Is The Fourth Trimester, The Forgotten Trimester?
We can go through pregnancy's various ups and downs for nine months. Once the baby arrives, it's natural to assume that the hard part is over. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. The weeks and months following childbirth—known as the fourth trimester—can be some of the most challenging and vulnerable times we will ever face. So why is this period so rarely talked about before birth? Why can it be the “forgotten trimester?”
The physical changes during the fourth trimester are immense. In addition to healing from childbirth, the body is adjusting to the hormone shifts that come with no longer being pregnant. This can lead to fatigue, insomnia, hair loss, and aches and pains. Bleeding, wound recovery from a cesarean, and stitches from a tear or episiotomy are why going slow is important, and help can be required.
Then there are the logistical challenges that come with caring for a newborn. Most new parents are sleep-deprived and have very little free time. They're also trying to figure out how to do things like breastfeeding; nipples can become cracked and sore, and some may have issues with mastitis—dealing with hormonal changes that affect emotions and sleep deprivation while trying to recover. And if this is their first child, they're learning all of this on the fly!
It's no wonder that so many parents find the fourth trimester overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. There are plenty of things that can be done to make this period of adjustment a bit easier. Here are just a few:
- Get organised before the baby arrives: This one might seem impossible, but taking time to get your home in order is helpful. Things will inevitably be chaotic once baby is here, so it's nice to have a few things taken care of ahead of time.
- Make friends with other new parents: These people are going through (or have already been through) precisely what you're experiencing. Lean on them for support, advice, and even commiseration when needed.
- Take advantage of help when offered: Whether it's your partner or your mother or friend coming over to do some laundry, accept help when offered. No one expects you to do everything on your own!
- Don't forget about self-care: It's easy to forget about your own needs when you're focused on caring for a new baby, but it's essential to make time for yourself too. Whether taking a long bath or going for a walk around the block, do something each day that brings you joy and helps you relax.
The fourth trimester is often called the "forgotten trimester" because so little is said about it before childbirth. However, it's a significant period for both parent and child as they transition from pregnancy into parenthood. By preparing for what this trimester entails and knowing where to turn for support, mothers can make this time a bit more manageable and enjoyable!
Janine Armfield is offering a 2-hour hands-on workshop, “Preparing you for your “Fourth Trimester”, that parents find a must-do and invaluable for their new parenting journey. Janine from Blossom Doula Care shares her knowledge from working for over 20 years nursing in obstetrics and maternity care. She has worked in women's health and maternity hospitals, antenatal clinics, delivery suites, and neonatal and maternal intensive care. She has spent many years working in a busy postnatal ward and private postnatal hospital supporting countless new parents and families as they embarked on their journey into parenthood. She also spent many years working as an IVF nurse. She is now working full time as a birth and postpartum doula and is passionate about supporting and educating parents to help with a smooth and calm transition to parenting and life at home with their new little one.
Janine offers this 2-hour weekend workshop at Beattie Street Health Studio; the cost is $150, money well spent for preparing you for the future.
