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Pregnancy can be both beautiful and stressful, but at the same time, you want to make yourself as comfortable as possible and enjoy the pregnancy journey.

If you’re a first-time mother, the idea of welcoming a new family member may be overwhelming, but with some preparation, the task may not be as daunting as it seems. So, to help you prepare for motherhood, here’s a checklist that may come in handy:

Light exercise

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Working out during pregnancy has a lot of benefits, such as treating aches and pains, lifting your mood, accelerating postpartum recovery, and more. It’s recommended for expecting mums to do light exercises for at least 30 minutes or more every day. But make sure you get a green light from your doctor on your exercise plan!

Pamper yourself

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Now is the time to take good care of yourself because you’ll be struggling to find time soon. So book regular appointments to do your hair, nails, body care, massages, and some me-time you’ve been dying to get.

Meal prep

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If you don’t have extra help around the house, you may not have the time to think of what to cook for your small family, at least for the first two weeks or so until you get used to the changes. So prep some meals beforehand and keep ‘em in the freezer. You can also save up some of your favourite food delivery menus and have them on speed dial.

Pack your hospital bag

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You can never be too ready with your hospital bag, so pack your essentials early. You can do so around the 28-week mark or at the beginning of your third trimester, just in case you have an early surprise.

Know when to go to the hospital

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You know your own body best, so consult your doctor on the signs that you should watch out for that may or may not be abnormal. If they are signs that indicate labour, be prepared to drop everything else and go straight to the hospital.

Plan ahead for different scenarios

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Anything can happen during your pregnancy, so discuss with your partner and family on what to do should there be an emergency. For example, you may be alone at home when you go into labour or you could start feeling contractions at three in the morning. 

Prepare a list of emergency contacts

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That’s when your emergency contacts will come in handy, so make sure that all the necessary numbers are on speed dial as well.

Have a delivery plan

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There are a number of things to think about before going into labour. For example, who you want in the delivery room with you, any pain relief you want, preferred delivery method, what’s your ideal environment, do you want to document your delivery, etc. The earlier you know, the better!

Of course, these are just some of the many preparations you need to do as parents-to-be. So to help you understand your pregnancy journey better, download the Enfamama A+ Club All-In-One app for more tips, and to track your pregnancy and fetal development.

You and your husband can also join the Enfamama A+ Club and enjoy up to RM900 worth of vouchers and gifts! For more info, click here.