My Second Trimester in Basel: A Pregnancy Guide for Expats
- Nikolett Mayer
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
When I sat down to write this guide, I realised it couldn’t be the typical, one-size-fits-all pregnancy article. My second trimester is simply my story: how I navigated this time during my first pregnancy and now again in my second. It’s shaped by my own experiences, my body’s reactions and symptoms, and honestly, it feels a bit scary to share something so personal.
But hey, if it helps even one mama out there, it’s already worth it. I remember how lost I felt during my first pregnancy between weeks 12–20. That’s supposed to be the easy stage, right? Well… not quite for me.
If you want a more general overview of how pregnancy care works in Switzerland (with a few Basel-specific tweaks), my First Trimester Guide is a good place to start. That one’s more “informational”, this one is more “real life.”
The "babymoon" phase… or Not Quite
They call the second trimester the “golden period” or "babymoon" and I could see why — at least after some time. For many women, morning sickness goes away, energy returns, and you can finally eat without fearing the consequences. I did feel some of that magic in my first pregnancy after week 14–15, but in my last one, I was super nauseous until week 20, taking medication every day just to function. On top of that, some days were full of energy, while others… well, I just wanted to sleep which was nothing like my first pregnancy.
Both of my pregnancies came with a very unwelcome guest: severe pelvic pain around 18–20 weeks. The relaxin hormone, which softens your ligaments to prepare for birth, also made walking and moving almost impossible for me.
In my first pregnancy, I was shocked at how quickly I went from “Oh, this feels a bit uncomfortable” to “I can barely get across the living room.” That’s when I discovered Holbein Praxis Pregnancy Chiropractic in Basel. They were absolute lifesavers. Three treatments later, I was back to moving like a normal human instead of an elderly person who could barely make it to the toilet alone.
In my second pregnancy, I went straight back to them the moment the pain appeared This time, there was no gradual build-up, just a sudden, sharp pain in my pelvic/hip area that made me instantly realise something was definitely not right.
Finding My Beleghebamme
Just after my 12-week check-up, I reached out to a Beleghebamme (private midwife). This was completely new to me in my first pregnancy. Back then, I gave birth with the team at Bethesda Spital and had no idea it was possible to have both a Belegarzt (private doctor) and a Beleghebamme at the same time. I only learned about it when my doctor suggested this option after I shared some concerns about birth. A concern that came from an unpleasant experience towards the end of my first delivery.
This time, my Beleghebamme took over some of my prenatal check-ups, she will be with me during labour (not just the moment of birth) from start to finish, and will handle my postpartum care. Having that one familiar face throughout the entire journey feels incredibly reassuring, especially in a healthcare system that was once completely new to me.
In Basel, you can only have a Beleghebamme at Bethesda Spital, and there are only a few who offer this kind of continuous care, most midwives don’t attend the actual birth. Here’s a list of them so you can reach out as early as possible. Heads-up: the birth support comes with an extra cost of around CHF 700–800, but the pre- and postnatal care is covered by insurance.
The Tests
Some of my second-trimester tests were done directly by my midwife, including the blood sugar test. Since I had no issues in my first pregnancy, I was able to do the simpler fasting blood test instead of the full glucose tolerance test (the one with the sweet drink and multiple blood draws). Honestly, even if I’d had to do the full version, I don’t think it would have been the nightmare people describe.
We also found out the gender during my second big ultrasound at 20 weeks. That might seem a bit late for some, but because I chose to have my smaller check-ups with my midwife, this was the first ultrasound I had after my 12-week scan.
Movement, Birth Preparation Classes, and Hospital visits.
Around this time, I started looking into prenatal yoga and other gentle exercise classes. Honestly, it was a bit of a challenge to find something in Basel that fit my schedule. And even though I know how beneficial staying active is, I simply didn’t have the energy. I was feeling dizzy far too often. In the end, I decided to skip the classes and stick to what felt manageable: doing outdoor photography, hiking in the mountains, and chasing my daughter around the Spielplatz. That alone felt like a full workout.
During my first pregnancy, this was also when I booked my birth preparation class. It was led by a midwife from Bethesda Spital, which I found reassuring. I not only learned about birth in general but also the hospital’s specific policies and procedures. Later, I discovered that many private midwives offer these classes as well, even one-on-one. For my second pregnancy, my husband and I chose to do just a refresher session with my midwife.
One of the most surprisingly helpful things I did in both pregnancies was attend a hospital tour. Most Basel hospitals offer them in both English and German, covering everything from what to bring for birth, to seeing the delivery rooms, to understanding hospital protocols. For me, stepping into those spaces before “the big day” made the unknown feel far less intimidating.
Capturing the Bump
This was also the stage when I started thinking about maternity photos. If you want to capture this chapter beautifully, the second trimester is the ideal time to book a maternity photographer in Basel. The sweet spot is usually between 28–32 weeks. Your bump is lovely and round, but you’re still (hopefully) feeling comfortable and mobile.
If you’re on baby number two or three, your bump might make its grand entrance earlier, so you may want to schedule sooner. Trust me, waiting too long isn’t ideal, and I say this both as a photographer and as a mom. The final month of pregnancy can bring all sorts of surprises, from swelling to sheer exhaustion.
One recommendation from me, wearing my photographer’s hat: choose someone who offers both maternity and newborn photography. That way, when your little one arrives, you’ll already have a connection and feel completely at ease with them. This is something that makes those early, emotional days so much more relaxed and enjoyable.
Final thoughts
Looking back, the second trimester of both my pregnancies has been a mix of surprises, challenges, and little moments of magic. It wasn’t always the “golden period” people talk about. Some days were exhausting, some painful, some just plain overwhelming, but it was also a time of growth, learning, and preparing for the next chapter of our lives.
Sharing this journey has been a little scary, but if my experiences can help even one other mama feel a bit more seen, understood, or prepared, then it’s completely worth it. Every pregnancy is unique, and while my story is just one perspective, I hope it gives a sense of what life in Basel during the second trimester can feel like.
I wish you all the best for your pregnancy,
Nikolett
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