Refreshing Practical Support Measures for New Mothers Given Reasons for Women to Delay Childbirth
Ministry of FinanceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether refreshed practical support measures will be considered to address reasons for delayed childbirth, as raised by Ms Elysa Chen. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah explained that factors like career goals are addressed through the Marriage and Parenthood package, which undergoes regular reviews to meet parents' needs. She highlighted that from 1 April, parents will receive 10 weeks of Shared Parental Leave to provide more time to adapt to parenting routines and bond with newborns. Additionally, polyclinics now provide practical antenatal and postnatal support, while Family Nexus sites and online portals offer parenting programmes and child health resources. The Government will continue exploring ways to strengthen support for parents to help them manage the changes and challenges associated with parenthood.
Transcript
102 Ms Elysa Chen asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in respect of the key drivers affecting women's decisions to delay childbirth, whether the Ministry will consider refreshed practical support measures, such as structural help with daily tasks and labour and postpartum guidance.
Ms Indranee Rajah: There are various reasons why women may decide to delay childbirth. These include prioritisation of other life goals like career and concerns about whether they can manage the changes that come with parenthood.
The Government provides a comprehensive Marriage and Parenthood package with support measures across areas, like housing, healthcare, parental leave and child caregiving, to help couples to start and raise families. Support measures are regularly reviewed to address the needs of parents. For instance, from 1 April this year, parents will have 10 weeks of Shared Parental Leave on top of maternity and paternity leave to give them more time to bond with their newborns and adapt to the new routines of parenting.
Pregnancy and labour, and the period after childbirth can be challenging to navigate especially for first-time parents. We have been strengthening support for them. For example, polyclinics now provide mothers with practical support in areas, such as antenatal education and post-natal recovery. Family Nexus sites also provide guidance on parenting programmes.
Parents can also visit the Families for Life Parenting Portal or Parent Hub to access a wide range of resources on topics ranging from pregnancy to child health, to parenting tips. We will continue to look into ways to strengthen support for parents.