Mummy-to-be must haves – Trimester #2

The second trimester is apparently the most pleasant where everything kind of settles down for a while, and all you’re left with is an expanding tummy. For me, this time round, it’s been one of the most annoying – not least because I can not for the life of me find any maternity clothes that fit properly. With my first pregnancy I didn’t have to worry too much because it was Summer and I was able to get away with floaty tops or stretchy maxi dresses. Not so much luck this time! However, there have been similarities to pregnancy number one by way of the return of my dreaded angular cheilitis and the all over itching which is almost unbearable sometimes.

Here are my mummy-to-be must haves for the second trimester..

Cereal biscuits/bars – Belvita, McVities.. hell even just a pack of Maryland cookies will be fine, just biscuits. Because.. well why not? Who doesn’t love biscuits? In seriousness though, these pre-packed portions are great for your handbag. If you need a bite on the go, they’re there. I usually take mine to work with me for my brunch and they get dipped in a lovely hot cuppa. Great little snack. However, I’ve just come across some little beauties from my visit to The Baby Show. They’re a nut and seed bar from Freida’s Pantry, and although they’re designed for women who are breastfeeding, if they’re good enough for you then, why not during pregnancy? Besides.. I was hungry and had run out of cereal biscuits! Yummy…

A decent maternity bra – because the ones that fitted me last time, do not fit me now! For some reason, I am already wearing a bra I used when I was breastfeeding Toby, let alone during pregnancy. Please please please make sure you get measured by a reputable company and ensure they get the fit right, because if you don’t.. squashed nipples aren’t particularly nice. You will need to be measured again for a nursing bra because once your milk comes in, you’re going to look like you’ve had some surgery!

Protection cream/Moisturiser – Especially in the Winter and if, like me, you’ve suffered badly with chapped lips or hands. I would highly recommend Sophie Le Girafe’s cosmetics line. They’re organic with no fragrances and they work! Good enough for a baby, so they’re good enough for you. You may have also seen that I suffered with angular cheilitis, both in this pregnancy and the last, and this helped work absolute wonders. If you missed it, you can read my post about it here!

A pregnancy pillow – life is just better when you’ve got one, speaking of which, I’ve been needing to buy one for so long now and still haven’t! I thought I might be able to pick myself out a bargain at The Baby Show but I think I must’ve completely missed them. I’ve been researching a few but just can’t make up my mind! Help required here…

Baby stock! – Start stocking up on everything you’ll definitely need! If you’re going to be using disposable nappies and wipes, get them while they’re cheap and on offer. If you’re going to go the cloth route, maybe buying a couple of month could spread the cost! If you know you’re going to be using certain bath time products get those while they’re cheap too. Ideally you’ll have already been doing this a little while anyway. Don’t forget the essentials.. and in all honesty you really do only need the essentials!! I would not recommend using a store’s “baby checklist” because 9 times out of 10, half the stuff on there is just so they sell a product. Look up a good one from an experienced mum on the internet.

Sanctuary 2 in 1 moisturising shower cream – I got this in a secret santa gift box at work and I admit, it’s not something I would’ve thought to buy for myself. However, this stuff is lovely! I wish there was a bit more of a fragrance to it, because I do like to come out of the shower smelling beautiful, but the creaminess more than makes up for it. Not only is it a body wash, it completely moisturises everything and has reduced my itchiness, especially around my tummy. A lot of people will probably start using stretch mark creams around now, if they haven’t already, and this is one of mine. I also tend to use Bio-Oil. I was really lucky and got minimal stretch marks on the top of my legs at around 37 weeks in pregnancy number one, but I’m not willing to chance it! Keep your skin moisturised and if it does stretch out, the effect should be minimal.

Tickets to The Baby Show – depending on when you’re due, this show runs 3 times a year; February and October in London, and May in Birmingham. Excellent for first time parents/grandparents as it’s an absolute treasure trove of products you’ll likely have never heard of before. You can try out hundreds of pushchairs in one place, get furniture and all the extra little bits you might not have thought about too. Not only that, it’s just a great day out. If you’re not “local” to London, I would definitely say go to Birmingham. It’s much easier in terms of parking/access and you won’t have to lug any bigger purchases across the capital (we begged one or two companies for delivery this time round!). For second time parents, it’s a little less exciting (well.. not for me because I’m always excited at anything baby related) but it’s a great place to pick up a few freebies, meet some of the people behind the smaller companies and grab a bargain or two!

Date night – if you’re first time parents, you really do need to make those last few weeks of it just being you and your partner count! Second time parents, you know how it can be.. quality time alone together can be hard to come by. Now that the second trimester is here, enjoy the date nights while you can, because I can only imagine how much less time we’ll have when baby number two is here!

What are your second trimester must haves?

J x