This list from Shape Singapore is a great guide

• Letter from your Gynaecologist
• Hospital admission form
• Identity cards of Dad and Mum
• Original Marriage Certificate (if you intend to register Baby’s name at the hospital. Otherwise, you have 42 days to do so at ICA)

• Pack of maternity or heavy-flow pads
• Pack of disposable undies
• Couple of nursing bras
• Pack of breast pads
• Nipple cream
• Breast pump to help with lactation
• Nursing pillow (especially helpful after a C-section)
• Mobile charger
• A set of clothing for when it’s time to head home!

• Clothing for Baby to wear when going home. Onesies are provided by the hospital during his/her stay
• Set of mittens and booties
• Swaddle blanket
• Handkerchiefs
• Baby cap
• Newborn diapers (also provided by the hospital and usually included in the bill)
• Nursing bib (in case you need to feed Baby on the way home)
• Rear-facing car seat

• Mobile, camera and/or camcorder with full batteries (don’t forget the chargers)
• Snacks and drinks for sustenance, and cheering Mum on
• Books or iPad for pre-delivery entertainment
• Change of clothes and toiletries (if you’re staying overnight)

There are a million and one things to prepare before the baby comes. From the swaddles and cot right down to the bottle sterilising unit. Motherswork has a comprehensive list that shows you all the things you could possibly need to welcome the newest member of your family.

Once you’re back from the hospital, you’ll be hectic enough with the baby without thinking about meals. If you’re not one for the kitchen or find yourself hard-pressed for time, it might be a good idea now to decide on a list of places you can order delivery from for fuss-free meal times. Alternatively, confinement food catering is fast gaining popularity in Singapore. Nutritious and convenient, there is bound to be something for everyone. 

Chilli Padi, NannySOS, Nouriche, Tianwei, Ummu Fazwill, Yue Zi Le

Having a child presents its own set of joys and frustrations for the family unit. Protect yourself and your baby from the time of expectancy up to 6 years of age. Newborns are provided full coverage without exclusions simply because they have no history of illness. What better time than now to purchase insurance for your little bundle of joy?

AIA, AXA, Great Eastern, Manulife, NTUC Income, Prudential

Giving birth is one of the biggest biological milestones a woman can have in her life. Keep a diary to document your feelings and the changes on this journey. Your body transforms in ways beautiful and unimaginable but some red flags to look out for are incontinence, diastasis recti and pelvic girdle pain.

Incontinence : incontinence occurs when the pelvic floor muscles are weakened and are unable to support bladder and bowel control. Leakage can occur with physical exertion such as laughing, sneezing, coughing or sexual activity. 

Diastasis recti: diastasis recti is a partial or complete separation of the left and right abdominal muscles. This condition is very common during or after pregnancy and is caused by hormonal changes and the pressure of a growing baby pushing the abdominal muscles out of place.

Pelvic girdle pain: a pain in the front and/or the back of your pelvis that can radiate across the hip joint and thigh bones. This is often caused by misalignment or stiffness of your pelvic joints during pregnancy but can continue well after delivery.