2nd trimester

For most women, around the 12 week mark the horrid symptoms of the first trimester vanish and a new wave of energy, combined with that first glimpse of your baby on ultrasound make this trimester the most enjoyable and productive.

As your bump begins to show and you start to share your news, the prospect of parenthood begins to feel quite real.  A progesterone fuelled calm comes over many women and this can help you take everything in your stride.  For most Medics, this is a busy period….many people seem to move house at this stage as they suddenly realise they need more space.  Work continues as normal and in addition there is much research to be done.  Prams, cots, breast pumps and parenting methods all need heavily scrutinised and discussed before you slow down into your 3rd trimester.

You will also want to think about what you want/need to achieve before finishing up at work and make a plan for this.  Remember, not everyone goes full term so it might be wise to get all the important work related jobs tied up by around 32 weeks.  Some of us will stop suddenly with preganancy complications such as preeclampsia which can’t be anticipated or it might be that by 32 weeks you are the size of a house and can’t face the thought of standing on a 4 hour ward round or running to a cardiac arrest.