Second-trimester admin checklist

Second trimester is the quietest window most people get for admin. Use it. This list is logistics — insurance, work, housing, and care team — not medical care. Confirm clinical timing with your OB or midwife.

Checklist

Care team and appointments

• Confirm OB/midwife practice and hospital/birth-center affiliation in writing
• Ask which hospital entrance to use after hours; save the address in both phones
• Schedule anatomy scan and any recommended glucose testing per your clinician's timeline
• Shortlist pediatricians (see Life Compass pediatrician guide); book prenatal meet-and-greets
• Request your preferred lactation / feeding resources list from the practice
• If using a doula or night nurse later: interview now while calendars are open

Insurance and money

• Call insurer: confirm maternity coverage, deductible status, and in-network hospital
• Ask how newborn is added to the plan and the deadline after birth (often ~30 days — verify yours)
• Estimate out-of-pocket max remaining this plan year (range is fine)
• If changing jobs or plans mid-year: map coverage gap risk before open enrollment assumptions
• Start a simple leave money map (employer leave, STD, state leave, PTO)
• Open or label a savings bucket for leave gap / deductible (automatic transfer counts)

Work and leave paperwork

• Read employer parental leave and short-term disability policies end-to-end
• Ask HR for the leave packet timeline (when to notify; what forms)
• Confirm FMLA eligibility basics with HR if you are a W-2 employee
• Partner: pull their leave policy the same week — do not wait
• Note any blackout dates, bonus cliffs, or equity vesting quirks with a trusted HR contact
• Update emergency contacts and beneficiaries on file at work

Legal and household admin

• Discuss and draft (or update) wills / guardianship nominations — use an attorney if possible
• Update life insurance coverage if needed; compare term quotes as ranges, not one "right" number
• Check renter's/homeowner's policy: liability limits and whether you need a rider for later childcare workers
• If moving: aim to finish before third trimester when possible
• Tour parking and bag-drop route at the birth facility once, daytime

Childcare and support logistics

• If needing infant daycare: join waitlists now (many run 6–12+ months)
• Ask two backup caregivers about post-birth meal/visit boundaries
• Plan pet care for labor (who has a key)
• If you have older kids: sketch coverage for labor and first nights home

Records and digital hygiene

• Create a single "baby admin" folder (digital + thin paper folder)
• Store insurance cards, ID scans, and hospital pre-registration confirmation together
• Turn on portal access for OB practice; test password reset now
• Unsubscribe from noisy retail email so benefits emails are visible

Nice-to-finish before week 28

• Hospital bag first draft (documents + chargers first)
• Car seat research; plan install check (fire station / certified tech where available)
• Confirm who will take parental leave photos of paperwork (birth letter, discharge) so nothing is lost