Congratulations, you have made it past the first lap of pregnancy; what you need now is a second-trimester checklist that would guide you on what to do and what not to do as you begin the next three months of your pregnancy journey.
Let’s start with a vital question, what is the second trimester? In pregnancy, each trimester is three months. The first trimester is the first 3 month of your pregnancy and the second trimester, is the second lap of pregnancy.
It usually runs from the 13th week to the 26th week of pregnancy. It is also called the “middle trimester,” and sometimes the longest trimester. The second trimester is when many women will feel active, eat more, and feel energized.
It is vital to utilize this time for the myriads of preparations and planning you will have to make before the baby arrives. The second trimester is also when the baby bump grows bigger and becomes increasingly noticeable.
The second trimester starts from the 4th month of pregnancy. In the second trimester, you will also experience a noticeable weight gain, and because the baby will begin to grow bigger and you will start eating more.
Common Characteristics Of The Second Trimester
As the baby grows bigger and you experience changes in the body, new symptoms and changes begin to come up because there are recent changes in hormones.
So, as you say goodbye to nausea, vomiting, apathy, and other first trimester symptoms, you should also welcome new signs like increased appetite, food, cravings, constipation, heartburn, skin changes, etc.
These are the most common second-trimester symptoms. The first is an increased appetite for food also popularly called pregnancy cravings.
Other second trimester symptoms are backache, shortness of breath, round ligament pains, pelvic pains usually due to weight gain and hormonal changes, changes in skin pigmentation and color, dry/flaky skin, skin rashes called melasma.
In addition, weight gain, leg cramps, increased vaginal discharge, nasal congestion (in some women), stretch marks, the Linea nigra becomes pronounced.
You also have increased breast size, dizziness, susceptibility to infections, dental problems, Braxton hicks contractions, bleeding gums, and a host of other symptoms.
The key to managing these symptoms is to always go for your prenatal check-up with your doctor and ask for appropriate remedies if the symptoms are too overwhelming to bear. Eating right is also super important.
It helps you with the proper nutrients to be healthy and have a healthy baby too. Good food also helps you combat the second-trimester symptoms and helps you have a healthy weight, which is essential for pregnancy.
Second Trimester Symptoms Not To Ignore
The second trimester is called the “honeymoon period” in pregnancy because some symptoms are usually more manageable. However, there are some symptoms that you shouldn’t overlook and take very seriously.
The symptoms like backache, waist pain, pelvic pains are expected because of the increasing wealth gain and the hormonal changes.
However, when they become pretty intense and unbearable, you shouldn’t leave them unattended. Instead, call your doctor or head to the hospital.
Other symptoms not to ignore in the second trimester are:
1. Excessive weight gain (especially within a short time)
2. Bloating in the face and legs
3. Sharp pelvic and abdominal pains
4. Intense cramps
5. Bleeding
6. Itching in the vagina
7. Itching all over the body
8. Red spots or rashes all over the body
9. Severe headache
10. Extreme backache
11. No observed growth in the belly bump
12. Fever and vomiting, gushing out of fluid from the vagina
These symptoms are tell-tale signs that things are not going well in pregnancy.
Precautions To Add To Your Second-Trimester Checklist
To ensure that you and your baby are in good health and safe during the second trimester, you need to take these precautions to ensure smooth sailing in your second trimester.
I suggest adding it to your checklist of Do’s and Don’ts in your second trimester. They consist of the following.
1. Eat an adequate diet
2. Avoid extreme exercises like skydiving, burgee jumping, etc
3. Avoid too tight clothes
4. Avoid smoking/drinking alcohol
5. Avoid the intake of too much coffee and other caffeinated products
6. Avoid too much surgery stuff
7. Ask your doctor and research the foods you should avoid
8. Take your prenatal vitamins
9. Eat fruits and veggies
10. Avoid stress
11. Rest
12. Avoid taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription
13. Take lots of fluids
14. Do pelvic floor exercises
What Happens To The Baby During Second Trimester?
On the outside during the second trimester, everyone is acutely aware that the baby bump gets bigger and there are symptoms for the mother but what happens to the baby internally?
If you’re a curious cat like me, then this session is most definitely for you. In the second trimester of pregnancy, the baby’s organs begin to develop, and the baby begins to mature.
The baby also starts to carry functions like hearing and swallowing. He also begins to grow hair. Later in the second trimester, the baby begins to move and develop a sleeping and wake-up pattern. You start noticing this from the baby kicks.
What Would A Second Trimester’s Doctor’s Visit Include?
As with every stage of pregnancy, you have to steadily be visiting a doctor for regular checkups. These are usually known as ante-natal or pre-natal checkups depending on your location.
There are certain test that are carried out in every stage of your pregnancy and the second trimester is no exception. During your prenatal visits to the doctor, you should expect the following:
- Periodic checks of your blood pressure.
- Weight check.
- Ultrasound scans.
- Checking the baby’s movement
- Checking the baby’s weight
- Checking the baby’s size
- Screening for diabetes
- Screening for a congenital disability and genetic screening
- Screening for amniocentesis
- Questions about your general health
- Health talk
- Answers to any questions you have
What Should I Do During My Second Trimester?
The second trimester is when most women are gradually coming back to themselves, becoming active, and getting off the morning sickness symptoms.
It is also a time when women eat more and are more active. Therefore, it is essential to utilize this time effectively and plan, executing the numerous things you have to do before the baby arrives.
There are a couple of things you can include in your second-trimester checklist. Here are some of them.
1. It’s Time For Maternity Clothes
Whether you want to or not, maternity clothes are a must have as your bump becomes noticeable. This is because as your belly bump is already expanding, your previous clothes will no longer fit and even if they do, why ruin them?
An obvious advantage is maternity clothes are more comfortable and that’s a fact. Soft fabrics and room for movement, what else could you ask for?
While shopping for maternity clothes, it would help if you didn’t buy so much at first because the belly bump will keep expanding, and they may no longer size.
You can get variety of clothes which are not restricted to roomy gowns. They usually consist of maternity tops, joggers, tank tops, maternity leggings, maxi tops, high-waist skirts, baggy shorts, gowns, etc.
2. Book For Prenatal Visits
If you haven’t already registered in a prenatal clinic, visited a doctor, or planned a birth class, you should make it part of your second-trimester checklist. At your doctor’s office, you will be required to do an ultrasound scan to see how the baby is growing.
You will also perform a series of tests like your height, weight, blood pressure, PCV, urine test, etc., and you will be scheduled for other appointments with the doctor for check-ups and monitor you and your baby.
You will also be given health talks, tips, and tricks to cope during the second trimester which will take into account your allergies, health conditions and medical history.
3. Baby’s Gender Check
While some of us don’t like to ruin the fun of the surprise, some of us like to plan appropriately. The second trimester is an ideal time to check for your baby’s gender.
Knowing the gender of the baby can give you tips on stuff to buy when shopping, designing your nursery, etc. and even give you ideas on baby names to check out for. So if you are interested in knowing ahead of time, add this to your ultimate second trimester checklist.
The chances of getting a better result are higher because the baby has grown bigger, and the sonographer will find it easier to detect the baby’s sex from the scan.
4. Go Baby And Mama Shopping
If you ask me, the best period to start shopping for yourself and the baby is the second trimester. Take your time to buy things for your baby. If you’ve done the gender reveal, you should start shopping immediately.
In the second trimester start preparing for baby and mama shopping. You should plan to start buying tons of stuff for you and your baby during the shopping; baby essentials, maternity bras, reusable water bottle, pants, hot water bottles, maternity clothes, etc.
You can take note of deals but make sure to not shop out of over excitement and end up buying things you and the baby won’t need.
For more clarity on things to buy that should take priority, check out the ultimate hospital bag checklist for delivery to see what other essentials you can get during baby and mama shopping.
5. Start Exercising
In the second trimester, many women are prone to be more active than before. It may probably because the morning sickness has waned, and your pregnancy cravings has kicked in.
This is a necessary time to start up an exercise routine to fall within the ideal weight, which is 18.5 to 24.9 BMI. Setting up an exercise routine should be part of your second-trimester checklist.
There are great exercises suitable for pregnancy that you can try out to keep you on track. Be sure to discuss with your doctor before starting up an exercise plan.
It is essential for those women who have complications in pregnancy. Your doctor will approve a suitable, appropriate exercise plan.
Exercise is essential to keep you within the ideal weight because if you aren’t within the ideal weight, complications like difficulty in labor may result.
Some pregnancy suitable exercise in the second trimester includes prenatal yoga, dance, swimming, squats, walking, etc.
6. Start Planning Baby Names With Your Partner
It may seem a bit easy to pick out, words but once you start the name finding process, you will see that it isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
When you check online, you will get myriads of names that may appeal to you, and narrowing it down to a particular one may not always come easy.
The second trimester is an ideal time to start the name finding so that you have enough time to think it through. Then, probably before the end of the second trimester, you and your partner should have found the perfect name choice for your little munchkin.
Please note that is also perfectly normal to not get a suitable name by the end of second trimester. Some parents have said that the name comes to them when they see the baby.
So do not fret like I did when I couldn’t find a name I deemed appropriate for my child. My mom did suggest that I was overreacting but I didn’t take it lightly when she did. Dramatic much, I know.
If you are finding where to get the perfect names for your baby, check out beautiful names for babies you could love.
7. Moisturize More
Dry skins, pimples, stretch marks, rashes, all these are some symptoms of pregnancy that you may experience due to changes in hormones.
It is essential to take care of the skin to keep it supple, moisturized and greatly minimize the chances of stretch marks. Because as the belly bump expands and you experience weight gain, you have higher chances of experiencing stretch marks if the skin is dry.
And this can be discomforting for some people. There are tons of excellent stretch mark creams that you can use to moisturize the skin and other parts of the body as early as possible.
Try or organic products but be careful of products you may be irritated by. This is only to minimize stretch marks, rashes, and other skin conditions during pregnancy.
You can check the post how to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy. There are tons of invaluable tips to help you have a stretch mark-free pregnancy as much as possible.
8. Set Up A Baby Registry Checklist
If you are a first-time mom, you will need lots of things for you and your baby. Of course, you may not be able to get them all by yourself when gifts from family, friends, and other loved ones come in.
For your friends and family not to buy too much of the same thing or buy those things which you do not need, you need to have a baby registry checklist, which contains the list of all the baby things you will be needing.
The baby registry checklist is essential in baby showers, and the second trimester is the best time to start preparing one.
There are many baby registry checklists from big shops like amazon that you can use as a template to make a baby registry checklist that is unique to you.
If you are clueless on how to go about preparing the baby registry checklist, read the baby registry checklist where I pointed out a step-by-step guide to help guide you to prepare your baby checklist.
9. Get Started On Preparing The Nursery
Seeking the ideal choice of things that you will need to plan the proper layout, arrangement, and completion of your nursery? Trust me; it’s not something you want to do at the end of your 3rd-trimester.
The second trimester is ideal because you have a lot of time to pause and breathe when you get tired or lose inspiration and continue again when you want to.
If you have checked your baby’s gender, you may decide to go with the gender to create a theme for the nursery. Of course, we know that most conventionally go for pink for girls and blue for boys. You may not decide to go that route, though.
A neutral theme may suit you, so go ahead planning the nursery depending on the unique theme you have in mind. Remember that setting up a baby nursery does not take a day, so do not feel pushed to rush it. Instead, take your time.
Be sure to take a rest when you are tired, involve your partner in the whole purchasing process, and set up as you won’t be able to do everything on your own.
It would be best if you were not one to move heavy furniture, paint, climb ladders to set up lighting or pictures; your partner should do these.
Setting up a nursery should be part of your second-trimester checklist. If you start early, you should finish up before or during the third trimester.
10. Time To Start Planning For The Baby Shower
Your baby shower, gender reveal, and any other party would come sooner than you think, so why not start planning for it now? If you push all these to the 3rd-trimester checklist, you may not be exhausted and get overwhelmed.
Also, backaches, cramps, waist pains, and all may set in, and you may not have a properly planned baby shower, so make it part of your second-trimester checklist.
When planning the baby shower, things you should consider are: when you intend to have the baby shower, when to send out invites, those you want to invite, the theme of the baby shower, your baby registry checklist, venue, etc.
You do not necessarily have to do all the groundwork. Once you have gotten the above points covered, you can get one or two friends to carry out the planning for you.
11. Get Pregnancy Must-Haves
Pregnancy must-haves or pregnancy essentials are essential to have during pregnancy because they make life easier.
You may not really see the need for them during your first trimester, but once you start growing a belly bump and adding some extra pounds, they become super helpful, so you need to make them part of your second-trimester checklist.
So at the beginning of your second trimester, plan to start buying things like; body pillow, reusable plastic or glass water bottle, belly bands, Kinesio tapes, a firmer mattress, maternity clothing.
You could also thick-soled shoes that are comfortable and light in weight, preferably in size bigger than your regular size, thongs, stretch mark cream, etc.
12. Financial Planning
Yes, this is a super essential part of your second-trimester checklist as you will be doing lots and lots of financial commitments shortly.
From buying the baby gear, you purchase household essentials, buying pregnancy must-haves, hospital bills, maternity stuff, after birth things, and lots more.
You need a budget for all these not to end up overspending or underspending. So sit down with your partner, and you both should estimate what you intend to buy and plan financially towards it.
If necessary, you may have to start putting some money away as a savings or register for a health insurance scheme to make the bills less expensive.
In addition, it would help if you started thinking of preparing a will, a college savings account, or other accounts to financially prepare for the child’s future, you can find some tips here.
13. Start Preparing The Older Children
If you haven’t already announced the news of your pregnancy to your kids, now is a time to do so. Please give them a heads up on what will be expected and involve them in the planning process.
Explain to them what having a baby will mean, that it could be demanding, but it’s worth it. It will ensure they get used to the idea and not be too overwhelmed when the baby arrives.
It would help if you started preparing early for or any other person who would care for them when necessary. It would help if you also started noting some of the things they need to get ready like school stuff, their groups or clubs, their household stuff, etc.
14. Plan Your Maternal Leave
Now is an ideal time to tell the news of your pregnancy at your workplace. If you haven’t already, do so. So, make it part of your second-trimester checklist.
Also, plan to start preparing for maternity leave or paternity leave as the case may be.
I know that the necessary documentation and paperwork will be done mainly during the third trimester, but you can start preparing them down now.
Know about the time you will need to present the notice, the necessary authorities to give, the number of days it will take for the leave, the essential paperwork to present, how you will be paid during your maternity leave, and any other information needed by the organization.
15. See The Dentist
The hormonal changes can affect different body parts in pregnancy, and the teeth are not left out. Therefore, you need to have a regular dental check-up so that you do not end up with plaques, cavities, gingivitis, and other tooth conditions.
So, make an appointment with your dentist to get your teeth checked and scaled and polished if possible. This should be part of your second-trimester checklist.
16. Monitor Your Baby’s Movement
The baby moves from about the 8th week of pregnancy, but you may not start feeling it until about the 18th – 22nd week, which falls in the second trimester.
Part of an indication of your baby’s health is when the baby moves constantly. As part of your second-trimester checklist, you should learn to monitor your baby’s movement.
You can do this by using a stethoscope or fetal heartbeat monitor or just placing your hand on your belly bump to feel the movement.
The first movement is called quickening. It is like little blebs or kicks. The movement will become stronger with time, and you will hear it.
Learn to monitor your baby’s heartbeat and movement; the baby’s heartbeat should be about 15 to 25 heartbeats per minute in 2 hours, as this is essential for your baby’s health.
17. Start Sleeping On Your Sides
As your baby bump grows bigger, it is essential to switch positions when sleeping. The best way to sleep now should be on the side because if you lie on your back, it can affect the flow of oxygen to the baby.
Sleeping on your side will help reduce the risk of stillbirth and other birth complications. It may not be easy for some who are of the habit of sleeping backward (like me).
You can use body pillows and other regular pillows to help you adjust.
Conclusion
I know you found these second-trimester checklists super helpful. I trust you will use this list for a smooth second trimester while proceeding to the third trimester.
As always remember to always consult your doctor regularly during your pregnancy. Don’t chuck any pain or uninformed discomfort to paranoia.
I hope you have a smooth sailing second trimester, best wishes.
Save this for later mama! 