On 17 May, the FV-Thomson Obstetrics & Gynaecology – Breast Care Clinic at FV Hospital hosted a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Scientific Conference titled “New Challenges in Management of High-risk Pregnancy”. The event brought together 430 doctors and medical staff from Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces. During the conference, leading obstetricians from Vietnam and Singapore shared practical insights for identifying and managing high-risk pregnancies, aiming to ensure safe deliveries for both mother and baby.

With strong support from Thomson Medical Centre – one of Singapore’s largest and most established obstetrics institutions with over 45 years of experience, the FV-Thomson Obstetrics & Gynaecology – Breast Care Clinic has adopted a range of advanced medical services and techniques to continually elevate the care experience for expectant mothers. As part of this partnership, FV’s team of doctors, midwives, and nurses has received advanced training from Thomson Medical Centre. Through this collaboration, clinical protocols have been transferred to improve the identification and management of risks during pregnancy and labour, thereby enhancing safety for both mother and baby.

International Standard High-Risk Pregnancy Care at FV Hospital

FV Hospital is recognised for its internationally accredited Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre, serving patients across southern Vietnam. Over the past 20 years, tens of thousands of mothers have trusted FV as their preferred destination for childbirth. The department is equipped with advanced medical technologies, including the GE Voluson 730 3D/4D ultrasound system and a state-of-the art hysteroscopy unit. Delivery rooms and operating theatres are modern and fully equipped, with all facilities adhering to JCI standards for infection control and patient safety.

As a specialised clinic within FV’s multidisciplinary hospital, the FV-Thomson Obstetrics & Gynaecology – Breast Care Clinic benefits from the close collaboration with specialists from other departments such as Paediatrics, Surgery, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nutrition, Psychology, and Physiotherapy. This integrated approach ensures that high-risk and complex deliveries are managed promptly and effectively on-site.

According to Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc, Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology – Breast Care Clinic, FV-Thomson, the department’s obstetricians and gynaecologists receive regular training from experts at Thomson Medical Group (Singapore), with a focus on managing high-risk pregnancies. This collaboration strengthens the clinic’s capacity to identify and respond promptly to conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, foetal growth restriction, and congenital heart abnormalities requiring immediate postnatal intervention. FV Hospital is also equipped with an in-house blood bank and highly experienced critical care teams for both adult and neonatal emergencies. These resources enable the hospital to effectively handle complex obstetric complications, including postpartum haemorrhage and cases involving large fibroids during pregnancy.

Drawing on extensive clinical experience and the latest advancements in obstetric care, FV Hospital and Thomson Medical Group co-organised this conference on high-risk pregnancy management, bringing together leading obstetric experts from Vietnam and Singapore. The event aimed to facilitate the exchange of clinical knowledge and support the continued improvement of maternal care quality in Vietnam.

Addressing Hidden Risks in Pregnancy

At the conference, Sharon Foo Anqi, MBBS, MRCOG, Maternal Foetal Medicine Consultant, Thomson Specialist (Paragon Medical Centre), delivered a presentation on a topic of significant concern to many obstetricians: “Difficult Caesarean Section: When the Foetal Head is Deeply Engaged.” This serious complication typically occurs in the second stage of labour, when the baby’s head becomes lodged during labour.

According to Dr Sharon Foo Anqi, the incidence of complex pregnancies is rising, particularly among older expectant mothers who often face multiple health conditions. Globally, Caesarean section rates continue to increase. In Singapore, 5% of Caesarean deliveries occur during the second stage of labour, and nearly one in four are first-time procedures. In the UK, 16% of Caesarean sections are performed during the second stage, and almost 1 in 10 are emergency cases. Dr Sharon shared the latest clinical insights to support Vietnamese obstetricians in managing these high-risk and potentially life-threatening situations.

A wide range of pregnancy-related risk factors were also addressed by experts during the conference, highlighting the need for obstetricians and multidisciplinary teams to adopt a comprehensive, current, and well-coordinated approach to care.

Bui Chi Thuong, MD, PhD – Head of Obstetrics, Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital – delivered a presentation on uterine fibroids during pregnancy. Affecting 3-12% of pregnant women, fibroids can contribute to complications such as miscarriage, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and postpartum complications. However, the severity of these outcomes depends on the fibroid’s location, number, and size. Dr Thuong emphasised that women diagnosed with fibroids should not be overly anxious, but instead, they should attend regular prenatal check-ups and undergo frequent ultrasounds to monitor fibroid growth. This enables clinicians to make appropriate management decisions. In most cases, vaginal delivery remains the preferred option, and Caesarean section reserved for situations where it is medically indicated by an obstetrician.

Dr Tran Nhat Thang, MD, PhD – Head of Obstetrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCMC – presented a strategy for universal screening and preventive treatment of preeclampsia in all pregnant women. This proactive approach is designed to prevent life-threatening complications such as maternal kidney failure, liver dysfunction, cardiopulmonary complications, as well as foetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth.

Le Kim Tuyen, MD, PhD, Cardiology Specialist, Tam Duc Heart Hospital and Lecturer at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine – shared valuable insights on screening for congenital heart defects in newborns. These conditions account for nearly 40% of neonatal deaths and congenital malformations. Her presentation offered essential clinical guidance for obstetricians to identify and respond promptly, improving outcomes and potentially saving lives.

According to Dr Vo Trieu Dat, health issues among pregnant women are becoming more common as maternal age increases, raising the likelihood of obstetric complications. “Expectant mothers with multiple risk factors need a clear care plan, should dedicate time to rest, attend regular prenatal check-ups, and strictly follow their obstetrician’s recommendations. I believe that with proactive monitoring and proper care, even high-risk pregnancies can lead to healthy and successful births,” he shared.

Water Labour Introduced for the First Time in Vietnam

At the conference, Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc presented on the water labour method, a birthing technique with over 50 years of global history, now being pioneered in Vietnam by FV Hospital. This approach involves labouring in a warm-water birthing pool before transferring to a delivery bed. It offers several benefits, including natural pain relief, reduced need for pain medication, shorter labour duration, improved relaxation and mobility, and greater overall satisfaction with the birthing experience. Water labour is particularly suitable for women who prefer to manage labour pain without medication or are unable to use conventional pain relief methods. It also appeals to those seeking a calmer, more natural labour experience.

“Water labour is recommended for expectant mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies, where the pregnancy progresses normally and there are no high-risk factors such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or any medical conditions that would contraindicate immersion in water. To pursue this birthing option, mothers should have a thorough discussion with their attending obstetrician.” explained Dr Dat.

Since the official introduction of the water labour method, FV Hospital has attracted widespread public interest. Notably, women who have recently given birth using this technique have shared highly positive feedback, highlighting a sense of relaxation, effective pain relief, and shorter labour durations.

As an innovative birthing method offering multiple benefits for mothers, Dr Vo Trieu Dat’s presentation on water labour drew considerable interest at the conference. Many obstetricians raised questions, expressing hope that FV Hospital’s successful implementation could serve as a model for broader adoption across Vietnam.

However, Dr Dat noted that it will take time for Vietnamese women to become familiar with this approach. He also pointed out that the method requires more in-depth prenatal counselling between doctor and patient, which may present challenges for implementation in public hospitals where time and staffing are limited.

Attending physicians praised the overall quality of the conference, describing it as a valuable opportunity to deepen their knowledge in depth, expand professional networks, and gain direct insights into modern pregnancy management trends from leading national and international experts.

“In the context of a growing number of high-risk pregnancies, this conference provided a valuable opportunity for leading obstetric experts from Singapore to share their extensive clinical experience with their Vietnamese counterparts. This exchange enables the Vietnamese obstetrics community to access valuable insights and apply them effectively in clinical practice, contributing to improved quality of maternal care,” said Vu Truong Son, MD, MSc, Medical Director, FV Hospital.

To contact with FV-Thomson Obstetrics & Gynaecology – Breast Care Clinic, please call: (028) 35 11 33 33