Hopefully the second trimester is a little easier for your partner- she may be less nauseous and tired, however there are still things you can do to make her as comfortable as possible. Here are just a few suggestions…
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Continue to talk: While she may be more accustomed to the fact you are having a baby together and the changes it will bring, there are still questions that arise during this stage so it’s important to respect her feelings- even if you don’t always understand them yourself. Check in with her regularly to make sure she is feeling ok both physically and mentally as both are equally important at this point.
Discuss the drier topics: While they may not be the most glamorous of topics, it’s important to discuss budgets, finances, life insurance and wills. You may have some of these in place already but it’s essential that you have these reassurances when you have a baby. Make lists, set limits on what you want to spend each month in the run up to your baby arriving, make sure you have everything in place in case the worst happens. These are not the easiest of topics to broach but vital ones for the safety and provision of your family unit.
Impromptu shopping trips: You may be asked by your partner to pop out and get something they are craving or things to relieve the common side effects of this trimester such as constipation, heartburn, headaches and a stuffy nose. If she asks you for such a favour, do it for her- you know she would do the same for you! Just be sure that any medications she asks you for are recommended during pregnancy.
Avoid watching programmes and films that might make her anxious: Things like The Handmaid’s Tale, A Quiet Place and One Born Every Minute could be a recipe for disaster if your partner is already nervous about the birth so do a bit of background reading before putting your nightly viewing on the TV.
Don’t complain about the extra bed guest: Chances are your partner will have invested in a pregnancy pillow and while admittedly they are passion killers, they are providing her with the support and comfort she needs during this time to get a good night’s sleep. Avoid sharing any reservations you have about it- it won’t be in your bed forever.
Become an expert bath runner: If your partner is experiencing aches and pains and not sleeping as soundly as she would like, run her a bath with pregnancy friendly salts or bubbles and light some candles to try and help her relax before bed time. If she is put off by setting it up but could really do with a long soak- she will be eternally grateful if you have it all ready for her just to slip in and chill out for a while.
Be informed: Read the baby books with her and any additional info you get from the midwife. Any baby book worth its salt will break down each week so you will know what to expect and what is happening to your partner and the baby across those seven days. Why not set aside some time on the same day each week to read through this information and to research anything else that has arisen during that time?
Prepare questions together for midwife and doctor visits, even if she has to attend the appointment alone and write down any concerns or things you want to ask of the experts.
RELATED: Parenting: Seven must haves for your second trimester of pregnancy
The second trimester sees a lot of pregnant ladies with a renewed sense of wellbeing as their body has become more familiar with the changes taking place. You may feel less tired and nauseous and like you can do more now, so with this new boost of energy, it’s time to go shopping- here are just a few things that I found beneficial during this time…to read more click HERE
