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Top Tips for the Second Trimester
Back to Baby Sleep
Welcome to the second trimester! Often dubbed the "honeymoon period" of pregnancy, weeks 13 to 27 are usually when the initial fog of morning sickness and bone-deep exhaustion begins to lift (sometimes). But while the books might promise a sudden burst of "glow," we know that every journey is different. Whether you’re feeling a new surge of energy or just navigating a new set of physical changes, below is our guide to what we wish we knew going into this trimester.
1. Harness the Energy Shift (Without Overdoing It)
As the morning sickness (hopefully) subsides, you might find you have a sudden burst of energy. This is a wonderful window to get things done, but not so much that you exhaust yourself.
- The Approach: Use this time for the "big" tasks like organising the nursery, research birthing plans, postpartum care etc.
- Plan B: If you have a day where you feel wiped out, don’t fight it. Growth spurts for your baby can happen at any time, and they require a lot of your internal resources!
2. Celebrate Physical Milestones
This is the trimester where things start to feel "real." For Baby: Around the 20-week scan, you’ll see how much they’ve grown. Often babies have their hands by their face in scans (the start of arms up self-soothing!) but with any luck you might get an ultrasound photo that makes out their profile. Let the mum and dad feature debates begin! For Mum: You’ll likely feel the "quickening" - those first tiny flutters or bubbles that will turn into kicks and turn your bladder into a trampoline. As your bump grows, you might also feel your centre of gravity, and everything else, shifting. Which leads us onto getting better sleep…
3. Prioritise Rest and New Sleep Positions
Your sleep needs are changing along with your shape. Now is the time to transition to side-sleeping, which is recommended for optimal blood flow to the placenta.
- Get Comfortable: Invest in a long body pillow or use a spare pillow between your knees to take the pressure off your hips and lower back.
- The Evening Routine: If you’re finding it hard to switch off, try a "digital sunset" an hour before bed. Swapping your phone for a book or a warm (not hot) bath can help signal to your nervous system that it’s time to rest. There will always be a lot of questions in pregnancy but the midnight google spirals can wait.
- This can be a nice time to add meditations or relaxing music for sleep. Listen on a speaker and let the good vibes reach your baby too who will be loving the calming frequencies as their auditory system develops.
4. The ‘Feel Good’ Edit
The Wardrobe
Instead of struggling with waistbands that pinch, treat yourself to a few maternity staples that celebrate your bump but can also be worn through post-partum. Oversized, button up linen shirts are great for pregnancy and breastfeeding if that is where your path takes you!
Self-Care
Whether it's a pregnancy-safe facial, a walk in the fresh air, or simply taking ten minutes to moisturise your stretching skin, these small acts of attention to yourself make a big difference in how you feel daily.
Gentle Exercise
Walking, swimming or prenatal yoga, can improve energy, sleep, and back pain (as long as your provider hasn’t restricted activity) and do wonders for your mental health at the same time.
5. Support Your Mind and Body
As the "to-do" list grows, it’s seemingly natural for us to let our mental wellbeing slip to the bottom.
- Be Kind to Your Brain: "Pregnancy brain" is very real! If you’re feeling a bit more forgetful than usual, write everything down and laugh it off. We’ve all done weird or crazy things in pregnancy, it’s what binds us!
- Connect: Talk to your partner, friends, or midwife about your head space and feelings. Sharing the excitement and the occasional nerves can help you feel more supported.
- Prepare at Your Own Pace: Start looking into things like safe sleep environments and the different types of swaddling. Feeling informed about what comes next can help reduce any "pre-baby" anxiety and start forming your list of what you might need for the third trimester.
A Little Note for the Journey
The second trimester is a bridge between the survival mode of the first and the physical intensity of the third. It’s a time to breathe, connect with your body, baby and start to prepare your nest.
Your body and brain are doing amazing things right now - there is more excitement still to come! ✨
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