By Dr Lee Le Ye
Welcoming a newborn into the world is one of life’s most memorable experiences. Whether you are preparing for your first baby or adding another little one to your family, childbirth can bring a mixture of excitement, anticipation and anxiety.
Every baby is unique. Some adapt quickly to life outside the womb, while others may require additional medical attention during their first few hours or days.
Understanding what happens before, during and after delivery can help parents feel more confident and prepared for their baby’s arrival.
At Petite Practice, we believe that informed parents are better equipped to navigate the early days of parenthood. This guide explains how to prepare for delivery, what happens immediately after birth, and the essential medical care and screening your newborn will receive before going home.
1. Preparing for Your Baby’s Arrival: The Final 8 Weeks
The final weeks of pregnancy are an important time to prepare for a safe delivery and a smooth transition into parenthood.
Essential Medical Preparations
Maternal Vaccinations
Ensure that your recommended vaccinations during pregnancy are up to date. Vaccinations such as influenza, pertussis (whooping cough) and other vaccines recommended by your obstetrician can help protect both mother and baby against potentially serious infections.
Antenatal Blood Tests and Screening
Your obstetrician will review your antenatal screening results, including tests for anaemia and infectious conditions such as hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis.
Identifying these conditions before delivery allows the medical team to plan appropriate care for your newborn. Certain maternal infections may require medication for the baby or specific precautions during delivery.
Third-Trimester Growth Scan
An ultrasound scan during the third trimester, when clinically indicated, helps assess your baby’s growth, position and well-being.
This information allows your obstetrician and neonatal care team to anticipate any potential complications and plan the safest approach to delivery.
Managing Maternal Medical Conditions
Conditions such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid disorders should be carefully monitored and managed throughout pregnancy.
Good control of these conditions reduces the risk of complications for both mother and baby.
For example, babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may require additional blood glucose monitoring after birth.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening
Your obstetrician may recommend a vaginal and rectal swab for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in late pregnancy.
GBS is a bacterium that can be carried without causing symptoms in the mother but may occasionally cause serious infections in newborns.
If screening indicates that you are carrying GBS, antibiotics during labour may be recommended to reduce the risk of transmission to your baby.
Continue Your Antenatal Appointments
Antenatal visits generally become more frequent as your due date approaches.
These appointments allow your obstetrician to monitor your baby’s growth, movements and position while checking for signs of complications.
Although most babies are born at term, approximately 1 in 10 babies worldwide is born prematurely, before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.
Recognising early signs of labour is therefore particularly important.
2. Planning for a Comfortable and Safe Delivery
Create Your Birth Plan
A birth plan helps communicate your preferences to your obstetrician and delivery team.
Consider discussing:
- Your preferred methods of pain relief, including epidural anaesthesia
- Preferred birthing positions
- Whether your partner or another support person will be present
- Your preferences for skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding
- Your wishes regarding newborn care immediately after delivery
Remember that childbirth can be unpredictable. Your birth plan may need to change depending on the medical needs of you and your baby.
For mothers who have delivered previously, labour may progress more quickly than during their first pregnancy.
Partners should also make arrangements to be available around the expected delivery date.
Complete Your Hospital Registration
Pre-registering with your chosen maternity hospital can make the admission process smoother when labour begins.
In Singapore, some private hospitals offer online maternity registration and digital admission services.
If you intend to engage a confinement nanny or stay at a postnatal confinement centre, it is advisable to confirm your arrangements well before your expected delivery date.
Attend Antenatal and Breastfeeding Classes
Antenatal education can help parents understand what to expect during labour and the early newborn period.
Useful classes include childbirth preparation, breathing and relaxation techniques, breastfeeding education, newborn handling and basic infant care.
A consultation with a lactation consultant can also help expectant mothers prepare for breastfeeding.
Review Your Financial Arrangements
Check your maternity insurance coverage, hospital delivery package and eligibility for MediSave claims.
Some maternity insurance plans provide coverage for selected pregnancy complications or congenital conditions, depending on the policy.
Understanding your coverage beforehand can help minimise unexpected financial concerns.
3. Physical and Emotional Preparation for Labour
Labour can last several hours, particularly for first-time mothers. Preparing physically and emotionally may help you cope better with the experi