Labour Experience at SGH
🍼 Part 2: Labour, Delivery & Overall Experience
📋 Birth plan & pain management
I’m very afraid of pain 😅 but I still wanted to try a natural birth after hearing a friend’s experience without induction. I shared my preferences with Dr Dev. However, as he was not available on my EDD, he documented everything clearly and handed it over to Dr Rachel and the delivery team.
⏰ Labour & delivery (1 Nov 2025)
Around midnight, I had regular contractions and wondered if it was real contractions. Hence, I started using the 5-1-1 rule.
The 5-1-1 rule means contractions every 5 minutes, each lasting about 1 minute, and continuing for 1 hour straight. This is a signal that it’s time to go to the hospital. By evening, my contractions met the 5-1-1 rule and I also noticed the bloody show (blood discharge), so I knew I would likely deliver that day.
I took a quick shower, cleared my bowels (just in case 😅), had a simple dinner, and grabbed a Grab to the hospital with my husband. We usually walk to SGH, but we didn’t want to risk it as labour could happen anytime and the contractions were getting pretty intense.
At admission, I was already 4 cm dilated and was sent straight to the delivery suite. My contractions intensified quickly. I did consider epidural, but before it could be set up, I was already 10 cm dilated, so no epidural was needed.
The doctor guided me on when to push based on my contraction rhythm. The sensation felt like “going to poop” 😆, and the team reassured me that this was completely normal. I was amazed that from entering the delivery ward to baby being born, it took me only about 2 hours.
💛 Overall experience
I’m very thankful for my positive experience at SGH. The doctors and midwives were calm, professional, and supportive throughout.
Hope this helps any mummy considering SGH 💛 Feel free to ask if you’d like to know more!
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👉 Part 3: How Much I Paid at SGH (Prenatal to Delivery) coming next
From my own experience and talking to other mums, one of the biggest concerns in labour is pain and how to manage it effectively. The 5-1-1 rule mentioned here is a reliable guideline to distinguish true labour from early contractions — this really helps in deciding the right time to head to the hospital without rushing or delaying unnecessarily. At SGH, I found that clear communication with the doctors and midwives was key. Even though my primary doctor was unavailable on the estimated due date, proper handover to the delivery team ensured continuity of care. This emphasizes the importance of having a clear birth plan but also being flexible with medical personnel changes, which are fairly common in hospitals. Choosing to try for a natural birth with minimal interventions was something I strongly wanted despite fears about pain. The absence of epidural in my case was a surprise due to fast progression, but for others, having an epidural option can be reassuring. From speaking with SGH staff and other patients, they provide balanced information on pain relief methods, from natural coping techniques to epidurals and other medications, allowing personalised choices tailored to each woman's labour progression. Another point that stood out was the feeling during pushing. Many mums describe it as a strong urge to have a bowel movement, and it’s encouraging to hear that staff normalize and support mothers through this. Labour can be unpredictable and intense, but being supported by calm professionals creates a positive and safe environment. Walking to the hospital is common, but during active labour, especially with stronger contractions, opting for a paced car ride (like using Grab) can reduce stress and physical strain. It’s practical advice to consider depending on proximity and labour signs. Lastly, the overall positive experience at SGH reflects their commitment to holistic maternal care — from emotional reassurance to efficient labour support. For anyone planning delivery there, having a clear birth plan, understanding labour signs like the 5-1-1 rule, and maintaining open communication with the care team help make the journey smoother and more confident.