Frankly, being a first time mummy, I was at a loss of what I should and things to buy.... Despite asking around for tips from friends, colleagues and my dear sister, I still ended up, purchasing many stuff that weren't really necessary on hindsight.
Hmmm... thought i'll share some of my personal experiences / tips for the new mummies-to-be...:-
FIRST TRIMESTER
1. Keep all your killer heels. Invest in a few pairs of good & comfortable flats/pumps. But don’t buy too many pumps in the first trimester as your feets are likely to swell towards the later stages of your pregnancy.
2. As your milk duct is starting to develop from the time you are expecting, avoid underwire bras. Consider getting nursing bra (instead of maternity bras). I personally would suggest that you skip maternity bra since you could continue using nursing bra after childbirth.
3. Buy a few bra extension hooks. (You can find cheap ones in places like This Fashion which cost no more than $3). This will be useful as your bra size will gradually increase from this stage onwards.
4. Start using stretchmark cream to avoid getting ugly stretchmarks. One good brand is Galenic. Look out for periodic discount, like 2 tubes for the price of one at Guardian or Robinsons.
5. Avoid eating peanuts as some foetus may be allergic to peanuts. You should also start taking calcium tablets or folic acid. Your doctor would advise you on this.
6. Decide if you would want to store your baby’s cord-blood. Check out Cordlife, StemCord or public cord bank. Keep a lookout for promotion/roadshows and sign up when a good deal comes along, from second trimester onwards.
SECOND TRIMESTER
7. By this stage, baby is more stable and tummy is starting to show, as such, you could be starting to look for maternity clothes. Instead of buying maternity clothes, consider getting larger size clothes as maternity wears are generally more expensive. Further, you may still be able to wear the larger size clothes after giving birth.
8. Your second trimester could be easiest stage as morning sickness may not be as bad now, and you are generally not that tired. I would strongly advise that if you can, plan your buying list and purchase what you would need during this stage. Don’t push it to the third trimester as you would most likely be tired and suffering from backaches and swollen feet in your third trimester.
9. If any of your relatives/friends intend to pass you hand-me-down, try to get it from them during your second trimester so that you can plan your buying list.
10. Think about your arrangement for confinement. If need be, arrange for confinement lady during this stage.
THIRD TRIMESTER
11. Consider signing up for prenatal courses to prep you on what to expect and what to do/not to do. Do so in the start of the third trimester. If you start the course too early, you might forget what you have learnt when you come to the end of your pregnancy.
12. Some woman start eating on tonics, like ginseng and bird nest from the start of the third trimester.
13. Drink coconut juice (maybe like once a week) 2-3 weeks before your Expected Due Date.
14. You may want to get ready tonics (e.g. cordyceps, ginseng, wine) for confinement in the middle of third trimester. For stuff like dried longan, wolfberries, red dates, etc, which are quite easily available, you can get it when you have delivered. This will also ensure that the freshness of these items.
15. Where possible, do your pre-hospital admission in advance so that you would not h4ve to complete administrative forms when you are in labour.
16. Pack your hospital bag 3 weeks before EDD. (I am really kiasu, i know).
17. Remember to wash hand-me-down baby clothes 3-4 weeks before EDD.
18. Last and most importantly, rest as much as possible, because your sleepless nights would start when your baby arrives.
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