Image credit: Mothers Circle
Have fun during your pregnancy! It might sound counterintuitive, what with “fun” and “pregnancy” being used in the same line, but there are things that you can only experience while you’re pregnant! Make the most of your time pregnant (but in a safe way) and you’ll look back on it with fond memories.
Let us give you some ideas on the simple pleasures of pregnant life to help you feel as comfortable as possible throughout those 9 months!
1. PHOTOS!
It goes without saying in our photography obsessed world now… but take lots and lots of photos! It’ll be a bit hard when you’re not feeling your best, but trust me, your future self will be thanking you for documenting your pregnancy!
You can choose to do a weekly, monthly, or trimester-ly shoot – I suggest doing it weekly if you wish to best capture the changes you’re going through.
Here are some things to consider when doing a shoot at home:
1. Pick a pose and stick with it for consistency’s sake, plus it’ll look pretty cool when you do a timeline (here’s a cute example of a timeline) – one of the most common poses that shows off your progress is a side view
2. Look for an area in your home that’s got good natural lighting with a simple backdrop (plain walls or long curtains do well)
3. Show off your bump! Lift up that top and let your bump breathe
4. Make it a habit and routine – choose a day of the week and make it your photo day, creating a habit out of it will ensure that you’ll see this project to its end
An added bonus of doing photography is learning how to properly edit those photos that you took! Keep to a central theme for your photos, for example if you want them to be black and white, make the others be black and white too for consistency.
2. Keeping the Flame Alive
It may not be easy to bring romance to the table as you’ll be dealing with morning sickness in the first few months of pregnancy, and it’ll definitely take a lot more effort from both of you, but keeping romance going is something that’ll benefit you two in the long run!
Plan a date night with your significant other once every two weeks – get out of the house and watch a movie, have dinner alfresco style along Boat Quay, or stay home, get some microwaveable popcorn plus ice-cream, and watch some movies that you two watched way back when you started out dating (nostalgia power!).
It doesn’t even have to be a date night – a date day (afternoon?) with a picnic out at the East or West Coast beaches, or even at Sentosa, will do you wonders. Break the monotony of rigid schedules, and get to know yourselves once more.
3. Go On a Babymoon
This ties in with the above point – being parents of a newborn means that you won’t really have a lot of time to yourselves, so you should enjoy a final… CHILD-FREE holiday if you can! Try to plan your trip during your 2nd trimester, as it’s hopefully after your morning sickness and before you’re too ache-y and tired to travel during your 3rd.
Pick a place that’s nice and relaxing, one that both you and your partner are happy with visiting. Regardless of how good you feel, try not to get a flight that’s too long because you’ll definitely get uncomfortable on longer flights. On flights, make sure you move around every hour to help you with circulation and lessen the risk of getting blood clots.
Always check with your ob-gyn and get a green light from them before you go on a trip during your pregnancy.
4. Go Shopping (For Yourself)
Plan a shopping trip with your mum, your MIL (to deepen your bonds and relationship with her, throw her some compliments here and there), or your besties. Focus on yourself, get some fancy maternity wear, sexy new maternity lingerie, cosmetics that are safe for pregnant use, comfy shoes or footwear, and whatever else you need!
5. Be a Queen
Being pregnant is somewhat of a free pass on things that you can do and favours that you can ask from others, but remember: “with great power, there must also come great responsibility”.
Exercise your pregnancy powers in moderation, lest you annoy your loved ones to no end.
With that said, you can take all the guilt-free naps and eat all the ice-cream (unless you’re lactose intolerant) that you want! Visit a spa, get a pre-natal massage, give your hands and feet a treat with a manipedi, get the full royal treatment but remember to be a just and kind queen at the end of the day!
6. Bond With Your Parents
They know what you’re going through, because they’ve been through the exact same thing – and it’s great for them, and especially your mum, to share the experience that they’ve went through. It’ll definitely bring you closer, you’ll get some much needed insight as to what comes after baby is born, and it’ll allow them to reminisce about their memories when you were young.
Our parents are the ones who helped us become who we are today, in one way or another, and we’ll only learn to appreciate them more for what did for us.
7. Involve Your Partner
Sometimes, your partner wants to help out, but they don’t really know how to – so it’s up to you to help guide them along. Ask them along when you’re heading for your ob-gyn appointments, let them know what you need (regardless of whether it’s a foot or shoulder rub or some time alone), get them to attend prenatal classes with you – it’s all for helping them to get a better understanding of what you’re going through.
Let them know that you appreciate what they’ve been doing for you, because sometimes we tend to forget to let our loved ones know that; verbalise your gratitude because communication is important!
8. Be More Forgiving (Of Others and Yourself)
I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed, but there’s a lot going in your body. There’s a new life that’s growing in you, your hormones are all over the place, you’re hungry but your appetite’s being messed with by nausea, you’re getting rashes in places you never knew you could get rashes in, your growing belly needs constant moisturising and scratching, and that’s just the tip of the pregnancy iceberg.
So take it easy (yeah I know it’s easier said than done), because stress is bad for both you and baby! Look on the brighter side of things, focus on the positives that you’re going through – forgive yourself for the things you say, do, or feel, and forgive others for the things that they do to annoy you because it’s usually never on purpose.
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One of the main reasons babymoons are popular is because it’s one of the final times that couples are able to go on a trip by themselves (at least for the immediate future)!
Once baby arrives, there are a ton of new factors to consider when going on a vacay with them – will they like the food, is the weather bad for them, flu vaccinations, public and private transport, etc.
You probably won’t be able to experience a romantic trip with just the two of you for a long, long time, at least until baby’s progressed to late toddlerhood or their early teens. So grab this opportunity to reconnect with each other before baby’s around, because things will get a lot more hectic than you think!
But First, Go See Your Doctor
It’s extremely important to pay your doctor a visit and get an ‘all clear’ for both you and baby to travel. Let them know where you’re going, how you’re getting there (airplanes, cruises), and what the weather’s like during your trip. They’ll advise you on whether it’s a good idea to go ahead with the trip, and give you pointers on the do’s and don’ts of your trip.
It is also recommended to get a memo from your gynae to state that you are fit to travel. Carry that memo with you everywhere, especially when you’re at the airport! Some airlines might ask you for a doctor’s note if you look ‘too pregnant’ at that point of time. We’ll touch on this in detail below, read on!
The best time for a babymoon would be during your 2nd trimester, after all that business with morning sickness is over with and you’re slightly more energised.
Airline and Cruise Policies For Expectant Mums
Here’s something that you might’ve not known about, and it’s extremely important for pregnant mums who are planning to do a babymoon – airlines and cruises are able to turn you down if you’re past a certain week during your pregnancy.
Here are the general policies for expectant mums on airlines:
And here are the general policies for expectant mums on cruises:
Please do check with your chosen airline or cruise what their specific policies are regarding expectant mums, and plan accordingly!
Some General Guidelines For Your Babymoon
Travel Tips For Pregnant Moms
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Image credit: Lonely Planet
As discussed in the previous article , the best time to travel when you’re preggers is around the 20 – 24 week mark! If you’re leaving on a jetplane before 28 weeks, a medical certificate usually isn’t required to prove that you’re fit for travel.
Here are some suggestions (and favourite travel destinations) from us:
For Seekers Of Pure Relaxation
Image credit: Cebu Tours
Cebu Island, Philippines
The most popular tourist destination in the south of Philippines, it’s home to a bustling, metropolitan city and beautiful, world-class beach resorts. Enjoy their pristine beaches while lying back on a beach chair, reading a book, and feeling the warm breeze breathe some much needed energy into your body! Cebu Island’s weather is very much like Singapore’s – tropical and humid throughout the whole year.
If you’re up for some light travel (don’t overexert yourself and make sure to stay hydrated if you do travel!), you can check out some sights in Cebu City and nearby islands such as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, which is the first ever church that was built in the Philippines in 1565, and was burnt down thrice before the current church was built in 1737 (thanks lonely planet, for the history lesson!).
When to visit Cebu?
Best weather: From December to March, where it’s the coolest and least humid.
Months with the most tourists (2016): November to February saw the most amount of tourists, with a peak of 576,638 in December. July also saw 560,872 tourists, a big jump from 459,138 in June.
Months with the least tourists (2016): From April to June, and September to October were the least number of tourists, with a low of 422,943 in September.
Statistics taken from http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/industryperformance.aspx
For more information on things to do in Cebu, go here.
Image credit: Travel Zom
Bali, Indonesia
Bali doesn’t really need that much of an introduction, because it’s the standard, go-to destination for Singaporean vacationers who’re looking for a fun and relaxing getaway from the grind!
For expectant mums, stay away from the more hectic and touristy parts and instead, turn your gaze to the multitude of relaxing and rejuvenating resorts in the quieter and more chill areas of the island.
When to visit Bali?
Best weather: April to September is Bali’s dry season!
Months with the most tourists (2016): June to December (except November), with a peak of 484,231 in July.
Months with the least tourists (2016): January to May, with a low of 350,592 in January. November saw a dip in tourism between October and December, with 413,232 tourists.
Statistics taken from http://www.disparda.baliprov.go.id/en/Statistics2
For more information on things to do in Bali (even though we go there so often, you never know… your perspective might be different during your pregnancy!), go here.
Continue reading on Page 2 for more Babymoon destinations...
For Seekers Of Something New
Image credit: ExploreLanka
Sri Lanka
Psst, now this is a beautiful country that’s got a ton of hidden gems strewn about, pristine beaches that are mostly untouched by people, and vivid greenery all around! It’ll take a bit more planning than the other trips, but if you’re healthy and up for some new sights, Sri Lanka will definitely bring a smile to your face. Hop onto one of their iconic trains and head for the hills or their beaches.
Here are some wonderful areas in Sri Lanka that you can consider visiting for your babymoon:
Galle
Found close to the southern tip of Sri Lanka, the city of Galle is home to beautiful colonial architecture such as the Galle Fort, the National Museum of Galle, and the Dutch Reformed Church. Enjoy the Unawatuna Beach while relaxing and sipping from a coconut that’s been cracked open!
Wadduwa
Another amazing beach awaits you at Wadduwa, with plenty of villas and resorts to choose from there! This beach paradise is located at the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, and perfect for couples who are searching for a romantic trip by the beach. Nightlife isn’t a thing there, so don’t expect bars and clubs (save the alcohol for after baby is more than a year old)!
When to visit Sri Lanka?
Best Weather: Okay, this will get somewhat complicated. There are two monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka – their southwest monsoon that affects the eastern and south-eastern regions happens from April to September, and their northeast monsoon happens from November to March.
The best times to visit the west and south coasts is from December to March, and the best times to visit the east coast is from April to September.
Months with the most tourists (2016): January to March, July and August, and December saw the highest number of tourists. The peak periods within those 3 were Feb with 197,697, July with 209,351, and December with 224,791 tourists.
Months with the least tourists (2016): April to June, and September to November saw the lowest number of tourists. The low points of tourists were June with 118,038, and September with 148,499.
Statistics taken from http://www.sltda.lk/node/745
Continue reading on Page 3 for more Babymoon destinations...
For Seekers Of… Laziness
Image credit: Bintan Lagoon Resorts
Bintan, Indonesia:
For those who are inclined towards destinations closer to Singapore, you can’t go wrong with Bintan – similar to Bali, but a bit less of a hassle to get there, we Singaporeans visit Bintan all the time for a weekend getaway. If you’re not picky about your babymoon destination, Bintan is a great (and cheap) place that’ll give you the tranquillity, food, beaches, and massages that you need.
If you’re up for a bit of exploring, you could always visit some of their lesser known islands on a quick boat ride! I’m pretty sure that everyone who’s visited Trikora Beach has also paid a visit to the Pizza Casa Italia – get authentic Italian pizza from an Italian family that fell in love with the island and moved there!
There are also a private island near Bintan Island itself. If you’re interested to explore a unique and more private destination, you can consider Nikoi Island. Overall journey time from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Nikoi Island is around 2.5 hours. If you’re planning to get there from Bintan, it is just a 20 minutes ferry from Bintan jetty to Nikoi.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how luxurious and secluded this island is. tinged with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, this tiny island is so unspoilt you’ll feel like you’ve rented the whole thing to yourself. Affordable and far from pretentious, Nikoi Island offers the ultimate beach getaway without having to travel far.
When to visit Bintan?
Best Weather: The monsoon season for Bintan is usually during November and December, so visiting them at any other time should be fine
Image credit: Singapore Guide
Sentosa, Singapore
For those who are looking EVEN CLOSER to home… close enough that it’s actually within our own country, booking a babymoon staycation in one of Sentosa’s swanky resorts won’t disappoint you. You’ll still be in Singapore, but it doesn’t quite feel like you’re here. Think of it this way – you’ll be able to ‘top up’ your babymoon experience in Sentosa with the cost of the tickets if you were flying overseas!
Lots of love has been given to Capella as a staycation choice with their own special babymoon packages that includes a couple spa, breakfast, and dinner. The hotel’s staff treats expectant mums like queens, and are extremely polite and helpful to them.
When to visit Sentosa?
Best Weather: Well… Sentosa’s pretty humid all year round, and the less rainy period is from March to June. If you’re looking for cooler weather, October and November are good choices (though there might be some rainy days in November)!
Tourists: It’s generally crowded throughout the entire year at Sentosa, but you can expect more people (both Singaporeans and tourists) during the school holiday periods (June and November/December). The first two weeks of December might also be a bit more crowded, due to Zouk Out, so avoid it if you don’t want to deal with more expensive accommodations and drunk clubbers!
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Understanding TCM
The practice of TCM originates from the writings of HuangDi NeiJin more than two thousand years ago. It remains a cornerstone of healthcare in modern China. In fact, the philosophies underpinning TCM has interwoven into the cultural DNA of Chinese people all over the world, shaping their lifestyles, disease prevention, and sickness management.
When the Communists assumed power in 1949, they quickly revived TCM as mainstream medicine, having been side-lined after Western Medicine was introduced. The herculean project to integrate TCM and Western Medicine came full steam in the 1960s. Together with the meteoric rise of alternative therapies, Chinese herbology and acupuncture became recognized for its health-restoring ability. Countries like Australia and Singapore establish TCM alongside western medicine, despite their different health concepts.
The bedrock of TCM is to achieve homeostasis, or physiological balance, of the Yin and Yang. The Yin-Yang philosophy encompasses the entire natural world, both large and small. The ebbs and wanes of the Yin-Yang opposing forces presides the health of man, as man interacts with the environment. The Yin-Yang forces conduct through the Qi and Blood energy, along meridians that organizes the organ systems of man. TCM promotes the holistic approach to maintain equilibrium by the use of natural medicine.
The Pregnancy Concept In TCM
Unlike Western Medicine, TCM does not identify pregnancy as a phase with altered human physiology with its unique vulnerabilities. Pregnancy ill health is similarly managed as in the non-pregnant women, by stabilizing the Yin-Yang balance, using herbs and acupuncture that manipulate the Qi movements. There is a weak appreciation of the interaction between the growing fetus and the pregnant mother.
The pregnant mother and the fetus are managed as one. TCM textbooks only discuss few pregnancy related conditions like threatened miscarriage and fetal mal-presentation. Pregnancy-related disorders are not considered unique conditions; they are treated according to the presenting complaints, such as abdominal pain, leg swelling, headaches and so forth.
Use Of Herbs During Pregnancy
Many pregnant women uses herbs or complementary therapies to have more energy, to feel well, and to strengthen the body to cope with the pregnancy. Between 15% and 50% of women use some form of herbs in pregnancy. Surveys in western communities found that the pregnant women of higher socio-economic classes consume more Chinese herbal products; they are more interested in alternative therapy, and more able to access TCM.
The results were different when in the Taipei survey. In 2005, doctors from the Taipei Municipal Maternal and Child Hospital reported on the use of Chinese herbal substances in pregnant Taipei women in the 1980s. They highlighted 42% of pregnant women used Chinese medicine; and these users are more likely to be of the lower income group, to have history of abnormal menstruation, previous miscarriages and other gynecological diseases. The Taiwanese imbibed Chinese herbs largely to improve health, to help fetal growth, and to prevent miscarriages and premature delivery. The authors also recorded that 75% of pregnant women obtained the Chinese herbs directly from their local Chinese herbal stores.
The widespread belief is that Chinese herbs being natural are mild and harmless, and should not have the noxious effects of western processed medications. This is far from true as ingested herbs have potent and unintended effects. The ancient Shennong’s Herbal Classic asserts that toxic herbs are those that effect a cure, and non-toxic herbs restore deficiencies.
All herbs are invariably toxic, and excessive doses of even a “weak” herb can cause extensive injury. The classic TCM pharmacopoeia warns against the dispensing of many individual herbs and medicinal material that are poisonous, that may cause miscarriage and injure the pregnancy. These include animal products (e.g. scorpion, beetle, toad, leeches, and centipedes), heavy metals (e.g. arsenic, mercury, and lead) and many other purgative, invigorating, and harsh plants.
The common Chinese medications used during pregnancy are ones like Ba-Zhen Tang, Si-Wu Tang, An-Tai-Yin, compound powder like Dang-Gui-Saho-Yao-San, and single herbs like Ginseng and Huanglian.
The expert TCM practitioner has to master the functions and characteristics of hundreds of herbs. He has also to understand how these herbs interact when combined – either to synergize, to antagonize, or equilibrate the desired effect.
Herbal concoction is to exert its impact on different patient eco-systems, which are intrinsically different according to gender, age, genetics, and lifestyles. If a TCM prescription that involves more than three herbal products and aspires to be curative, its formulation according to the classical methodology will be arduous.
Countless man-hours and innumerable patient encounters were consumed to derive effective decoction, with many misses along the way. Chinese herb prescribing is more of an art, resting on the experience of the master herbalist. To meddle with herbs while inexperienced is dangerous.
Natural herbs may have more than one function, and their potency varies according to where they are harvested. Some natural herbs have opposing functions depending on their chemical state. The preparation of the herbs changes their properties.
Studies have found that some concoctions have been tainted with either contaminants unintentionally, or intentionally with synthetic potent drugs such as steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The safety of using herbs is improving fast when modern TCM practice applied the latest technologies to identify the active components of ancient formulations, which can then be studied scientifically.
Summary
Pregnancy is an altered state of human physiology, when the fetus, who is part foreign to the mother, “the host”, is allowed to mature with the uterus. Herbs use must be careful as it affects two living systems.
The use of herbs is not advisable in the first trimester, as this is the phase of embryogenesis, when the fetus’ organs are assembling to become a functioning unit. Any unnecessary chemical compound, be it processed medication or plant product, must be tested safe before consumption.
Herbs should only be taken if there is a clear need for them to be used. They should be prescribed by a trained TCM practitioner, who has evaluated the pregnant woman’s present condition, and is able to appropriately customize the herbs to meet her requirement.
To allow pregnant women to take herbal treatment for a prolonged period, there must be both clinical and biochemical evidence that the herbal compounds do exert the positive effects as claimed. Otherwise, the potential risk to the pregnancy and fetus may be indefensible.
In conclusion, well-tested herbs may be beneficial in the correct circumstances. It is unwise to encourage herb use in pregnancy without prior consultation with a trained TCM practitioner.
Dr James Lee, MBBS (Singapore), MRCOG (London), GDIP Acupuncture (Singapore)
Obstetrician & Gynecologist
The Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre @OUE
6A Shenton Way
#02-19/20
OUE Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068815
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There is no need to forego your favourite beauty routines now that you’re pregnant. The belief that pregnant mothers should stop the use of any products they use on their skin are generally untrue.
If you’re wondering what you can or can’t do with your hair during this 9 months, here are a few things you should take note of!
DO: Go for a deep-conditioning product
Dry hair tends to get drier during pregnancy, which means you might find your hair to be frizzier and more prone to breakage. If you get this, it’s a good time to go for a deep-conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment. Don’t overdo it though! Once a month should be enough.
DON’T: Go crazy with chemical treatments
Hair dyes are generally not highly toxic and safe to use during pregnancy. Only a small amount of hair dye may be absorbed into the skin. Hence, this small amount is not considered harmful to the fetus. Try not to go overboard with the chemicals (like bleaching) either! During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes and it can affect the way your body reacts to these treatments.
That said, do test the colour on some strands first. As hormonal changes can make your hair react to the colour differently.
DO: Opt for simpler and safer services
Root touch-ups and root-to-tip colour change are considered single-process colour. This means the dye is applied to the hair and scalp where the pores in your skin soak up the chemicals. For a safer alternative, try techniques where the colour is painted directly on the hair shaft. For example, highlights and streaking. Or just ask your hairdresser to avoid touching your hair roots.
DON’T: Dye your hair during the first trimester
Yes, we mentioned above that it is generally safe to get some basic hair dye done during pregnancy. However, the first three months of your pregnancy is extremely sensitive. It is ideal to wait till you’ve passed the first trimester before making an appointment!
DO: Get a hair massage
Pamper yourself! A hair and head massage can greatly improve your hair’s condition and it’s a great way to help you relax as well.
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Image credit: Veer
Most of the time we over think our pregnancy symptoms and we end up worrying about nothing. Still, pregnancy problems can happen. Which is why is it also important for all pregnant Mummies to know the warning signs and which symptoms will require immediate attention from your doctor.
1. Extreme vomiting
While morning sickness is common in most pregnancies, excessive vomiting can cause you to be severely dehydrated, which isn’t good for baby and you. If you can’t keep liquids down or if you’re not peeing like you normally would, it might be a sign that you’re suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme type of morning sickness that might last through pregnancy.
Also, seek medical attention if you’re not able to keep food down for 2 days straight and if you have food poisoning or if you’re running a fever.
2. Intense pain in abdomen
If you’re less then 12 weeks into your pregnancy and feeling a sharp pain on one side of your stomach, see your doctor to rule out ectopic pregnancy. If you’re far along your pregnancy, call your doctor if the pain is so intense or frequent.
3. Bleeding
Talk to your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding at any time of your pregnancy. It could mean you have a tear in your placenta or other problems. Don’t panic though! Most of the time, the bleeding doesn’t lead to long-term problems.
Keep in mind that if you’re in your first trimester, many women experience spotting, so bleeding doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a miscarriage.
4. Severe headache and excessive swelling all over the body
Headache and swelling might be overlooked as they are all symptoms of pregnancy. However, if you suddenly get splitting headaches in your 2nd and 3rd trimester, or hands and face start to swell like crazy, you could be suffering from preeclampsia.
5. Watery discharge or contractions
If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, the watery discharge might mean your water has broken. Some mothers experience a sudden gush of water while others experience a trickle. While some mothers may think their water have burst, but instead it is just them not able to hold their pee in.
Contractions are another sign of preterm labour. This is easily mixed up with Braxton Hicks. Still, don’t assume! If you’re feeling confused, just drop your doctor a call to be sure.
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It is probably one of the most worrying news to receive if your Gynae tells you that you’ve failed the glucose test and that you have Gestational Diabetes (GD). Having GD can cause problems for both you and baby during the pregnancy and might affect your birth plan.
Good news is, it can be controlled if you follow a healthy meal plan. Most often than not, the level of glucose will be reduced once you start eating right!
6 steps to reduce your glucose level
1. Eat small amounts of food about every 2 to 3 hours.
Spreading your carbohydrates evenly throughout the day helps keep your blood glucose stable.
2. In every meal and snack, include some healthy protein.
Protein helps you feel satisfied and full of energy throughout the day and helps even out your blood glucose.
3. Eat a very small breakfast, with a similar mid-morning snack about 2 hours later.
When you have GD, your blood glucose tends to be high in the morning. To offset this, your meal plan will probably have fewer carbs at breakfast than at lunch or dinner. For example, your plan may specify a breakfast that includes one milk serving, one starch serving, and some protein.
4. Choose high-fibre foods.
Good sources include whole-grain breads and cereals, fresh and frozen vegetables, and beans. Fruits are also a good source of fibre. Most plans include fruit in afternoon or evening meals and snacks.
5. Watch out for sugar and concentrated sweets.
Sweets raise your blood glucose quickly and significantly without giving your body the nutrition it needs. Here are some tips:
6. Be careful about fat, especially if you’re gaining weight.
Follow these suggestions:
Tips to stay healthy during your this period
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As discussed in the previous article , the best time to travel when you’re preggers is around the 20 – 24 week mark! If you’re leaving on a jetplane before 28 weeks, a medical certificate usually isn’t required to prove that you’re fit for travel.
Here are some suggestions (and favourite travel destinations) from us:
For Seekers Of Pure Relaxation
Image credit: Cebu Tours
Cebu Island, Philippines
The most popular tourist destination in the south of Philippines, it’s home to a bustling, metropolitan city and beautiful, world-class beach resorts. Enjoy their pristine beaches while lying back on a beach chair, reading a book, and feeling the warm breeze breathe some much needed energy into your body! Cebu Island’s weather is very much like Singapore’s – tropical and humid throughout the whole year.
If you’re up for some light travel (don’t overexert yourself and make sure to stay hydrated if you do travel!), you can check out some sights in Cebu City and nearby islands such as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, which is the first ever church that was built in the Philippines in 1565, and was burnt down thrice before the current church was built in 1737 (thanks lonely planet, for the history lesson!).
When to visit Cebu?
Best weather: From December to March, where it’s the coolest and least humid.
Months with the most tourists (2016): November to February saw the most amount of tourists, with a peak of 576,638 in December. July also saw 560,872 tourists, a big jump from 459,138 in June.
Months with the least tourists (2016): From April to June, and September to October were the least number of tourists, with a low of 422,943 in September.
Statistics taken from http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/industryperformance.aspx
For more information on things to do in Cebu, go here.
Image credit: Travel Zom
Bali, Indonesia
Bali doesn’t really need that much of an introduction, because it’s the standard, go-to destination for Singaporean vacationers who’re looking for a fun and relaxing getaway from the grind!
For expectant mums, stay away from the more hectic and touristy parts and instead, turn your gaze to the multitude of relaxing and rejuvenating resorts in the quieter and more chill areas of the island.
When to visit Bali?
Best weather: April to September is Bali’s dry season!
Months with the most tourists (2016): June to December (except November), with a peak of 484,231 in July.
Months with the least tourists (2016): January to May, with a low of 350,592 in January. November saw a dip in tourism between October and December, with 413,232 tourists.
Statistics taken from http://www.disparda.baliprov.go.id/en/Statistics2
For more information on things to do in Bali (even though we go there so often, you never know… your perspective might be different during your pregnancy!), go here.
For Seekers Of Something New
Image credit: ExploreLanka
Sri Lanka
Psst, now this is a beautiful country that’s got a ton of hidden gems strewn about, pristine beaches that are mostly untouched by people, and vivid greenery all around! It’ll take a bit more planning than the other trips, but if you’re healthy and up for some new sights, Sri Lanka will definitely bring a smile to your face. Hop onto one of their iconic trains and head for the hills or their beaches.
Here are some wonderful areas in Sri Lanka that you can consider visiting for your babymoon:
Galle
Found close to the southern tip of Sri Lanka, the city of Galle is home to beautiful colonial architecture such as the Galle Fort, the National Museum of Galle, and the Dutch Reformed Church. Enjoy the Unawatuna Beach while relaxing and sipping from a coconut that’s been cracked open!
Wadduwa
Another amazing beach awaits you at Wadduwa, with plenty of villas and resorts to choose from there! This beach paradise is located at the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, and perfect for couples who are searching for a romantic trip by the beach. Nightlife isn’t a thing there, so don’t expect bars and clubs (save the alcohol for after baby is more than a year old)!
When to visit Sri Lanka?
Best Weather: Okay, this will get somewhat complicated. There are two monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka – their southwest monsoon that affects the eastern and south-eastern regions happens from April to September, and their northeast monsoon happens from November to March.
The best times to visit the west and south coasts is from December to March, and the best times to visit the east coast is from April to September.
Months with the most tourists (2016): January to March, July and August, and December saw the highest number of tourists. The peak periods within those 3 were Feb with 197,697, July with 209,351, and December with 224,791 tourists.
Months with the least tourists (2016): April to June, and September to November saw the lowest number of tourists. The low points of tourists were June with 118,038, and September with 148,499.
Statistics taken from http://www.sltda.lk/node/745
For Seekers Of… Laziness
Image credit: Bintan Lagoon Resorts
Bintan, Indonesia:
For those who are inclined towards destinations closer to Singapore, you can’t go wrong with Bintan – similar to Bali, but a bit less of a hassle to get there, we Singaporeans visit Bintan all the time for a weekend getaway. If you’re not picky about your babymoon destination, Bintan is a great (and cheap) place that’ll give you the tranquillity, food, beaches, and massages that you need.
If you’re up for a bit of exploring, you could always visit some of their lesser known islands on a quick boat ride! I’m pretty sure that everyone who’s visited Trikora Beach has also paid a visit to the Pizza Casa Italia – get authentic Italian pizza from an Italian family that fell in love with the island and moved there!
There are also a private island near Bintan Island itself. If you’re interested to explore a unique and more private destination, you can consider Nikoi Island. Overall journey time from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Nikoi Island is around 2.5 hours. If you’re planning to get there from Bintan, it is just a 20 minutes ferry from Bintan jetty to Nikoi.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how luxurious and secluded this island is. tinged with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, this tiny island is so unspoilt you’ll feel like you’ve rented the whole thing to yourself. Affordable and far from pretentious, Nikoi Island offers the ultimate beach getaway without having to travel far.
When to visit Bintan?
Best Weather: The monsoon season for Bintan is usually during November and December, so visiting them at any other time should be fine
Image credit: Singapore Guide
Sentosa, Singapore
For those who are looking EVEN CLOSER to home… close enough that it’s actually within our own country, booking a babymoon staycation in one of Sentosa’s swanky resorts won’t disappoint you. You’ll still be in Singapore, but it doesn’t quite feel like you’re here. Think of it this way – you’ll be able to ‘top up’ your babymoon experience in Sentosa with the cost of the tickets if you were flying overseas!
Lots of love has been given to Capella as a staycation choice with their own special babymoon packages that includes a couple spa, breakfast, and dinner. The hotel’s staff treats expectant mums like queens, and are extremely polite and helpful to them.
When to visit Sentosa?
Best Weather: Well… Sentosa’s pretty humid all year round, and the less rainy period is from March to June. If you’re looking for cooler weather, October and November are good choices (though there might be some rainy days in November)!
Tourists: It’s generally crowded throughout the entire year at Sentosa, but you can expect more people (both Singaporeans and tourists) during the school holiday periods (June and November/December). The first two weeks of December might also be a bit more crowded, due to Zouk Out, so avoid it if you don’t want to deal with more expensive accommodations and drunk clubbers!
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One of the main reasons babymoons are popular is because it’s one of the final times that couples are able to go on a trip by themselves (at least for the immediate future)!
Once baby arrives, there are a ton of new factors to consider when going on a vacay with them – will they like the food, is the weather bad for them, flu vaccinations, public and private transport, etc.
You probably won’t be able to experience a romantic trip with just the two of you for a long, longtime, at least until baby’s progressed to late toddlerhood or their early teens. So grab this opportunity to reconnect with each other before baby’s around, because things will get a lot more hectic than you think!
But First, Go See Your Doctor
It’s extremely important to pay your doctor a visit and get an ‘all clear’ for both you and baby to travel. Let them know where you’re going, how you’re getting there (airplanes, cruises), and what the weather’s like during your trip. They’ll advise you on whether it’s a good idea to go ahead with the trip, and give you pointers on the do’s and don’ts of your trip.
It is also recommended to get a memo from your gynae to state that you are fit to travel. Carry that memo with you everywhere, especially when you’re at the airport! Some airlines might ask you for a doctor’s note if you look ‘too pregnant’ at that point of time. We’ll touch on this in detail below, read on!
The best time for a babymoon would be during your 2nd trimester, after all that business with morning sickness is over with and you’re slightly more energised.
Airline and Cruise Policies For Expectant Mums
Here’s something that you might’ve not known about, and it’s extremely important for pregnant mums who are planning to do a babymoon – airlines and cruises are able to turn you down if you’re past a certain week during your pregnancy.
Here are the general policies for expectant mums on airlines:
And here are the general policies for expectant mums on cruises:
Please do check with your chosen airline or cruise what their specific policies are regarding expectant mums, and plan accordingly!
Some General Guidelines For Your Babymoon
Travel Tips For Pregnant Moms
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