Faithe - congrats and no need to get too flustered.
You might want to check out the following URL if you find it hard to consolidate info you find in the forum. There are useful information relating to stages of the pregnancy and what to expect each week including shopping list. There are also articles on how to maintain a healthy pregnancy and diet etc. Personally, I find the site very useful and not too overly cluttered with information.
http://www.babycenter.com.sg
Anyway let me sum it up in a few key areas from personal experience.
1. Pre-natal check-ups - make sure you go for scheduled appointments and do the neccesary tests. Your gynae should be able to take care of you well.
2. Diet and personal health
- Maintain healthy diet and have 5-6 small meals per day to avoid overeating. This is useful esp for mothers who feel bloated or have morning sickness or poor appetite etc.
- As baby grows and tummy gets heavier, try to sleep on your left side to encourage optimal blood circulation to the baby.
-This is also the time where tummy starts to grow rapidly and you'll be shopping for maternity clothes. They are not cheap but you can settle for economical options such as buying empire dresses or loose tunics which you can still use after birth. Cotton on is my fav place to buy cheap and loose fitting garment.
- Around 5-6 months, you should be starting to use maternity bras or alternatively use bras without underwire. This is important to preempt blocked milk duct problems esp when you intend to BF.
3. Shopping
- Baby shopping can start anytime now (5-7 months) since you will not be too heavy and tired to walk around.
- Just do a quick search in this forum and you should be able to find a link to the shopping checklist that other mummies have posted.
- I would recommend getting the big ticket items first as these will take the most effort to shop and compare. i.e. Baby cot, stroller, car seat, bottle steamer.
Baby clothes - can ask for hand-me downs if avail else buy basic 100% cotton materials.
- Where to buy - for baby cots, strollers etc, can try places like baby Hyperstore at Kaki Bukit but personally I find its just the convenience of 1-stop shop, not necc best deals.
Keep a lookout for baby sales at major shopping centres sometimes you can get better deals. E.g. i got an Avent comfort breastpump for only $229 from OG 2 months ago when everywhere was selling 300+.
4. Confinement - book now! Most people book 6 months ahead esp if have recommended CLs. Ask friends for recommendation but if not sure,I would say go through agency for peace of mind but expect to pay more.
Again personally, mums and MILs not the best for confinement esp if they are of older age. They can help with buying food / groceries etc as you dun want your CL to keep going out to do shopping. But seriously mums/ MIL wldnt be able to cope with night feeds and end up the new mummies get stressed. If you can afford, hire a CL.
That's all .. Good luck and enjoy your preg journey!
