What Should You Prepare for Your First Pregnancy? A Clear Starter Guide for Malaysian Parents (2025)

For many mums and dads, the first pregnancy is a mix of excitement and worry.
Body changes, antenatal check-ups, food choices, sleep, baby’s development, birth plans… when information comes from everywhere, it’s easy to feel lost about where to start.

To help first-time parents begin this journey with more clarity, HiParents has put together a 2025 starter guide to pregnancy in Malaysia — focusing on the most important and practical points you really need to know.

1️⃣ First Trimester (0–12 Weeks): Confirming Pregnancy & Basic Setup

✔ 1.1 Your first antenatal visit

After a positive pregnancy test, the first step is to visit an obstetrician & gynaecologist (O&G) for an ultrasound scan. Your doctor will usually:

• Confirm that the pregnancy is in the uterus
• Check if a fetal heartbeat is visible
• Estimate your gestational age and due date (EDD)
• Start a pregnancy health record for you

In Malaysia, common options include:

• Private O&G clinics
• Private hospitals
• Klinik Kesihatan (government clinics)

If you experience bleeding, strong abdominal pain or severe discomfort, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

✔ 1.2 Daily folic acid

Most O&G specialists in Malaysia recommend taking around 400–800 mcg of folic acid daily from pre-conception until at least 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.

✔ 1.3 Things to be careful about in early pregnancy

During the first trimester, your baby’s organs are forming. It’s a good idea to:

• Avoid raw or undercooked meat, seafood and eggs
• Avoid deep-pressure massages or reflexology that targets certain points
• Reduce high-impact or contact sports
• Stay away from smoking, alcohol and second-hand smoke
• Check with your doctor before taking any supplements or herbal products
• Keep a regular sleep schedule and avoid long-term late nights

If your nausea and vomiting are so severe that you can barely eat or drink, do consult your doctor — it’s better to get help early.

2️⃣ Second Trimester (13–27 Weeks): The “More Comfortable” Phase

✔ 2.1 Feeling baby’s movements

Most mums start to feel baby’s movements (quickening) between 18–22 weeks. Regular movements are one of the signs that baby is doing well.

✔ 2.2 Detailed scan (anomaly scan)

In Malaysia, most doctors will arrange a detailed fetal scan between 20–24 weeks. This scan looks at:

• Major organs and structural development
• Placenta position and appearance
• Amniotic fluid levels
• Any obvious structural concerns

This is one of the most important scans in pregnancy, so it’s worth planning for both time and budget.

✔ 2.3 Getting basic pregnancy items ready

The second trimester is when many mums feel more energetic. It’s a good time to prepare:

• A pregnancy pillow to support better sleep positions
• Comfortable maternity clothes and undergarments
• Pregnancy-safe vitamins and supplements (follow your doctor’s advice)
• A simple way to record your pregnancy journey (an app or journal)

If you experience back pain, pelvic discomfort or posture issues, you may wish to consult a physiotherapist who has experience working with pregnant mothers.

3️⃣ Third Trimester (28–40 Weeks): Final Preparation for Birth

✔ 3.1 OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test)

Around 28 weeks, many expectant mums are scheduled for an oral glucose tolerance test (often called the “sugar test”) to screen for gestational diabetes. If you have risk factors such as family history or higher BMI, your doctor may monitor you more closely.

✔ 3.2 Choosing where to give birth

Common delivery locations in Malaysia include:

• Private hospitals
• Government hospitals

It’s helpful to ask about:

• Estimated costs for vaginal birth and caesarean birth
• Room types (single, double or multi-bed)
• Whether birth partners are allowed in the delivery room
• Additional fees for anaesthetists, paediatricians, etc.
• Where your baby will stay after birth (nursery or rooming-in)

✔ 3.3 Packing your hospital bag

Some common items to include:

• IC, medical card and antenatal records
• Loose clothing, warm outerwear and slippers
• Toiletries, maternity pads and disposable underwear
• Baby clothes, hat, mittens and swaddles
• Newborn diapers and wipes
• Phone charger, water bottle and light snacks

(HiParents will share a more detailed “Hospital Bag Checklist” in a separate article for you to save and tick off.)

✔ 3.4 Understanding “signs of labour”

As you approach your due date, watch out for:

• Regular contractions that become stronger and closer together
• Bloody show (a mix of mucus and blood)
• Water breaking (a gush or continuous trickle of fluid)
• Baby’s movements suddenly becoming much less than usual

If your waters break or you notice unusual changes in baby’s movements, head to the hospital labour & delivery ward for assessment.

4️⃣ Typical Pregnancy & Birth Costs in Malaysia (2025)

Costs vary by hospital and region, but here is a rough guide:

• Antenatal visits (private O&G): About RM80–RM250 per visit (including basic scan)
• Detailed scan: Around RM180–RM350
• Vaginal birth (private hospital): Around RM4,000–RM9,000
• Caesarean birth (private hospital): Around RM8,000–RM15,000
• Birth in government hospital: Roughly RM100–RM500 (very budget-friendly)

Before deciding where to deliver, it’s wise to ask the hospital or clinic about their fee structure so you can plan your budget.

5️⃣ Common Emotional Experiences in a First Pregnancy

✔ 5.1 Worrying about baby’s health

“Is my baby okay? Will the scan find something wrong?” These thoughts are very common and do not mean you are overthinking — they’re part of learning to become a parent.

✔ 5.2 Stress from physical discomfort

Nausea, fatigue, poor sleep and a heavier body can all affect your mood. Talking about how you feel, sharing with your partner and seeking help from professionals can be much healthier than keeping everything inside.

✔ 5.3 Fear of labour and the unknown

It is completely normal to feel nervous about labour. Understanding the birth process, attending antenatal classes and discussing your birth plan with your doctor can all help reduce fear.

6️⃣ Three Key Points for First-Time Dads

✔ 6.1 Attend antenatal visits together

Listening to the doctor’s explanations together and seeing baby’s scan photos can help both parents feel more connected and informed.

✔ 6.2 Share the load at home

Pregnancy affects both energy and mood. Helping with chores, running errands and offering practical support can make a big difference to how mum feels.

✔ 6.3 Learn basic newborn care together

Skills like burping, changing diapers, swaddling and soothing can be learnt in advance. When both parents are prepared, life with a newborn tends to go more smoothly.

7️⃣ Helpful Pregnancy Resources

Besides advice from your doctor, nurses and other healthcare professionals, some online platforms can also help you organise information more clearly.

❤️ A Gentle Note from HiParents

Pregnancy is a long journey with many changes. You don’t have to understand everything at once, and you don’t have to be a “perfect” mum or dad.

What matters most is this: take care of your body and mind, eat and rest as well as you reasonably can, and reach out for professional help when you need it.

HiParents will continue to share practical family-focused content — walking with you from pregnancy, to newborn days, to preschool, enrichment classes and beyond.

This article is for general information and sharing purposes only. It does not constitute medical or professional advice. For any health concerns, please consult a qualified doctor, nurse or relevant healthcare professional.