Here are the top 10 essentials for a manageable and healthy pregnancy:
1. A Support System Including a Malaica Nurse Midwife
Having access to our 24/7 midwife hotline through your pregnancy journey helps by putting medical personnel at your disposal.
You’ll also need a support system to relay on which can be made up of parents, siblings, partners, friends or a community of mums. Choose one person you can call to take you to the hospital, go shopping and get checkups and someone to pick you up.
Being a part of the Malaica pregnancy program also gives you access to a great group of other expectant mums for you to walk this journey with you.
Related: 4 Reasons Why a 24/7 Nurse Midwife Hotline Matters
2. Pregnancy Pillows
This is another kind of support that will come in handy. Choose pregnancy pillows that contour and curve to support the whole body. C shape pillows offer the most flexibility while wedge-shaped pillows offer great alignment when sleeping.
3. A Good Gynaecologist
You’ll need a good gynaecologist for any advice, health concern or health recommendation that you may need. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with a Malaica gynaecologist for Ksh 1500/= only. Our antenatal care clinics are also headed by an OB-GYN to ensure you’re getting the professional and expert support you and your baby deserves.
4. Insurance Policy or Fund
Do you have an insurance policy or hospital fund? What can it cover? What are the limitations? Which are the best maternity packages? All these are the questions to consider and plan for earlier on during your pregnancy. Ensure you find out where your insurance policy can cover you and where it’s limited before moving on to maternity packages.
Having this information at hand helps you and your partner to sufficiently budget for your baby from pregnancy needs, delivery costs, childcare, medical costs, and newborn essentials such as clothing.
5. Comfortable Clothes
Loosely fitting clothes and other maternity wear are more comfortable for any expectant mum as they cater to the growing bump. What’s more, If you know where to look, you can find stylish, loose-fitting clothes that will help you enjoy the baby bump more.
Open shoes, sandals, and wide sneakers are a great choice especially if you find your feet swelling. In addition to sandals, invest in scarves too as they come in handy in countering any hot flushes that you might experience.
6. Access To Information
Pregnancy is confusing and you will have many questions to ask, especially for a first-time mum. And even as an experienced mum, every pregnancy and birth has different needs and you’ll still have things you’re figuring out for the first time.
Join Malaica Maternity Hospital to gain access to the right information and have all your questions answered instantly by an expert. Our 24/7 nurse midwife hotline will help you differentiate between normal concerns and those that need immediate medical attention. The information also takes away your confusion and concerns while helping you make informed choices.
7. Essential Oils and Moisturisers
Moisturisers and essential oils are a must-have for an expectant mum. Take care of yourself, your bump and your skin by trying out different oils like Bio Oil.
Pregnancy comes with various skin changes including pigmentation, dry skin, itchiness, excess oily skin, while for some, their skin glows more than normal. You’ll need essential oils and other pregnancy-safe skincare products to take care of these changes. However, ensure you speak with your doctor or midwife first before getting started on any products.
8. An Inspiring Pregnancy Book
Reading during pregnancy can help you pass time, keep you brain sharp, and find an enjoyable activity for winding down.
A book to help you keep positive, inspired and creative while at the same time offering all the truths about pregnancy will come in handy. Read it amid hospital appointments, when chilling and relaxing and any other time you need inspiration. You can also read other books out loud as a means to bond with your unborn baby.
9. Pregnancy Journaling
Sometimes life gets in the way and we forget the precious moments. Journaling through pregnancy ensures you document these special moments as a record for your beautiful journey. Putting your worries down on paper also helps you feel lighter and able to navigate difficult moments of depression and pregnancy anxiety.
Multiple studies have shown time and again that writing therapy can be relaxing for pregnant women and reduce their anxiety, depression, and maternal stress.
10. Water Bottles
Staying hydrated and drinking enough water and fluids is a sure way to stay healthy and one of the most important things during pregnancy. Water bottles help you keep up with the required water intake throughout the day.
If you’re finding it hard to achieve your pregnancy water intake due to the nausea, consider drinking slow amounts throughout the day. Another way is to infuse your water with herbs such as cloves and mint or fruits and vegetables such as apples and cucumbers.
Quality Maternal Healthcare at Malaica Maternity Hospital
One of the things you shouldn’t miss from your pregnancy essentials is quality maternal healthcare from a maternity hospital dedicated to you and your baby’s well being. When you’re looking and exploring your options, ensure the hospital you settle on goes beyond the routine medical assessments to offer comprehensive and holistic maternity care.
At Malaica Maternity Hospital, our antenatal care clinic is led by an expert OB-GYN so you and your baby can get all the care you need for a healthy pregnancy. Call or send us a message at +254 746 610643 to learn how our maternal care comes with multiple layers of support from mental health care to expert nutrition education, online community of pregnant mothers, and a 24/7 nurse midwife hotline. You can also fill out our online booking form and we’ll call you back.