Now that the first three months of your pregnancy are over, you are probably feeling a bit more settled. Hopefully by now your morning sickness has subsided and you are anticipating feeling those first kicks. The second trimester is often coined the honeymoon period of pregnancy. Trust me on this and enjoy it.
Your obstetrician and midwives will help guide you through your second trimester, but here are a few things to expect.
Attend all antenatal appointments
Your obstetrician will guide you through all required antenatal appointments and screening tests you need during the second trimester. Some will be essential and others will be completely optional depending on your needs.
Do not be afraid to ask questions so you understand why those tests are done.
Book maternity ward tour
At St John of God Health Care maternity hospitals, we offer free maternity ward tours to ensure that you are familiar with the facilities before your stay.
Due to COVID-19, some of our maternity hospitals have paused their in-person tours. We recommend getting in touch with the hospital you are booked with to find out what their restrictions and policies are.
If in-person tours are running, we encourage you to book a tour to meet the midwives and get familiar with the surroundings. Alternatively, many of our maternity hospitals offer virtual tours on their website, which is a great option if COVID-19 restrictions are keeping you from visiting in-person.
Book parent education classes
St John of God Health Care hospitals offer comprehensive parent education classes covering many aspects from pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and early parenting. These classes can be popular so make sure you book early.
Again, be mindful of COVID-19 restrictions and speak to your chosen hospital about what they have available to assist you on your journey.
Make an announcement
Some wait until after the first trimester to announce their pregnancy to loved ones. This is often because the risks of miscarriage are reduced as the pregnancy continues.
You may also need to tell your employer about your pregnancy at this point, particularly if you work in a manual handling industry.
Finding out the gender
Decide with your partner if you would like to find out the baby’s gender. This can generally be seen through an ultrasound at about 20 weeks’. You can also choose not to find out until later in pregnancy or as a surprise at birth.
Go shopping
You still have a fair bit of time to prepare to welcome your new baby into your family but it is wise to use this time to get prepared.
Start writing a list of things you will need to buy. From maternity clothes and cots through to nappies and everything in between. Do not forget the all-important car seats.
Slow down
It is natural to want to paint the nursery or redecorate the house at this point. We refer to this feeling as “nesting”. But always remember to take regular breaks and make time to relax. Allow family and friends to help you. Social and family support is important so you don’t burn out.
Keep tracking your pregnancy
If you are taking photos of your growing belly then keep it up as you will really start to 'pop' during the second trimester.
Don’t forget to keep track of your baby’s movements and there are some helpful apps that can assist with this.
See our action list for the third trimester, or catch up on what we recommend you do during your first trimester.
