The Fourth Trimester. What is it and what does it mean for you and your newborn baby?
I was more than a bit naive when I had my first baby at the age of 27. But that’s ok, having a newborn of your own is a steep learning curve for most new mums, no matter their age. It was during my first pregnancy that I heard of the term, “the fourth trimester”, and at first, it left me a little confused.
Many people know that the average pregnancy lasts approximately nine months and is commonly divided into three trimesters, each lasting 12 weeks. So, what is this fourth trimester that people are referring to and why is it important?
I soon learned that the fourth trimester is the name for a period of time, namely the first 12 weeks, immediately following childbirth during which the newborn (and mother) adjust to life outside the womb. It is given a special name and reverence because it is due special consideration. A human baby, when compared to other mammals, is born quite dependent and still developing. Coming out from the womb and into the big bright world is a huge transition for your little one, and when combined with their complete inability to meet any of their needs themselves, they will feel awfully attached to their caregivers. This is often their birth mother, whose heartbeat has been the song they heard while snug in the womb, and whose smell calls to them as their natural reflexes make them ‘root around’ for milk and the feeling of satiety. You see, before birth, a newborn has never felt cold of hungry before. They had never known the terror of being separated and being considered a different being from their mother.
And so, the fourth trimester is called the fourth trimester because it is roughly another 12 weeks before the baby adjusts and starts to feel like a separate being, who needs to be held, comforted, and tucked in the bosom of their mother much of the day (and night), doesn’t feel quite as intense. During those first 12 weeks, many babies love having womb-like conditions recreated for them for example being swaddled tightly and placed against their mother’s chest.
Once graduating from the fourth trimester you will notice that your newborn is very different from the baby you took home from the hospital. In fact, many cultures around the world stop calling a baby a ‘newborn’ around this time and they are now an ‘infant’. Many cultures have various kinds of ceremonies and celebrations to mark this auspicious occasion, which is good! You should be celebrated! You have just gone through one of the biggest and most difficult life changes known to man.
Mothers often find that once the fourth trimester has passed they feel much more confident and settled into their new role. They find a kind of rhythm in their daily lives, despite often still being sleep-deprived. Many mothers can start going out and feeling more like themselves again. It is ok to still need naps, have meals delivered, and ask for support; just because the baby has turned 12 weeks old it doesn’t mean that they magically start sleeping 8 hours straight or stop crying every day. But hopefully, your baby does start to cry less (if they were a more unsettled baby compared to their peers) and can start to show some longer stretches of sleep sometimes. Many people find breastfeeding difficult in the first few weeks and months, but many who are still breastfeeding by the end of the fourth trimester, find breastfeeding more enjoyable and easier.
Baby aside for one moment though, and you will see that the fourth trimester is also a time of great physical and emotional changes for the mother, as her body recovers from pregnancy and childbirth and hopefully finds a new, more stable hormonal rhythm.
Here are some of Melbourne Postpartum Services’ tops tips that every mother should know so to survive the fourth trimester:
· Take care of yourself: It is important to prioritize self-care during the fourth trimester. This may include getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, and taking time to relax and recharge.
· Get support: Don't be afraid to ask for help. This can be from a partner, family members, friends, or a support group. It can also be helpful to hire a postpartum doula or other professional to provide support and assistance with newborn care.
· Expect physical changes: The body goes through many changes during and after pregnancy, and it can take time to recover. Some common physical changes include fatigue, bleeding, and changes in hormones.
· Emotional changes are normal and real ( not just in your head, able to be controlled by sheer will and inner thoughts): It is common to experience a range of emotions during the fourth trimester, including joy, anxiety, and sadness. This is a normal part of the postpartum period and it is important to be understanding of these emotions and to seek support if needed.
· Take time to bond with your baby: The fourth trimester is an important time to establish a bond with your newborn. Some people feel the bond instantly, but don’t be fooled by TV, as many parents don’t. Be intentional about carving out time and energy for this.
· Trust your instincts: As a mother, you are the expert on your baby. Trust yourself and your instincts when it comes to caring for your newborn. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to speak with your healthcare provider.
The fourth trimester is such a special time and can also be intense for many families. So although Melbourne Postpartum Services help many families with older babies also, it is this period of time that we specialise in. We get newborns and the changes that families go through, both the expected and the unexpected.
If you are pregnant and want to know more about what you can do to prepare so that you and your family can thrive through this transition, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Similarly, if you are already there, in the thick of it, and are finding the fourth trimester (or beyond) more demanding than you had anticipated ( because let’s be real, even though it can be magical, it can also be bloody hard!) please also reach out. Help is available and you too can learn to thrive and truly enjoy your baby.
