I am now in the final week of my second trimester, and I can honestly say I didn't expect to enjoy it this much, especially after the grueling 16 weeks defined by Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Despite the new physical challenges - the onset of Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), persistent acid reflux, and the frustrating ritual of waking every two hours to pee - this chapter feels like an absolute dream compared to the first half of my pregnancy. It is a quiet relief that is hard to put into words.
Around week 18, my HG finally felt well and truly under control (though still managed by prescription medication). This newfound stability allowed me to return to work, both online and in person, even traveling abroad for 24/7 newborn care.
Catching Up on the Joy
I feel like I've spent this trimester catching up on all the beautiful preparations I felt guilty about missing earlier. We've been slowly preparing the nursery, and my partner and I have started the detailed birth planning process with our doula.
After 15 years of caring for hundreds of newborn babies, there is a profound surge of gratitude, wonder, and excitement knowing that we are now welcoming a baby of our own into the world.
The most important part of this preparation has been finding our incredible doula, Claire. This was a process I took very seriously, interviewing six different doulas. It was vital for us to find someone with deep professional expertise but also someone we connected with personally - a genuine "vibe" fit.
Claire is everything we could have wanted. I already feel so supported, respected, and cherished just by speaking with her during our planning sessions. Hiring a doula is undoubtedly a significant expense (at a time when you feel like every penny is going towards baby gear!), but for us, as first-time parents without immediate family support nearby, it is invaluable.
If you are considering hiring one, I wholeheartedly recommend taking your time to find the perfect fit, not just for you, but for your partner too. Look for someone whose values and demeanour align with yours. Crucially, your doula should empower your partner to take the lead as your primary birth support, never overshadowing that special, intimate role.
Preparing from Experience
As The Baby Care Expert, my career has given me the unique opportunity to try virtually every piece of baby equipment out there. This means I feel wonderfully confident in our buying decisions; we are intentionally choosing not to purchase anything that isn't truly useful or that doesn't directly serve the purpose of making life with a newborn easier.
We are holding off on setting up a separate nursery until we move into our new house when the baby is around three months old. This works perfectly, as the Lullaby Trust safe sleep advice recommends babies sleep in the same room as their carers until six months anyway.
Instead of focusing on a separate room, I'm thinking about the flow of our days: which spaces we will inhabit and where the baby will sleep most easily. Creating a designated changing and sleeping space in the main living area or kitchen is ideal. Trust me, the nights in the bedroom will feel long enough; you don't want to spend all day there too.
The most magical, exciting part is the quiet anticipation of welcoming this new, perfect little person into our world.
Anticipation and Unconditional Love
Now, with only three months left until we meet our baby, I've been reflecting on what excites me most. Yes, I look forward to the empowering experience of the birth itself. I'm excited about breastfeeding, about being able to hold them constantly (because you truly can never hold them too much), and about the moment they look up and smile at me for the first time.
They are a unique combination of myself and the love of my life - a special blend of us both whom I already love to an indescribable, unconditional length.
Read Part 1: The Unexpected Journey of my First Trimester