Second Trimester Pregnancy Checklist

Congratulations for reaching the second trimester in your pregnancy. We know the first trimester can be a challenge since your body is going through various changes and most moms experience symptoms of extreme fatigue, morning sickness, loss of appetite, and hormonal fluctuations. In this article, we will be sharing our useful second trimester pregnancy checklist to guide you through the process of preparing for your little one’s arrival.

Second trimester pregnancy checklist

Familiarizing yourself with prenatal tests and appointments for second trimester

During this trimester you will most probably see your physician or gynaecologist every four weeks, unless you have a high-risk pregnancy, or experience certain complications that call for more regular check-ups. Usually you will have blood tests which are necessary for checking for gestational diabetes and glucose screening.

You will also undergo amniocentesis testing to check for down syndrome or other chromosomal defects, neural tube abnormalities, or genetic disorders.

This is also the time when you will be able to view your baby for the first time with an ultrasound.

Start thinking about whether you will be enlisting the assistance of a doula (labour coach)

Many moms opt for the services of a doula to assist them through labour and delivering their babies. A doula typically offers emotional support and other non-medical facets linked to your care. If you are considering using a doula, its wise to start searching for one during the second trimester.

Start looking through baby name lists

Moms usually already have a list of baby names they prefer. Now is the time to start making up a short list and consult with your partner about his preferences. Narrow it down to about ten names and eliminate the ones you like less. Keep going until you have agreed on names you both love.

Spend some alone-time together

Soon your days will be comprised of nappy changes, feeds, sleep deprivation, and all other things relating to having a new-born. Take advantage of this time before baby arrives to spend some quality alone-time together. Watch a movie, have a romantic dinner, or go for a relaxing picnic at the botanical gardens. Once you have a baby, you will have certain time restrictions and limitations as to where you can go. 

Consider if you want to know the sex of your baby

Many parents want to know the sex of their baby to plan better while other prefer to keep it as a surprise. 

Useful tip: If you opt for keeping your little one’s sex a secret, be sure to let your physician know in advance, so that they don’t blurt it out unexpectedly while looking at your test results.

There are also some fun ways to try and predict the gender of your baby, so if you are feeling adventurous try some of them out before your scan. You can also consider having a gender reveal party which is all the rage lately. 

Start doing financial budgeting

Every parent will tell you that having children does not come cheap and you have to be sufficiently prepared for it financially. After all, you want to give your children the best within your means. Apart from normal expenses like buying baby essentials and equipment, there are other financial responsibilities to factor in.

These are things like drawing up your will, purchasing life and disability insurance and health insurance, setting up a college fund or savings account to give your child some form of security when they enter the real world. And while you are at it, make some provision for out-of-pocket expenses in your budget too.

Scribble down some of your outlandish pregnancy dreams

It is no secret that many women experience strange dreams and that their dream world takes on a completely different form. This is partly due to interference in your dream cycle because you wake up for bathroom breaks, coping with heartburn, restless legs, backache, leg cramps, the list goes on.

Did you know that waking up during REM sleep makes it easier to remember your dreams? You might enjoy looking back at some point and read about the crazy dreams you had during pregnancy.

Start looking into prenatal classes

These sessions can become fully booked quite fast, that is why it is useful to start searching now. The class are different, depending on their approach. Some happen over the course of weeks, while others are a single class happening over one day. Your hospital might have birth classes on offer, but some moms prefer taking specialised classes elsewhere.

You can also consider free online birth classes like the one from Babycenter that you can watch at a convenient time and many times over. Many parents consider childbirth classes to help alleviate their anxiety about the upcoming birth and becoming parents for the first time. Other classes that can be incredibly helpful are lactation or CPR classes.

Start getting the nursery ready

Now we are getting to the fun part. Nothing beats the excitement of planning and start decorating your nursery for baby’s arrival. You might not finish the nursery during your second trimester, but at least you will have a head start. The third trimester comes with its own set of symptoms; therefore, you do not want to leave too many things to finalize during the last stretch of your pregnancy. Deciding on your décor concepts and nursery theme early can assist you with setting up your baby registry.

Setting up your baby registry

You can speak to other moms or friends about some ideas for your baby registry. Baby registries are useful since it helps to let family and friends know what you need, and you can start comparing big ticket items like baby strollers to see what you like. Remember to involve your partner as well.

Make sure to research the products you want to use, such as the best baby formula so that you can be specific in your baby registry. Search for reviews on formula and to find out answers to common questions moms ask like does Nan Pelargon make babies fat?

Planning the details of your baby shower

This is a useful time to start liaising with whoever is planning your baby shower to decide on the venue, date, invitations, theme, and guest list. All they need is some input from your side after which they will take care of the planning, and preparation side of things. 

Second trimester checklist to make life as a new mom a little easier

Parenting is not for the weak hearted. But thankfully there are loads of baby products and equipment that can make the transition into parenthood somewhat more relaxed.

Must-have items for convenience:

• Baby monitor.
• Diaper caddy.
• Baby wrap.
• Portable sound machine.
• Reversible stroller.
• Baby sleeping bag.
• Diaper cream applicator.
• Formula dispenser (with three sections preferably).
• Nasal aspirator.
• Food warmer (for keeping milk at the right temperature, ready for the next feed).

Start looking at childcare options

If you are a working mom that needs to return to work after maternity leave, you might want to start looking at your choices now. You can start by evaluating the pros and cons of nanny care, relative care, day-care centers, and home day-care to decide which one will work best for you. If you reside in an area where the demand for day-care centers are high, it’s worth touring your preferred day-care’s now and put your name on the waiting list so long, even if you’re not absolutely confident now about your decision. Once the time arrives, you will be relieved to have different options.

Speak to your employer and begin planning your maternity leave

If you have not spoken to your boss about your pregnancy yet, now is the time to do so and to start arranging your maternity leave. Evaluate your choices and benefits in advance. Its best to speak to your employer as soon as you know what your options are so that he can arrange for a temp during your maternity leave until you return. 

Second trimester checklist that is mom-focused

The second trimester is definitely an improvement from the first one. You will feel more energized and its time to start thinking about caring for your body. 

Exercising during your second trimester

Remember to take things easier and do not do anything extreme or new until you have checked with your doctor first. Some healthy exercising options for pregnancy are:

• Hiking
• Prenatal yoga
• Walking
• Prenatal exercise class.
• Biking.
• Swimming.

Consider joining a pregnancy exercise class

We highly recommend engaging in frequent pregnancy-friendly exercise. Joining a prenatal exercise class can be motivating to see it through and many moms find these classes an excellent opportunity to get support and bond with other expectant moms. Some classes that you can think about is Pilates, water exercising, a walking group, prenatal yoga class, or prenatal dance class. 

Start eating healthy, well-balanced meals

Now is the time to start taking care of your body and eat nutritious meals that benefit your unborn baby as well. It is good to get into the habit now because if you’re planning on breastfeeding, you must follow a nutritious and well-balanced eating plan to sustain both you and your baby and ensure nothing harmful is passed to your baby through your milk. I know you might not be in the meal to cook every day. Eat some of the foods you are craving but try not to eat unhealthy takeaways all the time. Rather pay a little extra for healthy foods delivery or buying foods that are already chopped and quick and easy to prepare.

Remember to moisturize every day

To keep those stretch marks at bay, you must moisturize every day in the mornings and evenings. Some moms prefer using stretch mark oil after showering in the morning and a cream or body butter at night. It is inevitable that you might not be able to avoid getting stretch marks all together, but keeping your body moisturized can help with reducing itchiness that is one of the symptoms of pregnancy.

Visiting the dentist

It might sound strange, but did you know that pregnancy hormones can impact your mouth, and not in a good way. About sixty to seventy percent of pregnant moms’ experience gingivitis while pregnant, which is a common symptom during your second trimester. Therefore, its worth booking a consultation with your dentist and follow a stringent home dental regime to ensure your mouth stays healthy. Your oral health can have an impact on your pregnancy. 

Start updating your maternity wardrobe

During this trimester you will already start noticing that your jeans and tops are a little tighter than normal. You will not be able to wear them for much longer. You do not necessarily have to invest in maternity clothes, but its worth spending money on clothes that fits comfortably and are not constricting. Loose dresses, T-shirts, leggings, and jumpsuits are incredibly comfy, and you can keep wearing most of them post-pregnancy.

Treating yourself to a prenatal massage

Let us face it, not all dads volunteer to massage your aching feet and back and some may offer to pay for a professional massage. Do take them up on this offer or make a booking yourself. Prenatal massages are excellent for helping you to relax and getting much-needed relief for common pregnancy aches and pains. Just make sure you use a masseuse that is trained for carrying out prenatal massages and will use essential oils that are safe for pregnancy to ensure you and the baby stays safe.

Planning a babymoon

Planning a babymoon for you and your husband to spend some quality time together does not have to be a grand affair or elaborate experience. It could be a nice weekend getaway just to relax and enjoy each other’s company before welcoming your new-born into your lives. Whether you manage to plan a weekend, week-long, or one-night getaway, do not hesitate and enjoy it. 

Begin lying on your side when sleeping

Many physicians and gynaecologists recommend that you should sleep on your side and not on your back mid-pregnancy. It is particularly advantageous to sleep on the left side to enhance blood flow to the placenta and decrease swelling. To get into a more comfortable position, put a under your hip, between your legs, or behind your back.

Begin with doing Kegels

Kegel exercises are incredibly useful for preventing urine leaks during and post-pregnancy, keeping hemorrhoids away, making intercourse more enjoyable, and enhancing muscle tone in your vagina. 

Conclusion

We hope you have found our article helpful and will consider doing some or all the items mentioned in our second trimester pregnancy checklist. Our last tip is to try and get as much of everything done during this trimester, so by the time you have reached your third trimester, there will not be a bunch of unfinished tasks to get done. You can focus on resting and preparing yourself mentally and physically for your little one’s arrival.