How to Make the Most of Your Second Trimester (that’s the fun one!)

The second trimester is the time to truly enjoy your pregnancy, mama. Here’s how to make the most of it!

Pregnancy is a waiting game. You probably don’t need us to tell you that, mama, but it’s true! Most of the first trimester you’re just waiting for the nausea and morning sickness to pass, and to reach that point where things feel “official” and you can finally start sharing the news. So in that sense, the second trimester feels like a breath of fresh air, and yet birth is still six long months off in the future!

So what to do in the meantime? Here are 7 ways you and your partner can make the best use of your time in the second trimester, mama!

Line up a Confinement Lady or Postnatal Massage

While it may seem early to do this, popular confinement ladies and massage therapists often get booked up months in advance. (Our pregnant doctor columnist, Cheryl Kam, reported booking hers as soon as she had a positive pregnancy test!). The good news is, there are plenty of services out there so you’ve still got time to do your research to find out what services suit your needs and then go from there.

Enroll in Prenatal Fitness Classes

There are myriad benefits to exercising throughout pregnancy, but typically Prenatal Fitness Classes start in the second trimester around 18-20 weeks (before that you’re generally ok to stick with whatever routine you were already doing). Whether you’re keen on yoga, Pilates, or a more active bootcamp style, Singapore’s got tons of options to keep you fit and focused, mama!

Research Birthing Classes

From traditional parenting classes at many of the major hospitals to Bradley Method and Hypnobirthing techniques, you’ve got a wide range of antenatal class options to acquaint yourself with the basics of childbirth. These classes generally start around 28-30 weeks (with the idea that you want the techniques rather fresh in your head when you go into labor!), but as with everything else, it’s worth booking in ahead of time.

Book Your Babymoon

We find the name a little cheesy, but there’s no denying you should make the most of getting away just as a couple for a little R&R before your lives are irrevocably changed forever (take it from us: savour your last child-free flights!). We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to fab nearby Babymoon destinations, just bear in mind that most airlines restrict flying between 28-34 weeks (it varies a bit by carrier, but always have a doctor’s note just in case).

Take Hospital Tours

This is one of the surprisingly fun perks of giving birth in Singapore, mama! With hotel-like facilities and the best quality medical care in the world, maternity hospitals in Singapore are on the whole outstanding, whether you opt to go the private route or the public/subsidized route. But like a good hotel, you’ll need to book your room well in advance and will also want to make sure your options sync up with your insurance coverage. A nice perk is all the schwag they usually give you when you take the tour!

Research Strollers & Nursery Décor

While we don’t think there’s much point in filling your apartment with baby stuff months in advance, it doesn’t hurt to start researching big-ticket items like strollers, car seats and cribs, not to mention make a mental list of all the gear you’ll need when bubs arrives. And what’s more fun than a little Pinterest indulgence when it comes to planning nursery décor?!

Research the Baby Bonus and a CDA Account

There’s much to love about having a baby in Singapore, but near the top of the list has gotta be the fact that the government will contribute up to $6,000 toward your baby’s Child Development Account (CDA)* — known colloquially as the baby bonus if you’re a Singapore citizen. Not all CDA Accounts are created equal though, mama! Check out POSB’s newly-enhanced CDA offerings that’ll have you earning 2% p.a. interest on your CDA balance, along with a whole host of perks ranging from a free GRAB ride to exclusive discounts at over 50 merchants with the POSB Baby Bonus NETS card. You can register for a CDA account up to two months before your little bundle of joy arrives, but benefits won’t kick in until you have a birth certificate to show for it; click here for more details. In the meantime, why not get all your (adorable) ducks in a row so you can start saving for your child’s future from Day 1? Visit  www.posb.com.sg/cda today for more deets!

Pregnancy has certainly got its ups and downs, mama, but nearly everyone agrees that the second trimester is a wonderful time to simply enjoy being pregnant while taking some time to focus on yourself and your soon-to-be family. Enjoy!