Hi, I'm due on 14 Jun, this is my 2nd child. Found it hard to follow this forum, cos there are so many posts everyday. I'm quite happy to have baby stay inside for as long as possible, cos I personally find pregnancy was the easiest part, taking care of baby was 10 times more exhausting. Most of my friends who have babies agree with me. When I had my 1st child, I was impatient for him to come out soon cos I also had a lot of regular contractions in last 4 wks. In the end, he was late, came out at 40wks + 3dys at 3.5kg, natural (so girls, don't worry too much abt baby being too big, I managed to deliver my 3.5kg boy!). My Dr didn't want to induce until past due date because he said it's better for baby to be born more well developed, less jaundice etc (my son had v mild jaundice only).
Grace,
I had my first child while in USA, no help apart from my hubby for first 6 months until we came back to Singapore. Hubby did exactly what your hubby is thinking of doing. He cooked in the morning before leaving the house, come back and help me bathe baby. He didn't really cook traditional confinement food, just make sure everyday got nutritious soup and food (his cooking quite good, does your hubby normally cook?). I was ok with it because I don't really like those chinese herbs and don't really believe in following confinement practices.
It was very tough for both of us, but possible if you don't have too high expectations and don't feel resentful when you're v tired. E.g. Hubby slept in a different room at night so that he could still work the next day, I did all the "night duty" alone and it was really exhausting. I also had v v sore nipples for 1st 2-3 weeks. Everytime he latch was excruciating, so had to do alternate pumping for 1st 2 weeks even at night, which meant I also had to wash and sterilize bottles and pump after putting baby back to sleep. Basically, I barely slept at night in the first few months.
I don't want to scare you, but it's not easy to be a 1st time mum & dad, you don't want to end up with post-natal blues or quarreling with hubby over baby.