the same day. :) I have not made up my mind about Emma Care yet, but I feel that it gives me some protection against the doctor's intervention. :D the doctors die-die want to interferer even if they promised "natural birth". :)
 
hi guys,sorry for late reply ,my visit to Dr vanaja was a okay experience ,may be it was my first visit,for me she said its too early for any major test to be done ,so only vaginal scan she did to show the baby to me ,i asked her if it can be avoided to which she said you will not be able to see the baby then. some one had told me that this scan is not required and you can wait untill you are ready for abdonimal scan ,as it has risk involved sometimes? my net visit is 22 june .

Since it was my first visit i did not feel a connection with her ,dont know why.she just prescribed some medicines to me folic acid,nausea and dydrogesterone --this partiular medicne seems a bit scary to me ? any one else also having this ??.
 
anyone seeing Dr Manisha here from KKH ? i have sechduled a appointment with her on 19th july as well in advance in case i dont find Dr Vanaja suitable till that time .
 
hi Fazitis,

Did you visit dr vanjana? As even i am planning to take her appointment for by first child ?

Sorry for the very late reply! I did visit her. I find her very patient and will entertain every question i have.
 
reading about the not being to connect part, compared to my last gynae, i feel that i can connect with my former gynae better. I talked to the hubs about it. and men...being men, he just said for a connection, pay 4K more lor. My former gynae is from Thomson and the bill size scared the hubs.

So we decided to just give Dr Vanaja a try. So far, it has been okay so I am just sticking with her for practicality reasons (Distance from home to NUH and costs).
 
Hi, I had visited Dr. Vanaja couple of times but same experience as other members on this thread experienced- no connection with doctor. In fact, she was almost sleepy half the time, I could see her so exhausted as she was probably in hospital from 4;00AM due to two deliveries one after another. She was closing her eyes when talking to me or looking at her computer screen for previous tests. I don't find NUH any cheaper than my previous Gynae so might be cricling back to her after my fifth month scan.

Anybody can advise me on what to expect from details scan?
 
Hi, I had visited Dr. Vanaja couple of times but same experience as other members on this thread experienced- no connection with doctor. In fact, she was almost sleepy half the time, I could see her so exhausted as she was probably in hospital from 4;00AM due to two deliveries one after another. She was closing her eyes when talking to me or looking at her computer screen for previous tests. I don't find NUH any cheaper than my previous Gynae so might be cricling back to her after my fifth month scan.

Anybody can advise me on what to expect from details scan?


Hi,

i just went for my detailed scan on the 29th July. They will take measurements of certain parts and check for the baby's arms, legs, fingers,etc. and of course the gender of the baby. The measurements are just a yardstick on how a baby is developing. I wll probably stick to Dr Vanaja. She seems okay so far. i just really really hope her stitching skills are okay.
 
Hi,

i just went for my detailed scan on the 29th July. They will take measurements of certain parts and check for the baby's arms, legs, fingers,etc. and of course the gender of the baby. The measurements are just a yardstick on how a baby is developing. I wll probably stick to Dr Vanaja. She seems okay so far. i just really really hope her stitching skills are okay.

Thanks Fazitis for your reply. I am going to dr. Vanaja for detailed scan but after scan and consultation I will decide whether or not to stick with her.
 
okay! pls let me know if you have anything news abt this gynae.
Sure, My upcoming visit next week will be the decision maker for me. if I will go ahead with her or not.

Also, anyone has created whatsapp group here? I will be interested to join your group on discussions primarily on mums to be
 
Sure, My upcoming visit next week will be the decision maker for me. if I will go ahead with her or not.

Also, anyone has created whatsapp group here? I will be interested to join your group on discussions primarily on mums to be


Hi. How was your experience? Did you decide to continue with Dr Vanaja?
 
Hi. How was your experience? Did you decide to continue with Dr Vanaja?

Hi, I am continuing with Doctor Vanaja as I found her ok. She answers my questions although not so much in detail but guess, she seems fine so far. Nothing so fancy but not bad too
 
Hi, I am continuing with Doctor Vanaja as I found her ok. She answers my questions although not so much in detail but guess, she seems fine so far. Nothing so fancy but not bad too

Me too! Anyway, i am giving birth in abt 2 months, so i have given up hope looking for other doctors!
 

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