8 Things You Should Know About 4th Trimester – Parenthood
Whether you are a first time mother (or not), you have just received a wonderful gift: your child. You may have learned a lot about this process and that of childbirth during pregnancy.
However, you may not have learned enough about the 4th trimester of pregnancy: the postpartum and the confusing stage of the newborn, in general.
There is no sure way to become an expert in motherhood as it is the experience itself that will give you enough knowledge. It does, however, take practice and time. It helps to know a few things about the 4th trimester because that way you will be better prepared for what lies ahead.
8 things you should know about the 4th trimester
1. Simple does not mean easy during this 4th quarter
Caring for a newborn baby might sound simple in theory, but make no mistake about it, there is nothing easy about it. In fact, it may even be surprising how difficult it can be. Lack of sleep plays an important role in how you feel about things, in your physical recovery, and in being a mother.
2. You need your own pace to recover
You’re not going to recover in 16 weeks, and probably not in a year. Do not feel bad about this slow recovery as it is completely normal. Don’t try to stick to everything the company says because this is not the reality of postpartum recovery.
You will not sleep well, you will have pain standing and sitting, you will have a lot of bleeding, you will feel weak, you will constantly have rushes of milk, showering will become a real challenge …
You need to be kind to yourself: it took your body nine months (more or less) to grow and bring your baby to life, you need time to get things back to normal. the normal.
3. Your baby will also need to recover during the 4th trimester.
Babies also need to recover from birth because it is not an easy process for them. When he cries and fidgets, show empathy: your baby too needs to recover from the birth process, just like you. Besides, he has to get used to his new life.
4. Go to your medical appointments with someone
Between lack of sleep, hormones, and total novelty on every level, medical appointments can seem horrible. Ask your spouse, mother, brother / sister or a close friend to come with you. They will listen, ask questions, and help you remember what was said after the date.
5. Some people will come closer to you when you weren’t expecting them.
One of the experiences you will have, both during and after pregnancy (during the postpartum period), is that some people will come close to you to reach out to you and offer their support. You will indeed be surprised at the number of people who will come to ask you how you feel, without expecting anything in return.
Perhaps these will be people who have recently had your experiences and who know how difficult everything is. You may feel lonely if you don’t have loved ones who have been through what you are going through right now.
But when someone reaches out to you, take it because it can be a wonderful experience. This person may also be going through what you are going through and need your help at another time.
6. Celebrate the small wins in the 4th quarter
One of the most powerful and important things you can do is celebrate the little victories and feel grateful for all the little joys you know. At first, you might want to do simple things every day, like doing your nails, writing a thank you card, drinking a cup of tea in silence …
Afterwards, these little things can get bigger: going to eat with a friend or family member, going out for a walk with the baby, going to the supermarket… These things will help you feel good and let you see that you are moving forward.
When you become a mom, it’s perfectly okay to be proud of yourself for successfully dining at the table or writing messages. In fact, you should radiate pride. You succeeded !
7. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help in this 4th trimester
When it comes to professionals, you can have access to a great deal of knowledge: breastfeeding specialists, sleep experts, pelvic floor physiotherapists, etc.
But asking for help can also mean asking your mother to come and take care of the baby so that you can rest. Or ask a friend to bring you a pack of diapers.
And, of course, seeking support for postpartum anxiety or depression is crucial. This can indeed make a big difference in your recovery.
8. Everything ends up passing …
Everything ends up passing, by becoming simpler and improving. You might have heard people say things like ” It doesn’t get any easier, things just change eventually “, but that’s not true.
It becomes easier. Sleep improves, breastfeeding (if you are breastfeeding) becomes easier, colic subsides, and newborns grow into adorable, smiling, tender babies. If you don’t like this newborn stage, you’re not the only one, and that’s okay!
The new motherhood may seem like a long dark tunnel, but eventually you will find your way. On the other side, you will rediscover yourself, alongside the most adorable baby in the world. You will have come to real motherhood and you will feel proud that you have become that mother warrior who has been dormant within you for so long.
