About your pregnancy

How do I plan for my pregnancy?

If you are planning to get pregnant, it is recommended that you:

• Take folic acid supplements from the time you start trying to conceive until you are 12 weeks pregnant.
• Ensure that your overall lifestyle is healthy, to give yourself and your baby the best start.
• Give up smoking and alcohol – it is the best thing you can do for your and your baby’s health.
• Eat well to get the right balance of vitamins and mineral, whilst keeping your body weight in control.
• Stay physically active – aim to exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes every day. This can help reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and excessive weight gain during your pregnancy.

If you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or on any regular medication, speak to your doctor for help and advice.

If you think you are pregnant, please contact your doctor at the polyclinic, family clinic or contact KKH to arrange for your first appointment.

What care do I need during pregnancy?

Antenatal clinic visits

Antenatal care is the care you receive from healthcare professionals during your pregnancy. You will be given a series of clinic appointments to check on your and your baby’s health. In a healthy woman, you will get around 8 to 10 clinic visits throughout your pregnancy. Your blood pressure will be taken and a urine specimen is required at every antenatal appointment. These tests help to detect problems such as pre-eclampsia (a high blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy).

Scans and tests

During your pregnancy, you will be offered routine scans and tests to check for certain conditions or infections. Your doctor will explain the purpose of any tests you are offered. It is important to keep in mind that no test is 100% accurate.

Vaccinations in pregnancy

There are two important vaccinations that we strongly advise you to have during pregnancy, to protect your baby, as well as yourself:

1. The flu (influenza) vaccine is the most effective way to get protected against flu, and it can be safely given at any point in your pregnancy. Flu is a serious illness that can lead to complications for mothers and babies and is more dangerous if you get it when you are pregnant.
2. Having the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine from 16 weeks to 32 weeks into your pregnancy, will help protect your baby. Whooping cough is a serious respiratory illness that can cause deaths in newborn babies.

Speak to your doctor about getting these vaccinations during your pregnancy.

Cord blood banking / donation

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord following the birth of your baby. It is rich in blood stem cells, that can be used to treat many different cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, immune deficiencies and genetic disorders.

Following the birth of your baby, your placenta is normally thrown away along with the cord blood that is in it. You can opt to donate your cord blood to the Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB) or store it for your family through the Community Banking at SCBB or at a private cord blood bank. For more information, click here.

Antenatal packages for private patients

Consider specially-designed antenatal packages to help you plan ahead and enjoy fuss-free visits throughout your pregnancy journey. For more information, click here.

KKH Antenatal Programme

This programme is designed to better prepare you and your partner as you complete your pregnancy and embark on your journey to parenthood. This programme highlights topics such as labour and delivery, breastfeeding, newborn care and "Nurturing your Child". To sign up for the next available session, please click here.

Complimentary breastfeeding class for KKH patients

KKH is an accredited baby-friendly hospital under the World Health Organisation’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and we are committed to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. All KKH patients are eligible to sign up for a complimentary breastfeeding class at our Patient Education Centre. Speak to your doctor or any clinic staff for more information.

What do I need to prepare for my delivery?

Gather information about admission and delivery

Delivery packages are available for private patients. Click here for more information.

Financial counselling and information about estimated delivery and hospitalisation bill can be obtained at the Admissions Office located at Level 1, Women’s Tower or online via the Admissions Buddy Portal at www.singhealth.com.sg/AB with your SingPass.

Information about Medisave Maternity Package (MMP) is available here.

Checklist of things to bring for your delivery and admission

The following will be provided for mothers and babies in the wards:

* Unused items may be brought home

You may wish to pack the following personal items in your hospital bag to prepare for your discharge:

• Room slippers
• Cardigan
• Mobile phone and charger
• Personal toiletries, make-up, hair accessories, glasses/contact lens
• Nursing bras and breast pads
• Going-home outfit for you and baby (two sets in case baby spits up) – baby clothes, mittens, booties, beanie and swaddle / wrapping blanket
• Car seat for baby

Documents you will need to bring for your delivery:

• Appointment booklet
• Admissions folder (if package/room is selected)
• Identity card / passport

What are the signs of labour and when do I need to seek medical help?

Signs of labour:

• Strong and regular contractions
  
• Blood-stained mucus discharge from the vagina / "show"
• Sudden gush or continuous trickle of clear fluid from the vagina (“waterbag” rupture)

Medical concerns:

• Your baby is moving less than usual
• Vaginal bleeding
• Fever
• Severe headaches / changes in vision or abdominal pain

If you encounter any of the symptoms above, please proceed to:

• Delivery Suite (Level 2, Women’s Tower) if you are 22 weeks or more into your pregnancy, or
• Urgent O&G Centre (Basement 1, Women’s Tower) if you are less than 22 weeks into your pregnancy.

Useful links:

• Pregnancy Care During Pregnancy
• Pregnancy and Your Diet
• Pregnancy Prenatal Supplements
• Management of Gestational Diabetes
• Pregnancy Discomforts
• Pregnancy Count To Ten Fetal Movement Chart
• Pregnancy Week 1 – 40: A Complete Guide by KKH
• Cord Blood Donation