One trimester down, two more to go!

As you enter your second trimester, things are getting exciting! But with more planning to do, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed.

To make things easier, Jeanelle Smuts, a programme coordinator at Mediclinic, has put together this handy checklist to help you stay on track and ensure a smooth pregnancy.

• Check what maternity benefits your medical aid offers and let them know you’re pregnant so you can activate them.
• If you don’t have a medical aid and are a private paying patient, consider going through Mediclinic’s Private Fixed Fees
• Ask your doctor about which supplements you should start taking.
• Book an appointment with a gynaecologist and obstetrician if you haven’t already. Let us help you find one here
• Make a list of questions for your next doctor’s visit.
• Find out about recommended vaccines, scans, and tests in pregnancy. Ask your doctor about timing so you can plan ahead.
• Talk to your doctor about pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, their warning signs, and prevention.
• Mention any additional screenings you’re considering.
• Discuss screening for Down syndrome and other genetic conditions.
• Ask about NIPT, a safe blood test for genetic screening in unborn babies.
• Decide who you are going to tell, when and how.
• Inform your workplace that you’re pregnant. Check with HR about maternity leave and benefits.
• Plan your maternity leave and household support for when the baby arrives.
• Book your birth at Mediclinic and take a maternity tour at one of our hospitals.
• Ask about antenatal classes at your hospital, locally, or online.
• Start a baby registry.
• Book a maternity photoshoot and chat with the photographer about what you want.
• Stay active with gentle exercise – pregnancy yoga is a great idea.

More to look forward to:

Since you’ve received this newsletter, you’re more than likely already a member of Mediclinic Baby.

We hope our newsletters help you stay on top of your to-do list and provide expert advice to answer your questions as your pregnancy progresses.

As a Mediclinic Baby member, you’ll receive invitations to free webinars and online sessions on topics like basic first aid and antenatal education. Mediclinic’s Preparing for Parenthood webinar is a two-day crash course covering everything from birthing options to pain relief to breastfeeding, postnatal depression, and baby care. These topics are normally taught in hospital antenatal classes, but you can now learn all this from home. Plus, the course includes insights from doctors, midwives, and specialists like occupational therapists.

One of the best perks of being a Mediclinic Baby member is the Baby Bag – filled with essentials for your baby’s first three days. It’s a huge help for parents who may feel too overwhelmed at the time of the baby’s arrival to pack everything – or even forget their bag at home. Luckily, this one stays at the hospital! Parents of premature babies also get special items like preemie nappies and a beanie.

After your baby’s birth, they will receive their BCG and polio vaccinations in hospital through Mediclinic Baby. You’ll also be gifted with a footprint certificate, featuring your newborn’s tiny foot, and at certain hospitals, a photograph of your new family member will be uploaded to the Mediclinic gallery (you’ll be sent a link for easy access).

More exciting and useful tools are coming later this year. If you have not yet registered for the Mediclinic Baby programme, please click here or download the Mediclinic Baby app at here (available for iOS and Android phones).