At around halfway through your pregnancy you will start to feel your best. Use this second trimester checklist to take advantage of this and be productive.
Getting To The Halfway Point In Your Pregnancy
Now you are feeling better after the first trimester the second trimester is probably the time in your pregnancy when you are going to feel your best. It is the best time to relax, spend quality time with friends and family, and to take some time away before the strain of being heavily pregnant in the third trimester.
Just don’t relax too much because there are still plenty of things that you need to be doing in preparation for the birth of your baby. This second trimester checklist will help you to get everything done.
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Your Second Trimester Checklist
- Start looking into birthing classes – These classes help prepare you for the labor and birth and they get busy so it’s best to start looking now. Check with your healthcare provider for a list of classes near you. If it is more convenient for you there are birth classes available online.
- Create your baby registry – You may not want to tell people what to buy you but I guarantee you that they will ask. Creating a baby registry takes away that awkwardness. You are still giving people plenty of choice when they are choosing a gift for your baby and you know it will be something that you actually need.
- Get some exercise – Regular gentle exercise is great for you and your baby. Walking, swimming, and stretching are all safe during pregnancy. You could also sign up for a pregnancy exercise class which will help you stay motivated and allow you to meet other expectant moms or try some prenatal yoga.
- Start bonding with your baby – It’s never too early to begin bonding with your baby. Once you are 23 weeks pregnant your baby can hear sounds outside of the womb. Getting your baby used to the sound of your voice is a great way to bond. Make this a part of your daily routine. Try singing, telling them stories, or even just talking about your day.
- Brainstorm baby names – No second trimester checklist is complete without mentioning a gender scan. Now is the time to start thinking about naming your baby. Brainstorm names you like and then try to get it down to a shortlist. Get your partner to make a list too and then cross reference the list to make your final shortlist. We used a baby name book for inspiration when we compiled our lists.
- Have a well balanced diet – After all the nausea and sickness of the first 12 weeks you should be starting to get your appetite back. Eat a healthy well balanced diet make sure you include all basic food groups. Don’t forget to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and try to avoid these foods.
- Take a vacation – The second trimester is the best time to have a babymoon. You should be feeling better after the nausea and sickness of the first trimester and you won’t be feeling the strain of third. It’s also safe to fly as long as you have no complications. This is a great time to take a break and prepare yourself for what’s ahead.
- Start planning your baby’s nursery – There’s a lot to think about here. Colour schemes, themes, bedding, and furniture. It’s going to take a while to get this all put together so you need to start planning now. It’s also a good time to choose a crib even if you don’t want to build it just yet.
- Go buy some maternity clothes – Even though your bump won’t be that big yet you may find that you are more comfortable in maternity clothes. You don’t need to go overboard just yet, you can always buy more as your bump gets bigger.
- Start doing Kegel exercises – Kegels are simple exercises that can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. They help to keep the muscles of the vagina toned and they can help to prevent urine leakage after you have given birth. They also help lower the chance of you getting haemorrhoids. Find out how to do kegels here.
- Decide if you want to hire a doula – A doula is a trained labor coach who will be there to guide you through the labor and delivery. They will offer non-medical care as well as emotional support. The second trimester is the time to start looking for a doula to ensure that you find a good match for you.
- Visit the dentist – The high levels of hormones in your body can affect your teeth and gums. Your gums could bleed and you have a greater risk of infection. Take a trip to the dentist for a check up to make sure there are no problems and for a thorough clean and polish.
- Decide if you want to know the gender – No second trimester checklist would be complete without the mention of a gender scan. As long as your baby is positioned correctly it should be easy to see the gender of your baby at your next scan. You just need to decide if finding out is the right thing for you. Don’t allow yourself to be pressured by friends or family members if you decide that waiting until birth is the right thing for you.
- Start looking into childcare – I know it’s still a long way off but if you are going to require childcare you should start looking into it now. Childcare providers get busy and there are often waiting lists. Do plenty of research to find the best option for you. You could also ask friends and family for recommendations.
There certainly is a lot to do but with this checklist your second trimester will be a productive and rewarding one.
