Labour and delivery – What to bring to the Hospital.

This article will help you to prepare the essential items that you need to bring to the hospital for your labour and delivery. The preparation should be done when you are about eight months pregnant. Pack the items listed in the list below in a bag and place the bag in a convenient place that is easy for you or your spouse to retrieve it when needed.

The list here is just a suggestion or a guide only, and you may make your own adjustments based on your preference. Decide which items you will need for your labour and birth, the hospital stay, and for the trip home for you and your baby.

For you

  • Pre-admission is required if you have planned for an elective admission for Caesarean delivery. Please bring along these documents on the day of admission. For spontaneous vaginal birth, this is unnecessary and proceed to labour ward whenever you are in labour or need immediate attention during the antenatal period. Additional documents required: identification documents (yours and your spouse) such as identification card or passport (if you are a foreigner). The hospital needs these to issue you the necessary documents for registration of birth.
  • You may visit the delivery room anytime during your antenatal check-up at the hospital. Please ask the hospital staff for the directions to the labour room.
  • Antenatal card or report and other blood test reports (especially if you had your antenatal check-ups elsewhere and not in the hospital that you are planning to deliver)
  • Your birth plan if you have one.
  • Eyeglasses (for those who are wearing contact lenses).
  • Toiletries (Pack a few personal items, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, soap and hair shampoo, facial cleanser, shower cap). Hospitals usually provide soap only, but you might prefer your own. A pre-pack toiletries kit is available for purchase in the hospital if you want it.
  • Bring your own bath towel. The hospital will provide one if you request for it.
  • A box of tissues. Sometimes, a pack of wet tissues can be useful.
  • A sweater, especially for night use as it can be quite cold due to the air-conditioning.
  • A pair of flat, comfortable shoes for walking, a pair of slippers for toilet use and a pair of socks.
  • If you are on specific medications for your illnesses (other than multivitamins), please bring them along.
  • Snacks (crackers, biscuits) and something to read.
  • Comfortable nursing bras or regular bras.
  • Hair tie if you have long hair.
  • The hospital will provide hospital gowns, mesh underwear and sanitary pads while you are here. You may opt to wear your own gowns, underwear, or sanitary pads should you wish to. However, this is only allowed if you are recovering well and are already ambulating on your own.
  • If you are dependent on certain equipment, you can bring it along (such as a walking aid or hearing aid).
  • Charger for your electronic devices.
  • Pen and a notepad – these are useful for you to jot down things that you may want to ask the doctor and to record things that you may need to remember (the do and don’t at home after discharge). You can use an electronic device for this purpose if you prefer.
  • If you are using dentures, please bring the cleaning container.
  • Bring a set of loose-fitting clothes to wear upon discharge.
  • If you have a breast pump, you can bring it along.

For your baby

  • During the stay, the hospital will provide clean baby clothes and diapers. Therefore, these items are not necessary.
  • Make sure you have the appropriate infant car seat installed in your car when you bring the baby home. Have the seat properly installed ahead of time and know how to buckle in your baby correctly.
  • One new set of clothes, including a soft cap, socks or booties is needed for your baby to wear home. A blanket or a large soft towel will be useful for swaddling the baby during transportation.
  • One small pack of disposable nappies

What not to bring

  • Jewelry
  • Infant milk powder, feeding bottles and pacifiers, baby soap/body wash.

Disclaimer

This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is important for readers to seek proper medical advice when necessary.

To print a pdf file, please click HERE

Home Pregnancy Tests

The currently used method to confirm pregnancy depends on the detection of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is present in the blood and urine of a pregnant woman. The hCG hormone is produced by the placenta in increasing amounts within 10 days after fertilization. The home pregnancy test kit detects this hormone in the urine of the pregnant woman.

An absence of a menstrual period in a sexually active female is usually the first reason to do a pregnancy test. Many women may experience some symptoms and signs of pregnancy as early as 5 to 6 weeks after the first day of their last menstrual period, provided she has a regular menstrual cycle.  These may include:

Read more

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a viral infection of the genitals. It is transmitted by sexual activity such as intercourse or oral sex and can affect both sexes (man and woman). Genital herpes is often associated with other sexually transmitted infections. It is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. There are two types of HSV and both can cause genital herpes. HSV type 1 most commonly infects the lips, causing sores, but it also can infect the genital area. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes but can also infect the mouth during oral sex. The lesions can occur in and around the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs. Occasionally, sores also appear on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin.

Read more

Pre-Pregnancy Care for Woman with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Article contributed by Ms Yong Lai Mee

The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among women in childbearing age is increasing. Pre-existing T2DM in pregnancy increased the risk of maternal and neonatal complications such as macrosomia big baby), miscarriage, stillbirth, eclampsia (high blood pressure and its complications), and preterm labour. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the American Diabetes Association emphasized the importance of achieving optimum diabetes control for promoting the well-being of maternal and reduced prenatal fetus and baby adverse outcomes. Below are some tips to achieve optimum pre pregnancy diabetes care.

Blood Glucose Control

  • Keep pre pregnancy HbA1C < 6.5% to avoid complications during pregnancy.
  • Fetal mortality rate increased 4 folds in those with HbA1C >6.6%.
  • Poorly controlled pre pregnancy diabetes increases congenital heart diseases by 3 folds, neural tube defects increase by 4 folds and spontaneous miscarriages in 30-60% of all pregnancies.
  • Plan 4-6 months before pregnancy to ensure diabetes control is within target range.

Read more

Contraception – Male condom

The main purpose of contraception (or birth control) is to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. You should know and understand the different types of methods available to you, the risks and benefits of each, and any possible side effects, so that both you and your partner can able to make an informed choice. Contraception can be broadly divided into:

  1. Temporary or permanent methods – permanent birth control is accomplished through sterilization (tying or removal of the fallopian tubes) or hysterectomy (removal of womb / uterus). The rest of the methods are classified as temporary or reversible.
  2. Short term or long-term methods – short term methods are condoms and oral pills. Long term methods are injectables, intrauterine device and hormonal implants.

Read more

Contraception – Hormonal implant (Implanon)

The main purpose of contraception (or birth control) is to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. You should know and understand the different types of methods available to you, the risks and benefits of each, and any possible side effects so that both you and your partner can able to make an informed choice. Contraception can be broadly divided into:

  1. Temporary or permanent methods – permanent birth control is accomplished through sterilization (tying or removal of the fallopian tubes) or hysterectomy (removal of womb/uterus). The rest of the methods are classified as temporary or reversible.
  2. Short term or long-term methods – short term methods are condoms and oral pills. Long term methods are injectables, intrauterine device and hormonal implants.

Hormone implant currently available is Implanon NXT®. It consists of a single plastic rod measuring 4 cm and contain a progestogen hormone called etonogestrel. Implanon is inserted surgically, just under the skin of the upper arm. The implant will release a minute amount of this hormone every day for 3 years. It works by preventing the monthly ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during your menstrual cycle. It also thickens the vaginal mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg (fertilization). Continuous effect of the hormone will thin out the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. Implanon does not contain any oestrogen.

Read more

Heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn is a term used to describe a burning pain or discomfort in the chest and upper abdomen. The actual medical term for it is gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is quite common for pregnant women to experience the symptoms of heartburn, which usually come and go until delivery. It can start anytime during the pregnancy period and may worsen as the pregnancy progresses (second or third trimester). While it can be uncomfortable or painful, heartburn by itself will not harm the baby.

Symptoms and signs

  • Burning pain in the center of the chest and the upper abdomen, frequently accompanied by an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • Belching (burping).
  • Nausea with or without vomiting.
  • Persistent throat irritation, with or without irritating dry cough.

Read more

Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Dr. William Morton demonstrated the first public administration of ether anaesthesia in the operating theatre of the Massachusetts General Hospital on the 16th October 1846
That day is remembered as a milestone in anaesthesia and celebrated as World Anaesthesia Day.
From that date onward, many progresses have been made in the field of anaesthesia, and more so specifically for the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

On the 16th August 1897, a German surgeon by the name of Dr. August Bier administered the first spinal anaesthetic. Spinal anaesthesia becomes one of the most popular methods of administering a patient pain free from surgery of the lower limbs, lower abdomen and Caesarean sections and is still widely used.

Read more