I remember noticing even in my drug-induced haze that my husband’s trundle bed was empty again. I had given birth to twins a few days earlier, but the state of my health following two blood transfusions and my Caesarean had kept me in hospital a little longer than standard. Our baby girls were held up in the neonatal intensive care unit downstairs and, after what felt like being run over by a truck and missing my newborn children, one could say I felt quite needy.
My mother was in the room when I started to get infuriated. How could he leave me in this emotionally vulnerable state? Why did he keep “ducking off” when I needed him most (and to be fair, I literally did need him as I couldn’t go anywhere without a wheelchair). To my surprise, my mum was quick to jump to my husband’s defence, excusing him for exiting multiple times while I lay irritated and sore in bed.
After unleashing my anger on him, it turned out my husband was busy arranging for our first family picture to be framed, a personalised card and buying me a push present. Suffice it to say, I felt sheepish, embarrassed, and humbled when given these precious items.
For those unaware, a “push present” is a gift for mothers after enduring pregnancy and birthing—push being for labour and well, pushing. But c-section mums need not feel left out, the present part is still very much available to you. While it’s become more of a recent trend, the gesture felt incredibly special and I truly felt so appreciated by my husband. My push present (in my case presents) were two Cartier Love bangles, which I will give to my girls when they turn 21—a family heirloom, if you will.
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Cartier Love Bracelet
There are many elements that qualify the famous Cartier Love Bracelet as an ideal push gift. Aside from the very appropriate moniker—it is all about “love” and having a child is love like no other, it is a commitment piece on behalf of the wearer in that it can only be removed with its own gold screwdriver. Designed in an oval shape with two connecting arcs, this “handcuff” is supposed to hug one’s wrist as comfortably as possible. Conceived in the 1970s in New York, the Love Collection is timeless and can be personalised with engraving on the bangle. This iconic accessory comes in a variety of iterations—including white, rose and yellow gold and some inlaid with diamonds and other precious stones. Shop the Cartier Love collection here.
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Artnash Bespoke Jewellery
Why not take your congratulatory act of generosity to the next level by creating something tailor-made for your partner? Singapore-based jewellery brand Artnash specialises in crafting custom-made designs for clients in line with their imagination and budget. From rainbow eternity rings, to gemstone earrings set in gold or platinum—you can express your sentiment in a unique way. Built almost entirely from word-of-mouth, Artnash sources materials ethically and responsibly, with core values in mind. With over 100 years of family expertise in the diamond wholesaler and jewellery manufacturing business, fourth-generation certified gemologist, designer and diamond grader Aarti Sonawala consults patrons one-on-one to manufacture exactly what they want.
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Tiffany & Co. HardWear Wrap Necklace
Nothing says sentimental like a little blue box. Famous for engagement rings and a go-to for milestone birthdays, a gift from Tiffany & Co. is sure to be something special. While a heart pendant or T motif might come to mind, if you’re after something statement-making, it’s all about the HardWear Collection. The double wrap link necklace plays with proportion thanks to the weighted accent of a ball juxtaposed with a signature Tiffany lock. Both bold and beautiful, this chain will embolden the bearer whose decolletage it adorns. The spirit of the women of New York City is reflected in the HardWear Collection and the good news is that it’s extensive with many options from earrings to bracelets to match for subsequent offspring. Shop the Tiffany & Co. HardWear collection here.
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Longines La Grande Classique de Longines Watch
The end of a pregnancy culminates in a birthday. A birthday is the ultimate marker of time in one’s life, hence an elegant and well-crafted timekeeper is a pertinent and practical push present. Counting actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kate Winslet and Zhao Liying as ambassadors, many an elegant woman has embellished her wrist with an enduringly timeless timepiece from Longines. The luxury watchmaker based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland since 1832 is steeped in history. La Grande Classique de Longines was launched in 1992 and remains a distinctive classic by virtue of its slender profile. Powered by a quartz motion, with a La Grande Classique de Longines, both time and style are of the essence. Shop the Longines La Grande Classique here.
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Carrie K Pearl Bar
Local artisan jewellery label Carrie K offers a dichotomy of delights by marrying the soft and natural with pearls and the brawny and bold with metal chains through their Pearl Bar. The signature Carrie K. Duō mechanism allows for unique customisations and interchangeability to suit any mood or taste. Rocker, interlinked, organic and industrial chains can be paired with pearls sourced from farmers all over the word. Versatility is key with styling options aplenty for fashion aficionados, capped off with accessories to give this classic material a modern twist. For founder, designer and silversmith Carolyn Kan, jewellery is all about commemoration. Nothing like a string of pearls to honour a mother’s endurance. Shop the Carrie K Pearl Bar here.
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Harry Winston Diamond Tennis Bracelet
As the old saying goes, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And if a Harry Winston piece were a person, you would consider them your number one. Elizabeth Taylor and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis have dazzled in the famed jewellery house’s exquisite diamonds. Harry Winston once said, “A good diamond… is a possession to be prized for generations,” thus qualifying a push present from the luxury brand as a legacy item. See it as an investment if you will. As for the sport reference? Thanks to former world number 1 tennis star Chris Evert losing her diamond bracelet mid-match, we now refer to this style of accessory as a “tennis bracelet”. To be gifted a timeless row of brilliant diamonds from Harry Winston, well, I would call that game, set, match. Shop Harry Winston diamonds here.
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Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Earrings
The moment you bring life into this world, it is marked as one of the most significant, if not special days in your life. You could say it’s your lucky day. So why not celebrate with a four-leaf clover? The Van Cleef & Arpels talisman symbol from the Alhambra collection, first unveiled in 1968, is a timeless token of good fortune. A veritable charm for the ages, Vintage Alhambra earrings in yellow gold and malachite will mesmerise even the most sleep-deprived jewellery connoisseur mammas among us. The epochal clover has been donned by mothers of the royal and regal variety – the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Princess Grace of Monaco have both used this charm to compliment. Classic and classy, fit for the most discerning of clientele. Shop the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection here.
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Chloé Alphabet Ring
Known for its undemanding feminine aesthetic, Chloé is for the romantic and effortlessly chic woman. Nothing says individualised like a monogram letter of your own name initial; Chloé’s signature Alphabet Ring is the go to. Crafted out of brass, the gold tone is sure to make a statement. Signet rings are typically associated with tradition and family legacy, making this option an ideal push present as you expand your bloodline. With the collection, you can opt to stick with a single letter or even spell out a word with a stack across your hand. Shop Chloé jewellery here.
