Prenatal Care

*Check whether the maternity ward has a list of the items you will need.

Items for hospital stay

In a normal, uncomplicated labour and delivery, the use of medication is not always necessary. Your own resources are often enough.

As labour starts, a mother’s mood changes and she becomes less aware of what is happening outside her body, and more aware of what is happening inside her body.

Physical changes

Clothing

The following signs of labour may occur in any order.
1. Progressive contractions

Physical changes

Regular prenatal care is most important if you are carrying more than one baby, as the risk to you and your babies is higher.

The experience of childbirth and parenthood is an unknown adventure, which results in major changes to your life. 

Your pregnancy: weeks 1-4 – the start of your first trimester. The first signs of pregnancy may be very visible… or not at all.

Your health, and the growth and development of your baby, must be closely monitored. 

Sharing the adventure of pregnancy, birth and parenting can make this one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

A birth plan or wish list is not a set of commands and demands, and certainly not a contract.

During the first stage, also known as the dilation stage, your cervix will dilate and efface from 0–10 cm.

Preparing for your prenatal appointments is important. Find out our prenatal checklist, so you can ask the right questions to your healthcare provider.

Older siblings learn about sharing, life-long love and friendship.

A Caesarean birth is the delivery of your baby through an abdominal uterine incision, instead of vaginally.