Hopefully by now the morning sickness isn’t as bad. If you’re still having morning sickness stay strong mama, it shouldn’t last much longer.
Second trimester is commonly referred to as the best trimester. It’s often called the honeymoon phase because most moms are back to feeling normal. You’re able to eat again, and you have more energy. During the second trimester most moms announce their pregnancy, start showing and start to feel baby kick!
During your second trimester it’s important get things done that you may be to tired or uncomfortable to do during your third trimester. Here’s a list of things you’ll want to tackle, but please remember this is based on my experience. I am not an expert, but I hope this list can get you started.
1. Schedule your anatomy scan: This is typically done around 18 weeks. It’s where you will find out the gender of your baby, and probably the first time you’ll see your baby actually look like a baby.
We did not want to know the gender of our baby, but we still have the anatomy scan to make sure baby P was developing well.
Old wives tales gender predictions
2. Plan your gender reveal: If you’re finding out the gender you won’t want to wait long, so make sure you start planning as soon as you get your 18 week ultra sound.
3. Start thinking of names: You probably already have a couple in mind for each gender, start to narrow down your choices.
4. Start your maternity wardrobe: I’m not necessarily referring to maternity clothes. But clothes that you’re going to be comfortable in as your belly grows. Last thing you want is to not fit your pants, and then have to wait for 2 days for them to come in.
I never wore traditional maternity clothes. Due to the pandemic I was working from home, so I didn’t have to get dressed. If you go into the office that may be different. I stuck to simple outfits that I could still wear after pregnant. A lot of t-shirt dresses, and seamless workout sets. After a few weeks postpartum the workout sets were great as well because they were easy to breastfeed in and provided support on my belly and not to much on my breasts.
5. Start your baby registry: I used an Amazon registry. It was convenient for me to add items and easy for anyone to purchase for us. Click here if you’re ready to start your registry now, and make sure you check out my 0-3 month and 3-6 month amazon must haves when you do!
6. Start with stretch mark prevention: I used a combination of Earth mama products and homemade moisturizer. The key is to keep your skin moisturized. I did not have stretch marks on my belly, only my things but when my skin was dry it was uncomfortable. This is particularly important if you’re pregnant during the summer,
7. Think about maternity leave: How many weeks do you get? Will you take it all at once? Do you have FMLA? Do you qualify for short term disability? These are all questions you should know before you have your baby, and your HR department will be able to help you through it. There is a lot of paperwork involved, so don’t want until the last minute.
8. Start planning your baby shower: This will probably be done for you, but you’ll want to help out by providing a guest list, theme, date and letting them know where you’re registered.
9. Start your nursery: You have probably been thinking about this since the day you found out you were pregnant. Although you probably aren’t quite ready to decorate you’ll want to start thinking about your budget and theme. What space will you use? What furniture will you need to buy? Can you buy any items second-hand?
10. Plan your babymoon: Due to covid we could not plan anything extravagant. But we were able to get away for a quick beach trip and I’m so glad we did! Again, due to covid we didn’t leave for months after our daughter was born, so I am glad we had that quick getaway.
Sure, there is a lot to do but above all enjoy your pregnancy. Take all the photos and do all the pregnancy things! Our bodies are almost magically, they allow us to grow and birth a human and then get back to business.
What are some things you felt were important to get done in the second trimester? Let me know in the comments.
xo
