What You Need During the First and Second Trimester of Pregnancy - Part2

Hi Guys,

So this post is a continuation of my What You Need During the First and Second Trimester of Pregnancy - Part1 post. Basically in that post I have listed down main essential things you need during your first trimester, if you haven't checked that out, click on the link above. In this post, I'll focus on the Second Trimester of pregnancy.

Second Trimester of pregnancy is basically the time you will enjoy most. Your morning sickness will start to wear off, you will feel less lethargic all the time, and you will feel your baby kick for the first time in the second trimester. I felt my baby kick (actually, the first time wasn't a kick, it was more like a nudge) for the first time when I was around 18 weeks as I was laying in bed quietly before I go to bed that one night, and it felt AMAZING and the baby has been kicking joyfully ever since.

Since you're most energetic during the second trimester, it is the best time for you to do a lot of research on pregnancy, birthing, things to buy and parenting. Based on my personal experience, here are some of the things you may need during your second trimester:

• Body Pillow

Most expectant mothers begin to feel backache in their third trimester. Unfortunately for me, my lower back started aching when I was only around 15 weeks pregnant! My bump wasn't even showing yet but boy, my lower back hurt when I woke up every morning as if I was just hit by a lorry in my sleep. I remember waking up one morning feeling so sore and I thought to myself, "That's it. I need to sort this problem out, pronto!" So, that day I texted my boss asking for a half-day off - I went around Midvalley looking for a body pillow. I wanted one which will support the whole body including giving ample back support. Ideally, I wanted a U-shaped pillow for complete support coverage. The ones they have at the stores in Midvalley were either too small or too expensive (above RM350!) I didn't want to spend too much money on the pillow as I was actually kind of skeptical of its effectiveness. I resorted to search for the pillows online and found Geboo Pregnancy Pillow. They offer C-shaped body pillow with Grade A fiberfill for only RM240. Texted them, made payment online and called my husband to pick-up the pillow from the seller in Shah Alam, and from that point onwards, the pillow has been my sleeping companion ever since!

Picture from Geboo Pregnancy Pillow website

• Register for Birthing Class

I really am  a nerd an advocate that "Knowledge is Power" so I would highly recommend for first-time-moms to attend birthing class. There are many birthing classes available in the market these days, your hospital may also offer birthing class for free. The one that I was drawn the most to is AMANI Birthing Class. AMANI is short for Assisting Mothers for Active, Natural and Instinctive birth. For me, the major plus point of AMANI class is that it is an Islamic-based childbirth education. Their primary goal is to teach utmost trust in Allah throughout the process of childbirth. I registered for AMANI class with Nadine Ghows, you can check her website at http://www.mygentlebeginnings.com/. The AMANI class runs for 5 consecutive Saturdays from 2.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m (please check with Nadine for exact schedules). She also holds other classes and doula services. So far, I have been to 3 out of 5 classes. InsyaAllah, I will write another blogpost to review the AMANI birthclass I attended after I give birth. If you have any questions or need any information prior to that, please feel free to drop a comment or contact me at the email address stated in the "About Me" section of this blog.

• Register for Pregnancy Yoga

Personally, I have not attended any yoga classes prior to my pregnancy but I am quite sure that Pregnancy yoga is not as "extreme" as the normal yoga. Pregnancy yoga is pretty much focused on simpler physical exercises or postures (asanas) to alleviate pains during pregnancy as well as to encourage better posture to ease labour, breathing and relaxation techniques. Pregnancy yoga promotes physical, mental and emotional wellbeing amongst expectant mothers. The best time to start pregnancy yoga is during your second trimester. I am lucky enough to know a friend who has a friend who is a prenatal yoga instructor, Deepa. Deepa comes to my house once a week for a one-hour private prenatal yoga session. During a prenatal yoga session, all you need is basically a yoga mat and comfortable workout clothes. I strongly recommend pregnancy yoga as I feel absolutely refreshed at the end of every one hour session. Fitfor2 at Bangsar Village II offers prenatal yoga classes or alternatively, just go on youtube - there are plenty of guided prenatal yoga videos available, for free!

• Read the Quran, Recite Prayers, Du'a and Zikir Frequently

If you are a Muslim, it is recommended to read the Quran, recite prayers and make du'a for yourself, your husband and your unborn baby. There are many Surahs in the Quran that are beneficial during pregnancy -Surah Maryam, Luqman, Yusuf, Yaseen, At-Taubah and Hujurat to name a few. Du'a and Zikir will help you ease the constant worry you have about your unborn baby. Listening to Quran recitals will also help the baby to get used to the Kalaam of Allah (words of Allah) and hopefully when the baby is born, he/she will be an obedient servant to Allah and uphold righteousness, insyaAllah.

• Belly Support

Belly Support is an amazing, multipurpose product. Not only it provides support to your growing belly, it also functions as "wardrobe extender" and helps avoid fashion faux pas moments. If you can still fit into your jeans but can't button 'em due to your growing tummy, the belly support will provide coverage to the crotch area. It is also very useful when your tops are a bit too short and you don't want to be exposing your tummy to the world. Expectant mothers around the world swore to its effectiveness in making them feel more comfortable, alleviate backaches and pains around the pelvic area.

• Make a Shopping Checklist and Start Crossing them Out

The most exciting part about being pregnant is shopping for your baby! Some mothers prefer to start shopping after the 7th month, however, it is good to be prepared. Make a checklist of the items you need for newborn and start doing your research. There are just too many products available in the market so you need to read reviews or go to the store to test them out in order to decide the products that satisfy your needs and requirements as well as your budget! And, speaking of budget it is also good to space-out your shopping through the months so that you don't feel like you have to spend a fortune at one go. Below is a checklist that I have developed based on my research and my own personal needs.

NEWBORN SHOPPING CHECKLIST

Clothing	Swaddle
	Receiving blanket
	Mittens and booties
	Hooded Towels
	Button-front clothes (rompers, pjs, short /long sleeves pants and short/ long sleeves shirts)
	Hats
	Baby tummy binders
	Baby soft shoes
Feeding	Nursing bras
	Breastfeeding pillow
	Breast pump
	Breast pads
	Nipple cream (lanolin-based is best)
	Loose shirts or button-downs for mum (easier for nursing)
	Feeding cloth / apron
	Feeding bottles
	Bottle / Food Warmer
	Steriliser
	Bottle brush
	Bottle Cleanser / Detergent
	Soothers / Pacifiers
	Breast milk storage (bottles / plastics)
	Bibs
	Handkerchiefs / Burping cloths
	Bottle drying rack
	Ice packs/ Hot packs
	Formula milk (for hospital, just in case)
	Water Flask / Hot water dispenser
Changing	Changing table / chest of drawers / organiser for diapers and toiletries
	Diaper / Baby Bag
	Diapers
	Baby lotion
	Baby wipes
	Nappy cream / Diaper rash ointments
	Ointment to keep umbiical cord clean
	Baby powder (Liquid form)
	Toys to distract baby
	Changing mat & travel changing mat
	Dirty-diaper bags (for travel)
	Diaper pail
Travel	Stroller & stroller toys
	Car Seat & car seat toys
	Handsfree baby carrier / sling
	Infant body support for stroller/car seat
Bedding	Cot (convertible bedside cot)
	Cot bumper
	Toys / Mobile for cot
	Mattress
	Fitted sheets
	Pillow & Bolster
	Blanket / Quilt
	Travel Cot / Playpen
	Secure Sleeper (by The First Years)
	Baby monitor
	Mosquito net (if you need)
	Baby Gym/Crib Mobile
	Rocking Chair / Bouncer
Bath / Grooming	Bath tub with body support
	Bath Toys like rubber duckie
	Bath sponge
	Baby shampoo
	Baby bath
	Vicks, minyak yuyi, minyak telon, baby oil / baby lotion
	Cotton buds
	Nail clippers
	Nose cleaner
	Thermometer
	Baby washcloths
	Detergent for Baby Clothes
For Mom	Maternity Pads
	Tanamera Confinement Set
	Thick Socks
	Bengkung
	Nonslip Sandals
	Kain batik
	Breastfeeding supplements

• Prepare a Hospital Bag Checklist

Though you won't be needing a hospital bag packed during the Second Trimester, it is always good to have a checklist to ensure that you won't miss anything out.


HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST

For Baby	Day clothes - Romper/Shorts and Button Top (3 days change/Different sizes)
	Pyjamas (3 days change/Different sizes)
	Mittens and Booties
	Baby Tummy Binders
	Swaddle Wraps
	Receiving Blankets
	Hat
	Baby going home clothes
	Diapers
	Baby Wipes
	Travel set toiletries (Shampoo, bath, oil, and ointments)
	Hooded Towel
For Dad	Camera and Chargers
	Handphone & Chargers
	One pair of change of clothes (Jeans and Tshirt)
	Some food - biscuits, dates, air zam zam
	Towel, comb, toiletries set, contact lense solution
	Make sure newborn car seat is installed
	Important docs/Pink Book
For Mom	Birth Plan/Notes/Prayers
	Travel toiletries set, comb, hair tie
	Towel
	Nursing Bras
	3 days change of clothes - Button front Tops for Nursing
	Socks and slip-on slippers
	Going home clothes (Think Kate Middleton!)
	Maternity Pads
	Maternity Underwears/Disposable Underwears
	Breast Cream
	Breast Pads
	Make up/Lip balm
	Maternity/Nursing Pillows
	Nipple Cream Charges and Handphone

 

I hope this post has provided expectant mothers useful insights into the wonderful Second Trimester of pregnancy. Fellow mothers, first-time-moms and moms-to-be out there are welcomed to share your thoughts and experience in the comment section.

Till Then, Keep Well.
Liv