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The Essential 2nd Trimester Checklist (That You'll Actually Use)

This isn’t your mom’s checklist — this one keeps it real and manageable.

Alright queen, you’ve made it to the second trimester. You survived the first-trimester nausea, mood swings, and the existential crisis over whether that cheese you ate was pasteurised. Now you’re feeling slightly more human (sometimes), and you’re ready to tackle the next round of this baby-growing gig.

But here’s the thing: pregnancy advice is often served with a side of overwhelm. Giant lists, unsolicited tips, and enough pressure to make you cry in the chemist aisle over nipple cream. That’s why we’re giving you the essential checklist — but make it real, cheeky, and completely doable from your couch in stretchy pants (preferably Emamaco stretchy pants).

“Forget the 900-item prep lists. This is the only one that doesn’t make you want to nap from stress.”

✅ Book that 20-week anatomy scan

This one’s important — it’s the detailed scan where they check baby’s organs, spine, brain, and all those magical bits you didn’t know to worry about until now. Plus, it might be the moment you find out the sex (if you’re choosing to).

Pro tip: Don’t drink too much water. A full bladder helps, but no one wants to be 47 minutes deep into a scan doing the pee-pee dance while your sonographer makes small talk.

It’s anatomy scan day. Treat it like red carpet prep. Glow optional, snacks essential.

✅ Start a baby name shortlist

Because otherwise you’ll get to month eight and realise the only names you agree on are ones your high school enemies already took. Make a list on your phone, Pinterest board it, or go old school with post-its on the fridge.

Just don’t tell anyone unless you want intense opinions from strangers about how “that name sounds like a horse.”

  • Name inspiration? Yes.
  • Unsolicited input? No.
  • You naming your baby something fabulous and original? Absolutely.

✅ Get comfy with maternity wear (trust us)

Yes, you could continue squeezing into your pre-pregnancy jeans with a hair tie hack… but why? Embrace comfort. Embrace the bump. And invest in maternity pieces that make you feel like a hot mumma without sacrificing your circulation.

Emamaco maternity leggings and shorts are the move — breathable, sculpting, and bump-loving. Wear them to appointments, wear them to nap, wear them to pretend you’ve been working for the last hour when you’ve really been Googling “why is my belly button weird now.”

Stretchy pants = essential life upgrade. Your uterus called, it agrees.

✅ Lock in your hospital, OB or midwife

Whether you’re birthing at a public hospital, private suite, or in a birthing centre that smells like eucalyptus and empowerment, now’s the time to make it official. Ask questions. Book tours. Make sure you vibe with your birth team — you’re trusting them to cheer you on when you’re sweaty and yelling at your partner for breathing wrong.

Also, make note of the parking situation. Because nothing says third-trimester stress like circling the hospital in labour looking for a spot.

“Birth plan? More like birth preferences + survival snacks + playlist.”

✅ Look into antenatal classes (and laugh at the awkward bits)

Sure, watching someone demonstrate swaddling with a plastic doll is hilarious — but antenatal classes can actually be super useful. They’ll walk you through birth, pain relief, newborn care, and what to do when you realise your baby doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

Look for classes that match your vibe — online, in-person, casual, crunchy, clinical — whatever works. Bonus: you might meet other bump-besties to swap war stories and nipple balm recs with.

✅ Start a baby purchases spreadsheet (yes, a chic one)

There ar

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e few things more satisfying than a beautifully organised baby list. Pram? Check. Car seat? Check. Ten million unnecessary onesies? Also check. But before you go buying everything in pastel sight — ask friends what they actually used. You’ll be amazed at how much stuff sounds vital but gathers dust (we’re looking at you, wipe warmers).

Build your list around the real essentials, not the Insta-worthy fluff.

  • Practical gear
  • Health stuff (thermometer, baby panadol, etc)
  • One splurge item — because you deserve it

✅ Nest... but on your terms

Nesting can hit like a freight train — one day you’re normal, the next you’re bleaching tile grout at 2AM while sobbing to a Taylor Swift playlist. Embrace the urge if it brings you peace. Decorate the nursery. Organise drawers. Build flat-pack furniture with passive-aggressive flair.

Or… do none of that and just order a cute bassinet online while eating toast in bed. Your version of nesting is valid.

“If rearranging the spice rack brings you joy, do it. If it doesn’t, eat more toast.”

✅ Book a babymoon (or a babystay)

If you’ve got the time, energy, and budget, the second trimester is prime babymoon season. You’re still mobile, you’re not too puffy, and your partner is still terrified enough to carry your bags without question. Think low-key luxury. Think naps. Think mocktails with a side of prenatal pillow support.

No time to travel? Babystay at home. Light a candle. Watch your f

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ave show. Tell everyone you’re out of office and revel in the bliss of doing absolutely nothing — in your Emamacos, naturally.
Luxury is a mindset. And also stretchy waistbands.

✅ Journal, take bump pics, make memories

You might not feel like it now, but you’ll want to remember this stage. The weird cravings. The little kicks. The way your body is changing in ways that feel surreal. Whether you’re journaling, snapping mirror selfies, or recording bump updates on your phone — document it. Because one day, you’ll look back and say, “Damn. I was incredible.”

And you are. Every little thing you’re doing — even if it feels boring or hard or unglamorous — is part of your baby’s origin story. You’re the main character. Make it count.

“You’re not just preparing for birth. You’re becoming a whole new you — and she’s fabulous.”

✨ Want to feel amazing while smashing this trimester checklist? Treat yourself to Emamaco maternity wear — your comfy, supportive, sculpted sidekick for everything from bump pics to baby name brainstorming.

You’ve got the glow, the checklist, and the leggings — now go rule this trimester 💅
—The Emamaco Planning Committee (also snack committee)

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