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Antenatal Care Singapore: Pregnancy Care and Delivery

Your pregnancy journey deserves clear guidance and reassuring medical support. At Dr. Law Wei Seng’s women’s clinic in Singapore, we provide antenatal care that monitors mother and baby, supports your wellbeing week by week, and prepares you for labour and delivery with a multidisciplinary team.

Antenatal care includes regular antenatal visits to monitor blood pressure, urine tests, baby’s heartbeat, baby’s growth, and routine scans. Screening tests help assess risks such as chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome, and detect health concerns such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

Dr. Law Wei Seng Antenatal Care Services In Singapore

We provide structured antenatal care that supports baby’s health, guides you through each stage of pregnancy, and prepares you for labour and delivery with the right clinical team and advice.

Antenatal Checkups and Screening

We provide antenatal checkups with screening tests and ultrasound scans to support baby’s health, including screening for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and assessment for fetal anomalies.

Personalised Pregnancy Care and Practical Advice

We guide pregnant women through diet, exercise, common pregnancy symptoms, and what to expect at each stage. We also discuss delivery planning and pain management options for labour.

Multidisciplinary Maternity Care in Singapore

Our clinic provides comprehensive antenatal and perinatal care supported by healthcare professionals, including maternal fetal specialist input, anaesthetists for labour planning, and newborn care support when needed.

Due Date Calculator And Expected Delivery Date

Your expected date is usually calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. Use the calculator below for an estimate, then confirm your dates with an ultrasound scan during your first antenatal visit.

Last menstrual period date:

Antenatal Visits In Singapore: What Happens At Each Appointment

Antenatal care is designed to check your health and look for anything that could affect your growing baby. Your visit schedule depends on your individual needs, pregnancy stage, and any health concerns. Many pregnant women start antenatal care early and continue with regular antenatal visits until delivery.

What Is Commonly Checked At Antenatal Appointments

Blood pressure and weight, to watch for signs of high blood pressure and preeclampsia
Urine tests, including checks for sugar and protein
Baby’s heartbeat and baby’s growth
Blood tests are performed when needed, depending on your trimester and medical history
Discussion of symptoms, exercise, diet, pelvic floor support, and mental wellbeing
Planning for delivery suite arrangements and pain management preferences as you approach labour

Antenatal Screening Tests And Routine Scans By Trimester

Antenatal screening helps identify risks early and supports decisions about next steps. Your doctor will advise which screening tests are appropriate based on your weeks pregnant, age, family history, and individual needs.

First Trimester Screening and Early Checks

Dating scan to confirm pregnancy and expected date
Screening for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, often with first trimester screening methods
NIPT is a blood test option commonly performed from 10 weeks pregnant to screen for genetic conditions
In some cases, diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis may be discussed when indicated

Second Trimester Scans and Checks

Fetal anomaly scan is typically performed around 18 to 22 weeks to check for fetal anomaly and structural abnormalities of bones and organs
Routine scans may also assess placenta position, amniotic fluid levels, and baby’s growth

Gestational Diabetes Screening

The oral glucose tolerance test is commonly used to screen for gestational diabetes between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Third Trimester Growth Monitoring

Growth scans may be recommended later in pregnancy to assess baby’s growth and wellbeing, especially when there are risk factors or certain conditions.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms And Practical Relief Tips

Many symptoms during pregnancy are normal, but they can still be uncomfortable. These practical tips may help, and you should always discuss persistent or severe symptoms during your antenatal appointment.

Backache: Avoid heavy lifting, maintain good posture, and wear supportive shoes.
Bloatedness: Fluid retention can contribute. Drink adequate fluids and reduce caffeine intake.
Constipation: Increase fibre and drink plenty of water.
Heartburn, or indigestion: Eat small, frequent meals and reduce spicy or fatty foods.
Morning sickness: Eat small amounts of carbohydrates more frequently and avoid long gaps without food.
Piles, or haemorrhoids: A high fibre diet and increased water intake can help.
Sleeplessness: Anxiety or physical discomfort can contribute. A warm drink before bed and a calming routine may help.
Urinary problems: Often caused by baby pressure on the bladder. Pelvic floor exercises may help.
Varicose veins: Avoid prolonged standing and keep gentle regular movement where suitable.

When To Contact A Doctor Immediately

Seek medical advice promptly if you experience any of the following:

Bleeding, or persistent spotting
A sudden gush of clear fluid
Severe abdominal pain, or persistent contractions
High blood pressure symptoms such as severe headache, visual changes, or sudden swelling
Reduced baby movements later in pregnancy
Fever, or feeling unwell in a way that concerns you

Selecting A Gynaecologist

Choosing a gynaecologist is an important part of your pregnancy journey. Consider experience, credentials, and communication style. You should feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues, and you should feel confident about the clinic and hospital where you plan to deliver.

Practical factors to consider when selecting a gynaecologist:

Experience and disposition
Credentials and training background
Whether the doctor takes time to explain the treatment plan and screening options
How after hours concerns are managed
Where you will deliver and what support is available for mother and baby

Week-By-Week Guide To Pregnancy

Each week of pregnancy will include a detailed description of your baby’s development and an explanation of the changes in your body. Use this guide as general education, then confirm what applies to you during your antenatal appointment.

First Trimester

The first week is your menstrual period. This week counts as part of the 40-week pregnancy, even though your baby has not been conceived yet. It is because your expected delivery date is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period.

During this week, you are still not pregnant, but the lining of your uterus is developing to prepare itself to nourish your baby. Your body also secretes a follicle-stimulating hormone, which stimulates an egg to mature. This is when you are most likely to conceive. After your partner ejaculates, millions of sperm travel through the vagina. Only hundreds reach the fallopian tube, where the egg cell is waiting. Fertilisation takes place near the end of this week. You will be pregnant, but you won’t notice any changes in your body just yet.

Your baby was just conceived. The fertilised egg will undergo cell division. About 30 hours after fertilisation, it splits into two cells, then four, eight, and continues to divide as it moves to the uterus. When it arrives, this group of cells will appear as a tiny ball (a morula). It becomes hollow and fills with fluid and is called a blastocyst. It will then attach itself to the lining of the uterus. This process is called implantation. The lining of the uterus (endometrium) provides nutrients to the developing embryo and helps remove waste. This site will develop into the placenta over time.

Four weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is now an embryo and consists of two layers of cells. Eventually, these will develop into all of your baby’s organs and body parts. Two other structures will develop: the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac. The amniotic cavity is filled with amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects the growing embryo. The yolk sac produces blood, helping nourish the embryo until the placenta takes over.

Some women may experience slight cramping and spotting this week as the embryo buries itself deep within the endometrium. Once implanted, the embryo begins to produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which helps maintain the endometrium. This hormone also signals the ovary to stop releasing an egg monthly, stopping your monthly periods.

The embryo has been a clump of cells until now. But at this point, a distinct shape starts to form. The neural tube runs from the embryo’s top to the bottom, which will become your baby’s spinal cord and brain. A bulge in the centre of the embryo will develop into the heart. The placenta develops at this point. It is through the placenta and its finger-like projections that the embryo gets nourishment from you.

Your baby’s brain and nervous system are quickly developing by week 6. Optic vesicles, which will form the eyes, and the passageways forming the inner ear start to develop on the sides of the head. Your baby’s heart will begin to beat and might be detected on an ultrasound examination. The beginnings of your baby’s digestive and respiratory systems are forming, and small buds that will grow into arms and legs appear this week.

Babies are often measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the buttocks – not from head to toe. Taking a full-length measurement is challenging because their legs are curled against their torsos for most of the pregnancy. Your baby only measures two to five millimetres during this week.

The umbilical cord has formed and is your baby’s connection to you (oxygen, nourishment, and disposal of wastes). Its digestive tract and lungs continue to develop. The eyes, nostrils, mouth, and ears are some of the facial features that become more defined during this week. The tiny arm buds formed last week have hands at the ends, which look like little paddles.

Your baby’s fingers and toes are just starting to form. The arms can flex at the elbows and wrists, and the eyes are becoming more noticeable as they begin to develop pigment (colour) in the retina. The intestines are also getting longer, not having enough room in the baby’s abdomen. So they stick out into the umbilical cord until week 12. By this time, the beginnings of the buds that will develop into genitals have appeared, but have not yet developed enough to reveal your baby’s sex.

The tail at the bottom of the spinal cord has shrunk and almost disappeared by this week. Your baby’s head has also been growing and is quite large compared to the rest of the body. It curves onto the chest. Your baby measures about 16 to 18 millimetres and weighs around 3 grams.

The tip of the nose has already developed and is seen in profile. The flaps of skin over its eyes are starting to form eyelids, which will become more noticeable over the next few weeks. The digestive system continues to develop, and internal reproductive features (testes and ovaries) begin to form this week. Your baby’s intestines are growing longer, and the anus is forming.

As your baby’s muscles develop, they may make some first movements. You won’t be able to feel them for a few more weeks, but they might be more visible if you have an ultrasound.

By this week, all vital organs have been formed and are beginning to work together. External changes happen, such as the disappearance of the tail and the separation of fingers. Internal developments also occur this week, such as tooth buds forming in the mouth, and if you are having a boy, his testes will start producing the male hormone testosterone. Week 10 marks the end of the embryonic period. The embryo now has a distinctly human appearance. Your baby will officially be a foetus starting next week.

From week 11 to week 20, your baby will grow fast – increasing in size from about 5 cm to about 20 cm. The blood vessels in your placenta are also growing in size and number to give your baby more nutrients. Your baby’s head accounts for about half of the body length. The ears move toward their final position on the sides of the head. Even though its reproductive organs are developing quickly, the external genitals will only appear by the end of this week. They will be clearly distinguished by week 14.

Vocal cords are formed, and your baby’s kidneys are functional in the last week of the first trimester. After ingesting amniotic fluid, your baby can excrete it from the body as urine. The intestines will also make their way into the abdomen because there is room for them now.

Second Trimester

Your placenta has already developed, providing your baby with nutrients, oxygen, and waste disposal. It also makes progesterone and oestrogen, hormones that help maintain the pregnancy. Your baby’s eyelids have fused to protect the eyes as they develop. He or she might be able to put a thumb in his or her mouth, although the sucking muscles are not fully developed yet.

Some fine hairs (lanugo) have grown on your baby’s face and will eventually cover most of your baby’s body until it has shed before delivery. The genitals have fully developed but may still be hard to see on an ultrasound. Your baby also begins to generate thyroid hormones because its thyroid gland has matured. Your baby weighs about 45 grams and is about 9 cm long from crown to rump.

Your baby’s skin has been continuously developing. It is so thin and translucent that the blood vessels are visible through it. Hair growth continues on the head and the eyebrows. The ears are almost in position, though they are still a bit low on the head. Your baby’s skeletal system and muscle development continue, and he or she is probably making movements with the mouth, head, arms, hands, wrists, legs, and feet.

He or she now weighs about 110 grams and measures about 12 cm from crown to rump. Your baby can hold its head up, and the development of facial muscles permits various expressions, such as frowning and squinting.

Your baby measures 13 cm and weighs 140 grams. The placenta is still growing to accommodate your growing baby. Now, it contains thousands of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients from your body to your baby’s developing body.

This week, the ears have moved to their final position, standing out from the head. In the coming weeks, your baby will probably be able to hear. The middle ear’s bones and the brain’s nerve endings are developing, enabling your baby to hear sounds, such as your heartbeat and the blood moving through the umbilical cord.

Your baby’s eyes are now facing forward rather than to the sides, and its retinas may be able to detect a flashlight’s beam if you hold it to your abdomen. Your baby’s bones had been developing until now, but they were still soft. Starting this week, they start to harden or ossify. The clavicles and the legs are among the first bones to solidify.

Your baby is covered in a white, waxy substance that helps protect its delicate skin from scratches or chapping. The development of brown fat happens this week, which will help keep your baby warm after birth. You might feel your baby’s first movements, usually between weeks 18 and 20. They may feel like a growling stomach or butterflies in the stomach.

At 20 weeks or halfway into your pregnancy, your baby weighs about 312 grams and measures about 16 cm from crown to rump. Your baby is also taking up increasing space in your womb. This continued growth will put pressure on your stomach, lungs, bladder, and kidneys. Under the white, waxy substance that covers your baby, the skin is thickening and developing layers. Hair and nails continue to grow. Your doctor may recommend that you receive an ultrasound scan to determine the size, position, and sex of the foetus and confirm normal anatomy (look for any structural abnormalities of bones and organs).

Almost all of your baby’s nourishment still comes from you. Your baby’s spleen and liver have been responsible for producing blood cells until now. This week, the bone marrow spaces have developed enough to contribute to the formation of blood cells.

Your baby’s senses keep on developing daily. Taste buds have begun to form on the tongue. The brain and nerve endings have also formed enough, allowing the foetus to feel touch. Your baby may put this newfound sense to the test by sucking on a thumb or stroking his or her face. He or she may as well feel other body parts and see how they move.

In boys, the testes have begun to move down from the abdomen. In girls, the ovaries and the uterus are in place, and the vagina has developed. So it can be said that your baby’s reproductive system progresses during this week.

Although fat is starting to build up on your baby’s body, the skin still hangs loosely, giving him or her a wrinkled appearance. Your baby’s workout routine includes regularly moving the muscles in the fingers, arms, toes, and legs. You may feel forceful movements as a result. Your baby weighs a little more than 454 grams.

The inner ear, which controls balance, is now fully developed. Thus, your baby might be able to tell when he or she is right side up or upside down while floating and moving in the amniotic fluid.

Glucose screening is an important prenatal test performed between weeks 24 and 28. This screening test checks for gestational diabetes, a temporary type of diabetes during pregnancy that can cause problems to your newborn child, such as low blood sugar.

You may notice that your baby has periods of alertness and periods of rest. More foetal activity can be noticed when you are still or relaxing. Also, he or she may be able to hear your voice because your baby’s hearing has continued to develop, too.

Your baby’s eyes will soon open and blink after being sealed shut for the last few months. Eyelashes and more hair on the head are growing in. Your baby weighs a little less than 907 grams and still looks wrinkly. However, he or she will continue to gain weight steadily over the next 14 weeks until birth.

Third Trimester

By this first week of the last trimester, your baby looks close to what he or she will look like after birth, just smaller and thinner. The liver, lungs, and immune system still need to develop fully. As your baby’s hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognise your voice and your partner’s. Your baby may hear the sounds as muffled because the ears are still covered with the white, waxy substance that protects the skin from becoming chapped.

Your baby weighs approximately 1 kilogram and measures about 25 cm from crown to rump. The folds and grooves of your baby’s brain are expanding and developing continuously. Additional layers of fat also form this week. At your next prenatal appointment, your doctor may tell you whether your baby is head-first or bottom-first (breech position) in the womb. If your baby is in the breech position, he or she still has 2 months to turn. Most babies switch positions on their own.

Your baby continues to be active. So you may experience hard jabs and punches. You may do a foetal kick count: your baby should move at least ten times in two hours.

Weighing about 1.4 kg and measuring about 27 cm from crown to rump, your baby continues to grow fat and gain weight. This fat makes him or her less wrinkly and helps provide warmth after birth. To prepare for breathing after delivery, your baby will mimic breathing movements by repeatedly moving the diaphragm. He or she can even get hiccups, which you may feel as rhythmic twitching.

Your baby is peeing several cups of urine daily into the amniotic fluid. He or she is also swallowing and practising breathing amniotic fluid, which is replaced several times completely daily. Too much fluid in the amniotic sac could mean that the baby is not swallowing normally or that there is a gastrointestinal obstruction. Not enough fluid in the amniotic sac could mean your baby is not peeing correctly, which could indicate a problem with the urinary tract. As part of your routine ultrasound, your doctor will measure your amniotic fluid levels.

The hair on your baby’s head, as well as eyelashes and eyebrows, is evident. The fine hair that has covered your baby since the beginning of the second trimester is falling off, though some may remain on the shoulders and back after birth. At about 1.8 kilograms and 29 cm from crown to rump, your baby would have an excellent chance of survival if you delivered now.

Billions of neurons have developed in your baby’s brain to help him or her learn about the womb environment. Your baby can see, hear, and feel to some extent. The eyes can detect light, and the pupils can dilate or constrict in response. The lungs are almost fully developed. Fat will continue to accumulate on the body for warmth and protection. Like a newborn, your baby sleeps most of the time and even has rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

A developing baby absorbs calcium from the mother to make and harden bones. Ensure you are getting enough of this mineral to prevent calcium loss in your bones. Partner your prenatal vitamins with calcium-rich foods like milk, yoghurt, cheese, tofu, broccoli, soybeans, almonds, spinach, and more.

By this time, most babies are in position for delivery. Babies born at 34 weeks typically have fairly well-developed lungs. Their average weight and size of 2.25 kilograms and 32 cm from crown to rump allow them to survive outside the uterus without extensive medical intervention.

This week marks your baby’s quickest period of weight gain – about 226 to 340 grams per week. Fat is deposited all over his or her body, especially around the shoulders. Your baby’s increasing size means that he or she is cramped and restricted inside the uterus. You may feel fewer but stronger movements. If your baby is in a head-first position, the head will rest on your pubic bone in preparation for labour.

Your baby is fast becoming a plump one – from a tiny wrinkly foetus you saw on previous ultrasound scans. Also, your baby’s fuller face is due to the fat on the cheeks and powerful sucking muscles. Your baby weighs approximately 2.72 kilograms. The bones that constitute your baby’s skull tend to move and overlap as it helps him or her pass through the birth canal.

Your baby has developed the coordination to grasp with their fingers. Your baby may turn toward it in your womb when flashed with a bright light. He or she continues to gain weight at approximately 14 grams per day.

Your baby weighs about 2.9 kilograms and measures about 34 cm from crown to rump. Fat is still building, although growth is much slower now. Your baby has been able to ingest amniotic fluid, so waste materials have built up in the intestines. Dead skin cells, fine hair, and cells shed from the intestines are some of the waste products in your baby’s first bowel movement. If you are having a boy, his testicles have dropped into the scrotum. If you are having a girl, the labia are now fully developed.

Most of the white, waxy substance that covered your baby’s skin, as well as the fine hair (lanugo) has disappeared. Your placenta has been supplying the baby with antibodies that will help his or her immune system fight infection for the first six to 12 months.

After long months of anticipation and preparation, your baby is here. Other moms do not deliver right on their estimated due dates. A baby born at 40 weeks weighs approximately 3.30 kilograms and measures about 51cm on average. Your baby’s skin may have discolorations, rashes, and dry patches. But this is all completely normal. After birth, your OBGYN will suction mucus out of your baby’s nose and mouth, and you will get to hear his or her first cry. A series of quick screening tests will assess his or her vital signs and responsiveness. Then, your baby will be physically weighed and measured.

How to know you are in labour

Learning the signs of labour before your due date could help you prepare for delivery and know when to seek help. Common signs include regular painful contractions, a “bloody show” (bloody mucus discharge), and your bag of water breaking.

Signs that labour may be starting:

Signs include strong and regular contractions lasting about 30 to 70 seconds and coming about five to ten minutes apart
Pain in your belly and lower back that does not go away when you move or change positions
A bloody mucus discharge (bloody show)
A sudden gush or ongoing leaking of clear fluid when your waters break.

If you experience these symptoms, contact your OBGYN team immediately to help you understand what exactly is going on. Do not worry or feel embarrassed about calling outside work hours.

What to expect during delivery

Delivery typically progresses through stages, and the pace can vary. The pushing phase (second stage of labour) can take from minutes to a couple of hours, and it may take longer for first time mothers and women who have had an epidural.

During The Pushing Stage

Your OBGYN will guide you on when to bear down during each contraction and when to pause or push more gently. After the baby’s head is delivered, the rest of the body usually follows shortly. Your baby’s airway will be cleared if necessary.

After Baby Is Delivered (Placenta Stage)

The placenta is usually delivered within about 30 minutes to an hour. You may still have close but less painful contractions that help the placenta move down. Your uterus continues contracting to return to its usual size.

What to expect after delivery

After childbirth, your body transitions into recovery. Common changes include breast milk coming in, belly cramps, vaginal discharge, and feeling more emotional or stressed. Many discomforts are normal, but postpartum checkups are important to make sure you are recovering well and to identify health concerns early.

If you feel worried about symptoms, do not wait. Contact your doctor promptly so you can get the right reassurance or care.

Nursing health after delivery

The postpartum period involves physical recovery, emotional adjustment, and learning newborn care. You will need plenty of rest and good nutrition during the first few weeks, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Rest and Recovery

Newborn babies often wake every few hours. Sleep when your baby sleeps when possible, and ask for help with tasks other than feeding and basic self care so you can recover.

Movement and Postpartum Exercises

Gentle movement can support recovery. Start slow and gradually increase activity. Once you are medically cleared, many guidelines recommend aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week, spread across the week.

Good Nutrition and Hydration

Eat a balanced diet with grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and protein. If you are breastfeeding, drink more fluids and keep water nearby to avoid dehydration. If you need personalised advice, speak to your OBGYN or a dietitian.

Breastfeeding Support

If you have concerns about breastfeeding or newborn feeding, ask your clinic about support options such as lactation consultants and practical guidance on latching and positioning.

Book An Antenatal Appointment

Whether you are early in pregnancy or approaching delivery, our clinic team is here to support your pregnancy care with structured antenatal visits, screening tests, routine scans, and delivery planning.

Book an appointment to discuss your pregnancy journey, your screening options, and your delivery plan with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Start Antenatal Care in Singapore?

Start as early as you can once pregnancy is confirmed, so your first visit can establish dates, screening plans, and baseline health checks.

How Many Antenatal Visits Will I Need?

This depends on your pregnancy and health concerns. In a healthy pregnancy, many women have around 8 to 10 visits, and some may need more.

What Happens at an Antenatal Appointment?

Blood pressure and urine tests are commonly done, and your doctor will review symptoms, baby’s growth, and routine scan timing.

When is the OGTT Done in Pregnancy?

In Singapore, screening for gestational diabetes with OGTT is commonly offered between 24 and 28 weeks.

When Is The Fetal Anomaly Scan Usually Done?

It is commonly performed around 18 to 22 weeks to check anatomy and screen for fetal anomalies.

Can NIPT Be Done Early in Pregnancy?

NIPT can be performed from 10 weeks as a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities.