Trimester 2

If they haven't already, in this trimester everything starts to get a little real.

Your body changes and your bump may becoming more visible plus your baby is growing like crazy. Your energy (hopefully) picks up, and you're a little more in the 'swing of things' pregnancy-wise (doctors appointments, pre-natal supplements, informing yourself and starting to prepare for life with a baby.

This can also be the time (weirdly) that big life changes and decisions are made. Thinking about where you want to live and the life you want to provide for your new family can sometimes mean some big moves - whether it's career, house, country etc. Please know this is super common (based on my own experience and observation) - though, of course, try to be kind to yourself and communicate with your partner/friends/family about your needs. Maintaining as much consistency and minimising stress is usually for the best throughout pregnancy!

Body

You might be feeling a little bigger and less comfortable (even if you're not showing now). Your hips may be getting looser, your tummy a bit bigger, your boobs more sensitive and swollen, and you may start getting the (unexplained like so many women's conditions) linea negra - a dark line that runs from your belly button to your pubic bone. Hopefully, you've got a little energy back and are out of any nausea /morning sickness stage. You might even start feeling some little flutters/kicks from your baby - crazy stuff.

If you feel up to it, I highly recommend gentle walks, swims (the best), and gentle weights or stretching sessions to work through some of those niggles!

If you're experiencing more discomfort (back pain, hip pain etc.) I highly recommend seeing your specialist. If you have private health care you may be surprised at what is covered (pregnancy massage, physio etc.). If you don't - there are some great resources online to help stretch and strengthen. Of course - always speak with your doctor! Otherwise, I can also highly recommend pregnancy massages and potentially also acupuncture to support!

Finally - in case no one has told you yet - it's considered good practice to sleep on your left side (keeps blood flowing). Even if you don't have a big bump - it can be a good idea to practice now. Ditto - pelvic floor exercises (to strengthen / prepare for birth / and also try to avoid any issues with your bladder post birth). Fun, right? The squeezy app is highly recommended to support this.

Mind

If you haven't already, you might start telling friends, family, employers about your pregnancy around this time. This can be a super exciting (and/or overwhelming time) - particularly when unsolicited advice / experiences are shared. Feel free to smile, nod and continue doing whatever you want regardless. Your body, your baby! If it helps, I've put a few recommendations / resources to access in your own time.

You may also start thinking about childbirth (and parenting) and what this might look like for you.

If you're into it - I recommend researching an antenatal (childbirth and early parenting) class in your area. Led by a practiced medical professional, these are courses that help new parents understand what they're in for through childbirth and the early days/weeks of parenting. More importantly - it connects you with expectant parents whose children will be the same (roughly) age as yours, in the same postcode Trust me - this network is a big help for pregnancy, early baby days and beyond!

If childbirth is a big worry for you, I've also been recommended hypnobirthing classes, you could also look at a Positive Birth Course or get in touch with a recommended doula. This may/may not be your thing - but is worthwhile looking into to see what works for you

Soul

Depending on your personality type and personal situation, you may spend the second trimester planning like mad for what's to come (appointments, classes, nursery, baby showers etc.). As always - do whatever makes YOU happy. If I can venture one opinion - this is the last trimester you can fly without a doctors 'fit to fly' certificate / or travel comfortably. I highly recommend you take some time with your partner / family / friends (whoever you want) to rest and relax. It will feel surreal - but you really will miss having sleep-ins, uninterrupted time, reading books, doing whatever you want. Enjoy it, you deserve it.

If you're a planner - I've written lists for everything you could possibly need in the resources section. Go nuts :)

Fashion

Personally, I hated maternity clothing / brands. HOWEVER - sometimes it's a necessary evil.

At bare minimum, you will need

Maternity bras
Maternity sports bras
Some stretchy leggings
Button-down shirts (linen/cotton/breathable!)
Some oversized/comfy clothing for pregnancy, breastfeeding and early baby life. I promise you will fit back into your early clothes soon
Bumpsuit - this is a little controversial. But these (or a cheaper alternative) are amazing. You're all tucked in and cosy, and you can wear them with an oversized shirt, trackies, whatever you want. Short or long versions are both great.

Some great pregnancy influencers include:

Hailey Bieber
Monikh
Ashley Dainty
Candidly Chan
Hayley B Daines
Pernille Taeisbaek
Leias Fez
Alexa Chung
For the Creators
Laura Vidrequin

And instagram accounts / websites are

the memo
the inarra

I've included a full list with links in the resources section.

Admin

If you haven't started them already, in trimester 2 you will likely start regular scans / appointments with your GP and/ or hospital.

Make sure you have these scheduled (and blocked out in your calendar).

Same goes for any additional doctor / care appointments. Best to get these diarised sooner rather than later.

While you're feeling energetic (and before baby admin gets crazy) I would also suggest looking at daycare/childcare options near you (if this is your choice). In most centres, positions fill out quickly. I have included a guide for what to look for / ask in the resources section.

Finally - I highly recommend starting the conversation on baby names sooner rather than later. Some strange ones come up when you're hormone-addled in the third trimester!

Resources

1 / Listen

Australian Birth Stories - *Sensitive Content Warning* on this one. Interviews with Australian women on their fertility, pregnancy and birth stories. There's a very broad spectrum of interviews here - good to know what you're in for (I picked and chose the ones I was interested in)
Hypnobirthing Podcast interviews and resources for positive birth
Is it Normal - with Jessie Ware. A down-to-earth series talking about everything we don't talk about in pregnancy / motherhood
Two New Mums - Two British women/ friends talk about their parenthood journeys. Quite funny.
Darling Shine - Australian no bullshit pod on pregnancy and motherhood. Highly recommend.

2 / Watch

The Let Down - It may be a bit too close to home, but I found it pretty funny
Yoga with Adrienne is amazing - if you haven't already seen her videos on youtube, I highly recommend them. Her SEO is amazing so you can search for basically anything and she will have a video for it (search: prenatal, back pain, pregnancy, sore legs - ANYTHING). Also - her videos are FREE and she has a cute doggo Benji.
Kayla Itsines has some great pregnancy workouts also (and a few freebies to get a taster)

3 / Read

Obviously not all of them - but a few top-rated picks are below.

The Motherhood - Jamila Rizvi - I loved this one. It's a collection of essays from famous/noteworthy Australian women to their early pregnancy/motherhood selves. I dipped in and out of it (rather than reading all at once) but, as always, up to you
What to Expect: The First Year - Heidi Murkoff - This is a bit of a manual for what's coming post-pregnancy. Good to know what you may be in for.
Heartburn - Nora Ephron - I found this funny/outrageous/devastating as it gave me a bit of perspective and a very pragmatic insight into pregnancy. Trigger warning - it covers infidelity.
Nurture - Erica Chidi - A good pregnancy companion - part workbook, part textbook. It's a little US focussed but the principles all apply.
Nurture the Seed - Renee Jennings - Great for nutrition / recipes / life advice. A really gentle, lovely book.