Fashion Mogul Rachel Lim of Love, Bonito: “I had a C-section. I really wanted a hypnobirth with no epidural”

Rachel Lim of homegrown womenswear brand Love Bonito talks about her pregnancy, her style tips, and how she gave birth to her son Oliver

In this month’s ‘The Bump’ we chat to fashion mogul Rachel Lim of homegrown womenswear brand Love, Bonito. Rachel talks about her pregnancy (and her interesting cravings), her style tips (and why material quality is so important, especially when you are pregnant). Plus read on to find out why Rachel ended up having a C-section despite wanting a hypnobirth with no epidural! And get ready for some impossibly cute baby pics of little Oliver (or Ollie as Rachel affectionately refers to him) who is now 4.5 months old – get ready to go “awwwwww’!

Huge thanks to Irina Nilsson of Irina Nilsson Photography for the stunning photography!

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?

Honestly, I was shocked, fearful, happy and worried all at once! I took the pregnancy test and found out in April 2020 – it was during the Covid-19 circuit breaker. It was a stressful period for the business, so it took me a while to compose myself and allow for the truth to sink in!

Your funniest memory during the pregnancy?

Eating LOTS of beef!! That’s honestly one of the things I remember most, haha. I craved and consumed so much beef during my pregnancy, yum!

Any great books and resources that prepared you for your baby’s arrival?

I wish I had the time to read more!! But two books which came highly recommended (which I’d personally recommend too) – Hypnobirthing and The Whole-Brain Child!

How did you cope with work during the pregnancy?

I am immensely grateful for a pretty smooth pregnancy – where I was able to move about and remain active at work until the final few days! The first  trimester was tough – there were days where I had to just clear my calendar and take a few hours off to rest, but other than that, I really enjoyed my pregnancy 🙂

      Read more: Prenatal Yoga Classes in Singapore

What was the easiest trimester and which one proved most difficult?

Most difficult trimester was the first!! Everything else was pretty smooth – thank God!

Did you follow a fitness programme while pregnant?

I’ve been very active my whole life – but I was not able to bring that into my pregnancy as my doctor had wanted me to err on the side of being extra cautious and safe, as my placenta was in a lower than normal position. It was tough for me to go through a prolonged period of time without working out – but I tried to walk as much as I could!

Any fashion tips and tricks for maternity dressing?

Yes!! Getting to know my evolving body shape was pretty fun – I enjoyed mixing and matching outfits. One thing I realised was that as a pregnant woman, I was a lot more sensitive to heat and the fabric on my skin. So I was a lot more particular about the choice of materials of the outfits I picked! This also helped our brand Love, Bonito cater better to our maternity range, Embrace, and the fellow mommies going through this season of their lives!

What do you think every woman should know before getting pregnant?

Don’t be pressured into the choice of whether you should breastfeed. Read up about it, speak to different people around who have and have not, and make the decision for yourself! It does not matter at the end of the day if the baby is breastfed or formula-fed. Fed is best!

What did you struggle with most being pregnant?

I am very thankful to not face any emotional/mood swings or changes. If I had to choose, my answer would be that I struggled not being able to remain active throughout my pregnancy.

Name a mama you find inspiring and why

My dear friend and lawyer, Lorraine Tay (from Bird & Bird firm). I am incredibly inspired by her capacity to love and take care of her children (she has two girls and a son with special needs) whilst also being able to excel at work!

What are your thoughts about finding out the sex in advance and the idea of gender reveal announcements?

Haha, no real thoughts on this! It’s really up to the individual couple 🙂

What kind of birth were you planning to have?

I really wanted hypnobirth with no epidural! But because of my placenta condition, I had to go through a C-section.

       Read more: How to have an Intervention-Free Birth in Singapore

 

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What are your hopes and dreams for your baby?

I hope that Oliver will be a healthy and happy boy who will treasure and appreciate life and its different seasons 🙂

Thanks for your time Rachel, and thanks for the stunning pictures Irina Nilsson Photography!