Your first pregnancy can be an extremely intimidating experience, but with enough support and guidance, you will sail through. As an expecting mother, it's important that you read as much as possible to ensure the best possible treatment and health for yourself and your baby, especially in this post-pandemic era. The labour and delivery process, especially after COVID-19 cannot be compromised and the more you prepare yourself, the better it is.
With hospitals dealing with so many protocols around admitting a patient in today's times, it's necessary to have all the reassurance that you can get. That's why, we asked 21 experienced mums to share their best advice on labour and delivery, to clear any doubts at different stages of pregnancy. All the new mummies-to-be out there, this one is for you!
1. Don't go into labour on an empty stomach
"Always eat something. And a full meal at that. I mean, you can never really do anything on an empty stomach right?" - Teo Hui Lin, 32
2. Use those abs, mummy
"Unless you want to get a butt ache, push from your butt. But if you don't, use your abs as if you're doing a crunch, even if they're non-existent!" - Aarin Rodriguez, 35
3. Make friends with the nurses
"Ok sure, the doctor actually gets the baby out but it's the nurses that are around 24/7 on the days leading up to your labour (my gynae only came at the last few minutes of pushing). Those nurses are the ones guiding and reassuring you. So it's them you should get chummy with." - Elizabeth Lim, 33
4. Don't be afraid of the poop
"Fun fact. Pooping actually helps fasten the labour process. So would you rather push for three hours or poop and get the baby out in half an hour? Your call!" - Hanifah, 29
5. Don't be afraid to take a lesson on childbirth
"Half the time or maybe, most of the time, you'll be clueless but trust me, it's better to be clueless in class than in the delivery room." - Amanda Lee, 29
6. Don't rush the epidural
“Get an epidural, but wait until you’re like 5-6 cm dilated to do it when labour is well-progressed.” - Priyanka, 33
7. Don't be afraid to be emotional
"Save the strong front for the years to come. This is the time to cry, scream, yell and everything else that you're capable of." - Diyanah, 30
8. Forget "labour" or "delivery" plans
"I mean, really? In all my years of being alive, nothing ever goes as planned. Be flexible. Take it from my experience. I thought my firstborn was going to be a natural birth and turns out, he came out two months early via emergency C-section!" - Foo Yi Ling, 34
9. Pack your hospital bags early
"Early! Start packing once you're at week 34. Ease the last-minute stress wherever you can. Yes, you'll never know if your baby's going to come out "that" early." - Wan Xin, 28
10. Be inquisitive
“Talk to your doctor in the hospital about signs of postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. You NEED that knowledge." - Hafizah, 27
11. Don't care about what people think
"C-section, vaginal or drug-free, it doesn't matter. Do what suits you and your baby. It’s not a contest." - Siyathma, 29
12. Know what you're in for
"Yes, by that I mean don't think the experience is going to be glamorous or romantic. I mean sure, it's going to be beautiful but are we missing out on the entourage of nudity, puking, pooping, and pain here?" - Naomi Tham, 32
13. Don't sweat over the small stuff
"People ARE going to see you naked and yes, there will be a lot of them. It's all part of the process!" - Cynthia Koh. 30
14. Keep your camera next to you
"It's your first meeting with your bub and it's COMPULSORY to get that on camera. Don't even try to argue with me on this." - Fatin, 31
15. Consider hypnosis
"Hypnosis methods might actually result in unmedicated labour!" - Devi, 29
16. Opt for adult diapers
“Adult diapers for after birth work great. You sleep so well not worrying about bleeding all over everything." - Nasuha, 25
17. Be determined
“Think of the pain as productive. Imagine that each contraction is helping to bring your baby out. It might lead to less pain.” - Kimberly Chua, 36
18. Do research
"Look into home birth, birth centres, hospitals, Pitocin, epidurals, vaccines, doulas, breastfeeding, circumcision, etc. Know the risks and benefits and why it all happens the way it does. KNOW EVERYTHING!" - Maria, 29
19. Be in-charge
"The fastest confidence booster is knowing that you're in charge and in this case, you clearly are. Don't be afraid. unleash that inner diva!" - Lynn, 30
20. Get your mum if you want
"Nothing is more comforting than the touch of a mother's hand. Having your mum there next to you, encouraging you all the way will be one of the best decisions of your life." - Nabilah, 35
21.Be brave
“Fear and anxiety are the worst kinds of an enemy that your mind can hold. Having your body tense up will make labour so much harder. Always remind yourself that this is totally normal, everything will be fine.” - Michelle Goh, 26
Mummies, do you have any useful tips for new mums? Share them with us!
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