Doctor

Empowering Women

In practice since 1999, Dr. Lai Fon-Min understands the choices women must make regarding their gynaecological and obstetrical care. His more than 20 years of training and experience with high-risk pregnancies, deliveries and key-hole surgery gives women much reassurance in their pregnancy or gynaecological issues. He supports women to make informed choices by providing information about options available. You can trust that your care will be the best for you as an individual.

More than 20 years of training and experience with high-risk pregnancies, deliveries and key-hole surgery

Dr Lai Fon-Min

Dr Lai is
pro-choice

LISTENING TO YOU AND SUPPORTING YOUR CHOICES

Dr Lai is aware that many practitioners have a pre-set idea of the best way to deliver a baby or treat a gynaecological condition. In contrast, he takes the time to listen to what you want – whatever that may be. Your choices are important to him; he will not push you down a particular path unless he believes it is in your best interest. Even then, you will not be subjected to scare tactics. He believes in offering real choices, supported by evidence based practice and does not believe in using fear in pressuring women into a course of action.

He has seen many anxious mothers who have been told the following:

“It is safer and better to have a repeat caesarean section as you had one before”
“The amniotic fluid has decreased or the baby is not growing and we need to deliver the baby by inducing/ caesarean section”
“There are placental calcifications – your placenta is failing and we need to induce labour”
“Your baby is too big for delivery and your baby could end up with shoulder dystocia and die during delivery so it is best we induce delivery or schedule a caesarean section”
“You have bleeding in pregnancy which is indicative of a threatened miscarriage so you need to be hospitalized for bed rest”
“We need to induce labour as you are past your due date”
“The safest way to deliver a breech baby is by Caesarean section”

A NATURAL BIRTH ADVOCATE

He is an active supporter of natural birthing options and is willing to attend a home birth. He is supportive of women choosing to have a birth plan and utilizing methods such as HypnoBirthing and Spinning Babies. Dr. Lai started attending homebirths and waterbirths since 2006 and started the waterbirth movement in private hospitals in Singapore.

As of May 2017 – Dr. Lai who does his own audits, has delivered more than:

71 Vaginal Breech deliveries
254 Vaginal-Birth-After-Cesereans (Vbac & Vba2c)
49 Vaginal Twin deliveries
112 Homebirths

His overall caesarean section rate is 11.6 to 18.0% over the last 10 years. The LSCS rate in private hospitals in Singapore has been rising steadily from 37% in 2008 to 40% in 2012.

As he is skilled in various delivery options, he is able to achieve a high successful vaginal delivery rates without compromising on the safety of the mother or baby for breech, twin pregnancies and previous Caesarean Section births (Vbac). He has been appointed Visiting Head to the Antenatal Risk Assessment Unit of the Department of Maternal-Fetal medicine of the largest maternity hospital in Singapore – KK Hospital – since he left for private practice.

Alicia-&-Dexter---Philippa's-Birth-Story_5Jan2015_0023

Accredited to do Chorionic Villous Sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, level 3 ultrasound scans as well as laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Lai is the Visiting Head to the Antenatal Risk Assessment Unit, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at KK Women Hospital

A SPECIALIST IN THE FIELD

Dr Lai belongs to a select group of obstetricians – about 7% – who does his own detailed nuchal translucency and fetal anomaly scans. This allows him to give you personalized and consistent care as he knows what to look out for, is meticulous and detailed and this also reduces waiting time to get this done externally.

Dr. Lai is certified by the Fetal Medicine Foundation, London for:

NT Scan
Nasal bone
Ductus venosus flow and tricuspid flow assessment (see certificate).
He is also accreditated by KK Hospital for level 3 obstetric fetal anomaly scans, Chorionic villous sampling (CVS), amniocentesis and laparoscopic surgery.

Dr Lai routinely incorporates additional markers in the first trimester combined screening, giving women a thorough understanding of the development of their babies. With his wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of difficult birthing situations, he is perfectly suited to guide you through any difficult situations that may arise. With his help, you will be able to enjoy your pregnancy knowing that he has the health of your baby at the forefront of his mind.

Dr. Lai also does his own detailed 20-week ultrasound scans for fetal anomalies. As a fetal-maternal specialist, he receives many referrals for detailed scans when there is a suspected problem and when a second opinion is needed by another physician. His expert opinion is highly regarded and is essential for determining possible problems at this important ultrasound scan.

Dr Lai’s bio

1987	Graduated from the National University of Singapore
1993	Obtained his post-graduate degrees MRCOG, MRANZCOG and M.Med (O&G, Singapore)
1996	Awarded a HMDP fellowship by the Ministry of Health in 1996 and had his sub-specialty training in Fetal Medicine at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, UK
1999-Present	Consultant and Head of the Antenatal Risk Assessment Unit, Department of Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and consultant in the Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
2002	Left KKH for private practice
2006	Started waterbirthing at Mount Alvernia Hospital and attending Homebirths.
2007	Certified Clinical Hypnotist with the London College of Clinical Hypnosis (LCCH).
2009-2010	President of the College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Singapore

Presently

Private Practice at A Company For Women
Visiting Head to the Antenatal Risk Assessment Unit, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at KK Women Hospital
Member of the O&G Residency Advisory Committee overseeing post-graduate training and is an examiner for the conjoint M Med/ MRCOG part 2 examinations
Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, RANZCOG and RCOG
Council member, Academy of Medicine
Section Head of Maternal – Fetal Medicine, College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Singapore.

Dr. Lai’s vision is to improve maternity care in Singapore

He is currently working on growing his practice even more holistically and hopes to train more doctors to support women and their choices through womanhood and their journeys to becoming mothers.

The team

Dr. Carolyn Loh

Family Physician

Dr Carolyn Loh is a Family Physician with over 20 years of experience in General Practice. Her personal interest is in Women’s Wellness.

Married to Dr Lai Fon-Min, they will work closely in ensuring optimum holistic care for you and your family.

Regina Lau

Office Manager

Regina has been with A Company For Women for over 10 years. As Office Manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the clinic. A married mother of a young adult, Regina is a former National Bowler who spends her leisure time teaching bowling with her husband.

Sri

Senior Staff Nurse

Assists Dr. Lai in all clinical-patient matters and procedures at the clinic. She is a mother of one child and enjoys places of nature.

Nana

Clinic Assistant

Nana takes care of all administrative and receptionist needs at the clinic. A married mother with one daughter, Nana spends her leisure time with her family.