Your Trimester 2 Checklist : 14-27 Weeks

Already in your second trimester? Good news! This is my favorite trimester in pregnancy, and may soon be yours as well.

Running from weeks 14 to 27, this is where you’ll start to gain energy and do more activities. You may find that you have become more active, more motivated, and can take on anything coming your way.

Although some pregnancy symptoms will remain, such as heartburn, back pain, fatigue, or other hormonal changes, you may be in a lighter mood and find more time on your hands to organize all the things you need before baby arrives.

Let’s get started!

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1. Getting Active

Let’s first start with getting active. This means working on your health, moving around, and maintaining a healthy body.

Becoming active helps you in numerous ways:

• Prepares your body for labor
• Helps your mind stay positive
• Increases your mood and energy
• Reduces pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, constipation, and muscle cramps
• Promotes blood flow

With these health benefits in check, you can try several pregnancy-safe activities that are fun and uplifting!

2. Start a Savings Plan

Did you know that according to a study in 2015, raising a baby up until the age of 17 costs over $230,000? Of course, this number is much bigger in present time.

The costs of baby products, foods, and services has increased and child care rates has gone up. It’s becoming harder and harder for the working middle class to raise a family but with a plan on-hand, you can avoid stressful financial situations that may occur in the future.

Gain access to my free resource library so you can use my savings template like the one below!

3. Plan a Babymoon (a honeymoon before the baby)

Once baby arrives, your lifestyle will change forever. Whether this baby is your first, third, or fifth, any new addition to the family will change the way you currently do things – how you spend time and how you spend money.

A babymoon is dubbed as a, “honeymoon before the baby”, where you go on vacation with your significant other before your little one arrives.

You can take a trip to that one beach you’ve been planning to visit, or even plan an escape to the mountains where it’s quiet and relaxing. The goal is to spend time somewhere that allows you to relax and recharge from all the stress and worries you’ve accumulated.

For babymoon ideas, check out these best 21 destinations from Travel and Leisure.

Not convinced if you still need one? Learn why here!

4. Start Your Baby Registry

It’s time to create your baby’s registry! To start, check out my top seven places where you can create a baby registry as well as receive free baby items and samples.

Baby registries are so much fun since they’re pretty much a wish list – except it’s for baby. Some stores give away what they call a “welcome baby box” with tons of goodies and discounts.

You can add specific items that you’d like your friends and family to buy, or include a gift card option for those who prefers to contribute cash. It also allows you to become familiar with baby products that would be helpful during baby’s first year.

Baby registry benefits vary by store, and it can be a little overwhelming but keep in mind that you don’t have to stick to one registry. If you wanted to sign up for all of them, you could!

Need ideas on what to add? Check out my list here with products that are less than $50!

5. Snag all the Mom Freebies

Baby brands also offer free trial boxes and packages for expecting moms.

Here’s a list of places where you can receive free items for baby:

• Free coupons, formulas, and belly badge stickers from Enfamil’s Family Beginnings
• Similac’s StrongMom’s Rewards with free formulas and up to $400 worth of benefits
• Free pregnancy sample box from Noobie Box

If you have any additional places that offers freebies, don’t forget to share with us by commenting below! We’d love to know more.

6. Start Thinking of Baby Names

If you already know your baby’s gender, you can start jotting down baby names.

When I had my daughter, my husband and I didn’t come up with a name until one week before labor and delivery. We were both last minute – and stubborn!

But if you don’t want to scramble last minute like us, brainstorm a list of names you like, eliminate some, and funnel it down to your top two names.

Need ideas? Here’s a list of baby names from A to Z.

If you also want to avoid the most popular names, the Social Security Administration has a list of top 10 boy and girl names that have been recorded each previous calendar year. Here are the 2020 top 10 popular names for girls and boys.

7. Update your wardrobe

Your baby bump is growing and so will your clothes! Make sure you remember to update your wardrobe with comfy and stretchy clothes that allows room for growth.

Check out these 17 stores where you can find maternity wear.

8. Learn and Search for a Doula (Optional)

“What is a doula and why would I consider having one?”

Doulas are trained professionals who can help you during and after childbirth. Doulas can provide physical and educational support as well as emotional encouragement. They can also empower pregnant women to have a more healthy and positive birth experience.

In preparation for labor and delivery, doulas can provide breathing and relaxation techniques, evidence-based information, labor positioning, and explain medical procedures.

What doulas don’t do include medical examinations, clinicals tasks, diagnose, or make decisions for you nor do they take over the role of your partner.

To find a nearby certified doula in your area, you can easily do so by using the DONA International’s database system.

9. Schedule a Dental Appointment

Your hormones are continuously changing and can affect your oral health. It may cause your gums to bleed, become sore, or have an infection.

To prevent the possibility of gum disease, schedule a dentist appointment and notify your provider that you are currently expecting. A routine cleaning is essential and can help you maintain good health throughout pregnancy.

10. Plan Your Maternity Leave

Are you a working mom? If so, then you may want to start planning how you’d like to take your maternity leave.

What are your company’s policies on maternity leave and what can you expect? Will you get paid during this time and for how many weeks?

Short-term Disability

Some companies provide short-term disability to employees for a certain number of weeks after childbirth – the number of weeks may depend on whether you had a natural birth or a caesarean section (c-section). Short-term disability may pay you a percentage of your regular pay (e.g. 60% or 100%) while on leave.

Family Medical Leave Act

Another thing you want to ask about is your company’s policy regarding the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA allows employees of covered employers to take unpaid and job-protected time off for specified family and medical reasons. However, there is a required criteria you must meet before you are eligible.

Personal Time & Vacation

For additional time off, you may also want to consider how much personal and vacation time you have available and whether you can use it during maternity leave.

Check with your company’s Human Resource department or ask your direct management for details.

Want to learn how to plan your maternity leave in 10 steps? I’ve shared my 10 steps you can take here!

11. Grab Your Free Breast Pump

By law, health insurance plans must provide you the cost of a breast pump – whether it’s a new one to keep or a rental.

All you have to do is call the number on the back of your health insurance card and ask the representative on how you can attain a breast pump. You can also ask your healthcare provider to refer you to a supplier for a breast pump.

Learn more about getting your breastfeeding benefits here.

12. Plan your nursery

Trimester 2 contains all sorts of fun – like planning your baby’s nursery. You can find cute and beautiful nursery themes online and plan how you want to set up the room. The crib, baskets, decorations, furniture, lighting, etc…

Some parents also take a liking to creating a designated changing station, where you have access to the essentials when changing baby’s diaper (diapers, wipes, creams and ointments, diaper pail).

I personally didn’t use a changing station and opted for the quickest and easiest place to change, which is the bed, but loved having a diaper caddy to carry around the house.

When planning your baby’s nursery, make sure you consider the items you need to babyproof the room. Examples include things to anchor furniture in the room, safety locks, outlet plugs, keeping cords away from baby’s crib, making sure lamps and lights are out of reach, etc…

For more on childproofing the nursery, check out this article from International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS).

Hello Baby…

If you grabbed the Hello Baby pregnancy journal, then these pages are your go-to!

• Naming My Baby
• Dental Appointment
• The Anatomy Scan
• My Nursery Plan
• Baby Savings Plan
• Mom Freebies
• Baby Wish List
• Baby Registries
• My Maternity Leave Plan
• Choosing a Doula
• Dream Journal
• Baby Shower Guest List
• Remembering My Baby Shower
• Notes

Don’t have the journal yet? It’s not too late! Check it out here.

If you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, don’t forget to hit the SHARE button or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear more from you!

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