I thought the first trimester was my relaxed phase, but looking back, it was actually quite chill compared to the whirlwind of the last few months. While I didn’t have to deal with morning sickness, I definitely traded that downtime for hours of deep research. My second trimester became the intentional planning phase, where I put a lot of effort into narrowing down exactly what we would eventually buy for our home. This led us to a breakdown of our second trimester pregnancy expenses that looks very different from our first. In fact, our spending tripled this time around! Could it have been less? Absolutely. But as a family, we chose to balance our needs with a few meaningful wants.
The Zero Spend Strategy
Staying true to my minimalist goals, you’ll notice that our spend for baby gear and feeding supplies was exactly ₱0.00. Despite the pressure to start buying strollers or high-tech gadgets, we are holding off until we are closer to the due date to ensure we only bring what is truly functional into our condo.
Where the Value Went: Our Priorities
When I look at our ledger, it’s clear where we chose to place our value this trimester. It wasn’t just about buying things, but about investing in our health and the memories we wanted to create.
Health as an Investment
Health was our most significant commitment. We spent a large portion of our budget on medications and supplements to ensure the baby and I are getting everything we need. We also prioritized comprehensive lab tests and screenings.
I’ll be honest: our CAS (Congenital Anomaly Scan) was on the pricier side. While I know there are other service providers that offer this at a much cheaper price, we chose the convenience and peace of mind of a clinic that assures that my husband is allowed inside the ultrasound room. Interestingly, only my OGTT test was covered by our HMO this time, so the rest was an out-of-pocket investment in our peace of mind.
Creating Nice-to-Have Memories
This came from events and photoshoots. Of course, a gender reveal party and a professional maternity shoot aren’t necessities in the strict sense. They are the nice-to-have and nice-to-experience. But for us, celebrating this milestone with family and documenting this season of my life was worth every cent. It’s about being resourceful so you can afford the things that actually bring you joy.
Comfort for a Changing Body
As my body continued to change, I had to be practical. My maternity clothing spend wasn’t about a whole new wardrobe; it was about the basics—comfortable underwear and home clothes that fit my growing bump. I also had to pivot to support gear because my edema (swelling) started worsening. Investing in compression socks and a pair of adjustable Crocs wasn’t a fashion choice, but a functional one to keep me mobile and pain-free.
The Slow Nesting Phase
Lastly, we’ve started a very slow and intentional nesting process. We began stocking up on diapering supplies like organic wipes and a few diaper packs to spread out the cost. We also made our first nursery purchase: room paint. We’re keeping the aesthetic alive by starting with the literal foundation—the walls!
Second Trimester Pregnancy Expenses Summary at a Glance
| Category | Amount | Note |
| Events | ₱7,593.50 | Gender reveal & photoshoot |
| Medication & Supplements | ₱7,507.85 | Prenatals and vitamins |
| Lab Tests & Screenings | ₱7,475.00 | CAS, Pelvic Ultrasound, etc. |
| Maternity Clothing | ₱3,819.00 | Focus on comfort at home |
| Diapering Supplies | ₱2,851.70 | Wipes and early diaper stock |
| Comfort/Support Gear | ₱2,825.00 | Managing edema (swelling) |
| Doctor Visits | ₱2,100.00 | Regular check-ups |
| Body Care | ₱1,334.00 | Yoga mat & Skincare refills |
| Nursery Furniture/Decor | ₱876.40 | Room paint |
| Clothing & Linens | ₱792.00 | Baby outfit for gender reveal |
| TOTAL | ₱37,174.45 |
Final Thoughts
Looking back at our breakdown of our second trimester pregnancy expenses, I’ve realized that pregnancy costs are rarely a straight line. Some months are for research and resting, and others, like this one, are for investing in health and memories. We could have spent less, but by being skeptical about gears we don’t need yet, we had the freedom to spend on the things that truly mattered to us.
