Not Your Average Second Trimester Checklist: Learn, Do, Decide

Feeling overwhelmed by everything to do during your second trimester? This comprehensive second trimester checklist breaks it all down into manageable steps, helping you stay organized and stress-free while preparing for your baby. From learning and decisions to prepping for postpartum, you’ll feel confident and ready every step of the way!

pregnant woman making notes in a notebook

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With so much to do to prepare for birth and a new baby, it’s a good idea to get started early. But it can be tricky to keep everything straight and not get overwhelmed with how much there is to do.

Enter my second trimester checklist.

When paired with my third trimester checklist, this list will help you get everything done without going crazy or missing anything important.

I’ve organized this checklist into 6 sections:

Learning and Decisions
Preparing for Birth
Getting Ready for Baby
Prepping for Postpartum
Taking Care of You
Fun

Remember: the second trimester is 3 months long. That’s a lot of time to get things done, so try not to stress about it.

Plus, I have lots of resources to help you along the way.

So without further ado, let’s dive into this second trimester checklist.

A Comprehensive Second Trimester Checklist

Many trimester checklists focus on things like what to buy, fun activities, or what tests your doctor will do. While those are important, I believe the top priority for moms-to-be is getting informed so they can make confident, intentional decisions.

That’s why my checklists always begin with Learning and Decisions.

Learning and Decisions

There’s so much to know about pregnancy, labor, and birth. And while your care provider is there to guide you, understanding your options and getting educated can make a huge difference in your experience.

It’s never too early to start learning! As you enter the second trimester, here are some key topics to explore and decisions to consider.

Decide about the anatomy scan and finding out gender.

Around 20 weeks, most women have a “full anatomy scan,” a detailed ultrasound lasting 30–60 minutes. A skilled sonographer checks your baby’s development, including internal organs and bones.

This scan can also reveal your baby’s gender, but you can choose whether to have them tell you or just have it noted on your chart.

While most providers encourage this scan, it’s not required—you can decide if it’s right for you. The scan can detect anomalies or growth issues, but most of the time everything looks great. Understanding the benefits and risks of the anatomy scan will help you make an informed choice.

Learn about genetic and other prenatal testing.

Various prenatal tests are performed at different stages of pregnancy. But many women don’t realize they have the option to accept or decline them. Some of these tests focus on your health, while others assess your baby’s health.

The second trimester—or sooner, if possible—is a great time to learn about the tests your doctor may recommend. Understanding the benefits, risks, and alternatives of each will help you feel prepared to make informed decisions when the time comes.

Know the facts about gestational diabetes and GD testing.

In the second trimester, most women will undergo a glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes. Before this test is offered, I recommend you learn about gestational diabetes, research alternatives to the typical method of testing, and decide how you will respond if your test indicates that you may have gestational diabetes.

If you already know you have gestational diabetes, know that you absolutely can manage it naturally and can likely still have the birth you want. You can read more in Gestational Diabetes? Here’s How Nutrition Changes Everything.

Learn about induction.

Induction might seem like a routine part of birth, but it’s rarely necessary and often comes with more risks than benefits for most moms. Take time now to understand why and when induction is recommended so you can make an informed decision.

Understanding this now helps you prepare for conversations with your care provider later.

Understand monitoring options and possible diagnoses.

Prenatal monitoring varies widely between different providers, so it’s important to know how your midwife or doctor typically monitors you and your baby throughout pregnancy. It’s also important to know what you can opt out of, like frequent ultrasounds or routine cervical checks.

I also recommend you educate yourself about common concerns doctors may raise—like macrosomia, growth restriction, fluid levels, and more—so you’ll feel prepared to handle these concerns based on evidence, not fear.

Preparing for Birth

Like with education, the sooner you start preparing for birth, the better. Here are some things you should do during the second trimester to prepare for birth.

Read birth books.

Books about birth abound and are an incredible resource for preparing yourself for birth, offering everything from practical tips to empowering stories. Some of my favorite birth books cover techniques for managing labor, understanding interventions, and trusting your body.

You can check out my list of top picks here. These books are worth diving into early so you have time to absorb their wisdom.

Start a childbirth class (if it’s a long one).

Classes like the Bradley Method can take several weeks to complete, making the second trimester the perfect time to start.

Looking for an online option? Beautiful One Midwifery’s online course is packed with valuable content for all stages of pregnancy, so you can learn on your own schedule.

Learn more about their course here.

Think about your birth plan.

A birth plan isn’t just a checklist of preferences—it’s an opportunity to reflect on what matters most to you during labor and birth. Take this time, before labor is pending, to think about your goals, values, and any concerns you want to address.

A well-thought-out plan ensures you feel confident and intentional when the time comes, even if you never give the paper to anyone.

Consider the big questions first, like, “Where do I want to give birth?” and “Do I want pain medication?”

Be totally honest with yourself about your vision and hopes for your birth. If your current plan doesn’t align with that, have the courage to make changes and get it aligned.

Start looking for a doula.

A doula can make a world of difference during labor, providing physical, emotional, and informational support. You can begin researching and interviewing doulas now or wait until the third trimester to finalize your decision.

Learn more about why doulas are amazing in this blog post.

Practice relaxation.

Relaxation techniques are invaluable for managing labor and daily stress during pregnancy. Whether it’s deep breathing, mindfulness, or practicing comfort measures, starting now helps you build confidence and muscle memory for labor.

Start doing labor prep exercises and stretches.

Gentle exercises and stretches can help prepare your body for the physical demands of labor. They also reduce common discomforts like back pain or tight hips. For guidance, check out my blog post on labor prep exercises or dive into my mini course for more in-depth training.

Getting Ready for Baby

While you don’t need to have your baby’s nursery ready quite yet, the second trimester is a good time to start gathering some of the necessary supplies for taking care of him or her. While most things will be on your baby registry (which we’ll talk about later), here are two things you may want to get a head start on now.

Start looking for baby clothes—free or thrifted.

While baby clothes are basically the cutest things ever, fight the temptation to buy everything new. Not only will you save a lot of money, but babies grow so quickly that they go through clothing sizes FAST.

Plus, you probably know people who have baby clothes they don’t need anymore. Hopefully, some have been offered to you already. If not, start your shopping by checking resale stores like Once Upon a Child and Kid to Kid.

You can also shop sales sections online at stores like Old Navy. And chances are you’ll receive lots of brand new clothes as gifts!

Get a free breast pump.

Did you know most insurance plans cover breast pumps? Call your insurance provider to see what they offer and start the process now to avoid delays. Even if you’re not sure you’ll use it, it’s a great tool to have on hand just in case, especially since it’s free!

Prepping for Postpartum

While postpartum may seem far away while you’re in your second trimester, there are still things you can do now to prepare. Here are two things to do now to prepare for postpartum.

Think about daycare.

If you’ll need childcare postpartum, now is the time to research options, tour facilities, and get on waitlists. Many daycares book up far in advance, so acting early ensures you have a spot when you need it.

Tell your boss and talk about maternity leave.

If you haven’t already, start the conversation with your employer about maternity leave. Discuss timelines, expectations, and any benefits you’re entitled to. Having this sorted now gives you peace of mind as your due window approaches.

If you’re planning to be done working once your baby arrives, now is a good time to let your team know so they can prepare to hire someone new.

Taking Care of You

As pregnancy goes on, it only gets more important to take good care of yourself. Your physical and emotional health affect your baby and your birth experience. So here are a few things to do during the second trimester to take care of yourself.

Eat protein.

Your baby’s growth accelerates in the second trimester, making protein essential for a healthy pregnancy. If you’re not sure where to start with protein or other nutrition, the Brewer Pregnancy Diet offers a simple framework for meeting your needs.

If you want more support, I dive deep into nutrition for pregnancy in my new mini course.

Start exercising.

Regular exercise during pregnancy can boost your energy, improve sleep, and strengthen your body for labor. If you’re not already active (or if you struggled to work out in the first trimester) now’s a great time to start prenatal exercise.

Check out my post on the best pregnancy workouts for help finding good sources if you prefer to exercise at home.

Get plenty of sleep.

Sleep can be harder to come by as your belly grows, but it’s crucial for your physical and mental health. Make rest a priority now to keep your energy up and your stress down as your pregnancy progresses.

Fun

Thankfully, some of the things to do during the second trimester are a lot more fun than some of the others. Let’s finish by talking about those fun things.

Tell people about your pregnancy.

Sharing your pregnancy news is such a happy milestone! If you haven’t already, choose how you want to tell your friends and family. Whether it’s a creative social media announcement, a heartfelt reveal to family, or just telling people as you see them, make it something that feels right for you.

Start your baby registry.

Creating a registry is part practical and part fun! Think about what you really need (and what you don’t) and start adding items. There’s no pressure to finish now—just get a head start so it’s ready before your baby shower.

Coordinate your baby shower (or nesting party).

Baby showers often happen in the third trimester, but now’s the time to start thinking about who might host and what you’d like to include. Share your ideas and let someone else take the reins!

If this isn’t your first baby, a nesting party can be a fun and practical alternative to a traditional shower. Invite all your friends to help you prepare—make freezer meals, clean toys, and get things ready for a new little one to join the family.

Keep having sex.

Pregnancy isn’t a reason to stop being intimate! Keep your connection strong with your husband by continuing to have some fun in the bedroom. (And enjoy the added relaxation and stress relief it can bring!)

Buy some maternity clothes.

If your regular clothes are feeling tight, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a few maternity essentials—you deserve to feel comfortable and confident, baby bump and all!

If you’re worried about the cost, get creative by repurposing pieces from your current wardrobe or check out resale shops for budget-friendly options.

Conclusion: A List to Help You Feel Less Stress

So there it is—your second trimester checklist. If it all seems overwhelming, just take a deep breath. Three months is a long time. Plus, this list isn’t meant to be a list of must-dos that you have to check off in order to be able to give birth.

The point of this checklist is actually the opposite—a tool to help you feel LESS stressed, since you don’t have to try to remember all these things! Download or print the PDF version of the checklist and use it to know what still needs to be done.

And, finally, try to enjoy this trimester. This is the favorite trimester for a lot of women. Don’t let the to-dos steal the joy.

Until next time,

Allison

Don’t forget the PDF checklist!

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Not Your Average Second Trimester Checklist: Learn, Do, Decide