The second trimester is the perfect time to get the majority of planning and preparation out of the way. While the first trimester of pregnancy brings morning sickness, expecting moms are usually feeling better by this stage. It’s a good idea to get most of the work done before the third trimester, when tiredness often strikes.

Here’s a pregnancy checklist filled with important things you’ll need to get and do so you aren’t caught off-guard when the baby arrives!

Things You’ll Need

• Buy comfortable maternity clothes. By the second trimester you’re probably finding it more difficult to fit into your favorite jeans. Buying maternity clothes will make your life much simpler and more comfortable. High waisted dresses, tunic tops, and jeans with a fabric, stretch waist are some good go-tos.

• Focus on sleeping better. Your belly may be making sleep uncomfortable, leaving you feeling tired throughout the day. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to invest in some good body pillows and consider sleeping on your side. Both offer more back and belly support which can make you more comfortable. You can also try sound soothers, which can help you relax at bedtime.

• Think about childbirth classes. These can be really helpful, especially if you’re expecting your first child. The classes are designed to prepare you for childbirth by minimizing your fears and helping you understand what to expect. They’ll teach you things like the signs of labor, techniques for coping with pain, and more. Plus, you can meet other expecting moms.

How to Start Preparing for Your Newborn

• Start making your baby registry. Your new baby will require a ton of supplies, making a lot of them easy to overlook. Starting a registry is an easy way to remember all the things you need, and give family and friends the opportunity to search for your list and get the items as baby shower gifts. This will also help you avoid getting duplicate items.
  

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• Plan your shower. You’ll want to start planning your baby shower early so friends and family are able to attend. Start by picking out a venue, creating a guest list, and sending out invitations with the locations where you’re registered listed.

• Buy these big items. While you’ll get a lot of items for the baby from friends and family, there are a few items you should buy ahead of time to be prepared. Shop around for a safe crib and mattress. You may want to consider a crib that converts into a toddler bed, and then a twin bed as your child grows. You’ll also want to get a comfortable rocking chair, since you’ll be spending a lot of time there! It’s also never too early to start stocking up on diapers.

What You Should Put on Your To-Do List

• Schedule your mid-pregnancy ultrasound. By this point in your pregnancy your doctor will probably be able to determine the sex of your baby. Accuracy will depend on a few factors, including how your baby is positioned. You and your partner should decide if you want to know the sex at the appointment, or keep it a secret until your delivery date. You should also continue prenatal visits as suggested by your doctor. At this stage, you’ll typically have a visit every 4 weeks, unless your doctor suggests otherwise.

• Decorate the nursery. Now is the time to buy sheets, curtains, shelves and any other items you need to decorate your nursery. If you know the sex of the baby, you can customize accordingly. Otherwise, you can use gender neutral color schemes like green and yellow, or white and brown. Position your crib, changing table and rocking chair where you want them.

• Research and make your birth plan. Having a birth plan for your delivery day is a way to make you feel more organized, calm, and in control. It helps you, your partner and your doctor decide how you’d ideally want the delivery to go. The decisions include under what circumstances you’ll want pain medication, who you’ll have with you in the delivery room, and what you’d like to happen in case of any complications.

• Plan your maternity leave. Tell coworkers and your boss your exciting news! After that, you can begin discussing maternity leave.

While there are a lot of things to consider during your second trimester of pregnancy, it’s important to remember that you’re halfway to the finish line. Avoid stressing over all of the things you need to get done–your partner, obstetrician, family and friends are there to help you. Contact Contemporary Women’s Care today if you have any questions about your pregnancy.

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