Welcome to your second trimester!
Many women find the second trimester to be the most comfortable time of pregnancy. . . but that doesn’t mean you’ll feel like your old self again! Aches and pains are likely to start or continue as weight gain ticks upwards. You might also notice other changes, like gums that bleed easily when you floss – but try not to let that stop you from visiting the dentist, if you haven’t already.
You might also start to feel more anxious about the changes that come with having a baby. It’s important to take steps to manage your own stress – perhaps through chatting with other moms-to-be or staying physically active.
If you do feel stressed, anxious or depressed, talk to your healthcare provider. There may be things you can do to help. Being emotionally healthy when your baby is born means you will be able to care for and bond with your baby better. Building a strong bond is an important part of your baby’s development.
If you have any questions or concerns about your health or baby’s development during your pregnancy, give our Client and Community Support Call Centre a call.
Second trimester checklist: Getting in gear
It’s time to start looking into buying the basics for your baby. You probably don’t need as much as you think! Until you know your baby better, consider picking up just the essentials: a car seat, a safe place to sleep (like a cradle or bassinet), diapers, a safe place to give baby a sponge bath, washcloths and some basic clothing appropriate for the season.
- If you’re buying used or getting hand-me-down furniture, toys, playpens or sleepwear, there are safety features you should check for before buying.
- Research car seats. Key considerations include your budget, the size of your vehicle(s), how easy a seat is to use and the type of seat you want (infant-only versus convertible).
- Make a plan about how you are going to feed your newborn. Talk to your family about it. Women, partners and support people who have questions about breastfeeding may find it helpful to:
- Sign up for a prenatal program.
- Decide where baby is going to sleep, and in what. Rooming-in with parents on a sleep surface designed specifically for babies (and that meets Canadian safety standards) is safest.
Partners can:
- Help prepare healthy meals
- Continue to support mom and encourage her to stay active
- Attend doctor/midwife appointments and be present for any medical tests needed
- Become familiar with signs of depression or anxiety
Resources
- The Guide to Healthy Pregnancy
- Is your child safe? A guide to baby and child products from Health Canada.
- Health Canada’s Prenatal Nutrition Guide
- Health811: A registered nurse can answer your health questions 24-hours a day, seven days a week for free. Call 1-866-797-0000.
- MotherToBaby provides phone, email or live chat access to an expert for one-on-one counselling about the risk or safety of medications, alcohol, herbal products, chemicals, X-rays, infections, and chronic conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, asthma, epilepsy, depression) during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Here 24 Seven. 24-hour, 7 days a week help line providing intake, assessment and referrals for addictions, mental health and crisis support. Call 1-844-437-3247 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
- Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis. A 24-hour support and referral line for women experiencing physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse. Call 1-800-265-7233.
Looking forward? Read ahead to your third trimester >