Your Pregnancy Journey From Planning to Parenthood

QUICK LINKS

→ Pre-Pregnancy (3–6 months before)

→ First Trimester (Weeks 0–14)

→ Second Trimester (Weeks 15–28)

→ Third Trimester (Weeks 29–40+)

→ Delivery Day & What to Expect

→ Postnatal Recovery (First 6 weeks)

Pre-Pregnancy Building the Best Foundation

(3–6 Months Before Trying)

The healthiest pregnancies often begin months before a positive test. Giving your body time to prepare reduces risks and helps everything start smoothly.

Pre-pregnancy counselling
with your doctor

Key Steps Include:

Optimising any existing
conditions

(e.g., diabetes, thyroid, high blood pressure)

Dental check-up

(gum health matters more than you think)

STI screening or genetic carrier testing if relevant

Lifestyle changes that make a big difference

• Stop smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs completely

• Limit caffeine to 200 mg/day (about 1–2 cups of coffee)

• Eat nutrient-rich meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein

• Exercise regularly (aim for 150 minutes

  of moderate activity per week)

• Track ovulation if you want to

  conceive soon

Supplements &
Protection

• Start folic acid (400 mcg daily, higher dose if having risk factors) at least 3 months before

• Check immunity for rubella, chickenpox, COVID-19, and flu – update vaccines as needed

• Discuss any current medications

  with your doctor (some like retinoids, certain blood pressure drugs, or anti-seizure medicines need safe alternatives)

If you have irregular periods, severe pelvic pain, or known fertility concerns,
come in early – we can help sooner

First Trimester

The Quiet, Crucial Beginning

These early weeks are full of rapid changes – and early care makes all the difference.

Confirm the pregnancy is in the right place (rule out ectopic)

What Happends

Accurate dating scan

Antenatal blood tests, NIPT (if chosen), First trimester screening - includes - pre-eclampsia screening, Nuchal translucency (NT) scan.

* Continue folic acid until week 12, then review whether to add low-dose aspirin and vitamin D if indicated.

Check fetal heart activity (usually visible by 6–7 weeks)

By Weeks:

First antenatal visit, routine exam, start folic acid

5-10 weeks

11-14 weeks

0-14
weeks

Second Trimester

Feeling the Glow

Often called the “honeymoon phase” – energy returns, nausea fades, and you start to feel baby move.

Key ultrasounds & checks:

Gender (if visible and desired)

16 weeks

15-28
weeks

18-22 weeks

Detailed anomaly scan checks baby’s organs and development)

24-28 weeks

Growth scan, amniotic fluid check, placenta position

Important Actions

• Oral glucose tolerance test

  (screen for gestational diabetes)

• Dental check-up

• Influenza vaccine

• Tdap vaccine (protects baby from whooping cough)

• Haemoglobin check

Nutrition Boost

• Add DHA (for brain development)

• Iron tablets

• Calcium from week 20 (if needed)

• Extra ~340 calories/day

Third Trimester

Getting Ready for Birth

Baby is growing fast, and your body is preparing for labour.

Growth, fluid, placenta check (± 3D/4D)

28-32 weeks

29-40+
weeks

32-37 weeks

Growth, estimated fetal weight, Doppler if needed

To-Dos

• Haemoglobin check

• Tdap vaccines (27weeks)

• RSV vaccines (32 weeks)

• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening - if needed

• Perineal massage (from 34 weeks – helps reduce tearing)

• Discuss birth plan, pain relief options, and delivery timing

Nutrition & Comfort

• Continue DHA, iron, calcium, vitamin D

• Extra ~450 calories/day

• Gentle movement, hydration, rest

Delivery Day

What to Expect

Delivery is when you finally meet your baby. Most births happen vaginally (normal delivery), but a Caesarean section (C-section) may be needed or planned for safety. Your care team will guide you every step

Vaginal Delivery
(Normal Delivery)

Vaginal delivery is the birth of a baby through the vagina following labor, with the uterus contracting to help deliver the baby.

Instrumental Delivery

Sometimes assistance is needed using vacuum extraction or forceps, usually during the second stage if progress is slow or there are fetal concerns.

[NOTE] In some cases, it may be necessary to convert to an emergency C-section (EMLSCS)

First Stage – Labor:

Latent phase:
Early contractions cause gradual cervical thinning and opening up to ~4–6 cm. This phase can last many hours.

Active phase:
Stronger, frequent contractions (about 4 in 10 minutes) open the cervix from ~4–6 cm to 10 cm, typically at a rate of ~1 cm per hour.

Second Stage

Pushing and Birth: You actively push to move the baby through the birth canal. This usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours.

Third Stage

Placenta Delivery: The placenta is expelled, usually within 5–30 minutes after birth.

Caesarean Delivery
(C-Section)

The baby is delivered through an incision in your abdomen and uterus. It can be planned (elective) or done in an emergency.

Experience: You are awake (using spinal/epidural anesthetic) and feel pressure, but no pain

Duration: The procedure typically takes 40–60 minutes.

Pain Relief Choices

You have options to manage
comfort throughout the process:

Natural Methods:

Breathing techniques,
movement, and massage.

Medical Options:

Gas (Entonox), injections,
or an epidural.

When Should You Go to the Hospital?

Go to the hospital if you have:

• Regular, painful contractions

• Leaking liquor (water breaking)

• Bloody show

• Reduced or no fetal movement

When in doubt, check it out.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE
About Hospital bag checklist

Postnatal Recovery
Caring for Yourself After Birth

The first weeks are for healing, bonding, and adjusting.

Postnatal check-ups focus on

• Wound healing (if caesarean or episiotomy)

• Physical & emotional well-being

• Breastfeeding support

• Contraception options

• Pelvic floor exercises

When to seek urgent help

Heavy bleeding
or large clots

Foul-smelling
discharge

Fever

Severe breast
pain/redness

Leg pain/swelling

Persistent low
mood or anxiety

CLICK TO LEARN MORE
About Contraception

Plan ahead aim for at least a
2-year gap before the next pregnancy for full recovery.