Labour and delivery – What to bring to the Hospital.

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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.

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Nausea & vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) (Morning Sickness in Pregnancy)

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This is common in the first three months of pregnancy and occurs in 50% to 80% of pregnant women. The symptoms often occur in the morning (from 6-9 am) but may occur at any time during the day. The impact and severity of the nausea and vomiting is different for each woman.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

It ranges from mild to severe nausea with or without vomiting. This is usually during the first 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. It may continue longer, and for a few women, may last throughout pregnancy. By the end of the third month, most symptoms will resolve in the majority of women. The symptoms are more severe in those with multiple pregnancy or molar pregnancy.

CAUSES

The exact causes of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are unknown. Nausea may result from rising levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (pregnancy hormone) in the blood or other hormonal changes that take place to permit normal growth of the fetus.

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Progestogen-only Injectable (POI) Contraception

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Progestogen-only injectable contraception is a hormonal type of contraception that is given through an injection. It contains a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, known as progestin or progestogen. They provide protection against pregnancy for up to 8 to 14 weeks.

Types

  • Medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)
  • Norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN)

Mechanism of action

  • This hormone works primarily by suppressing ovulation (preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries).
  • It also thickens cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
  • It can thin out the uterine lining, making it less suitable for the development of the fertilized egg.

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Progestogen only pill (POPs)

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This type of pill does not contain oestrogen and the dose of progestogen is significantly lower than in those used in combined oral contraceptive pills (COC). It is also called the “mini-pill” and is useful for women who do not want pills that contain oestrogen or in situations where the oestrogen is not suitable for medical reasons. They are a highly effective method of birth control when taken correctly.

Formulation – Available formulations are:

  • Norethisterone 350 ug (NET) – (Noriday)
  • Levonorgestrel (LNG) 30 μg
  • Desogestrel (DSG) 75 μg – (Cerazette)

Levonorgestrel (LNG) and norethisterone (NET) are grouped as “traditional’ POPs”

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Wisdom versus Intelligence

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Article contributed by Dr Ong Tien Kwan (Klinik Ong)

A wise action – whether through bodily action, verbal action or mental action – is an act that is beneficial to the doer, the recipient and the community. For example, an act of generosity is a wise action because it brings benefits to the doer, the recipient and the community. A wise person is one who acts wisely.

In contrast, a foolish action is one that is harmful to oneself, to others and to the community. For example, a raging (angry) action brings harm to oneself, to others and to the community. A fool is one who thinks that his or her foolish action is beneficial to himself or herself, when in fact, it is not. Often, this is because he or she is only able to see the short-term gain but unable to see the long-term loss.

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Admission for surgery – what to bring to the Hospital

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This article will help you to prepare the essential items that you need to bring to the hospital for your admission. The list here is just a suggestion or a guide only, and you may make your own adjustment, based on your own preference. Decide which items you will need for a comfortable stay and recovery. However, you should not over-pack so as to inconvenience everyone, including yourself during your admission or discharge. The items will also depend on the expected length of stay in the hospital.

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Bartholin glands disorders (Bartholin cyst / Bartholin abscess)

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The Bartholin gland is located on either side of the vaginal opening, on the inner aspect at about 5 and 7 o’clock position. The glands secrete a fluid (mucus) that keeps the vagina moist and helps lubricate the vaginal area during sexual activity. The gland is not visible or palpable unless it is swollen.

Common disorders of the Bartholin glands are:

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Home Pregnancy Tests

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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:

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