The Fourth Trimester

Congratulations! Your bundle of joy is here! You can see your toes again and, you can sleep on your stomach. YAY!

Let’s be honest. You won’t be able to sleep through the night (especially if you breastfeed), if you have a vaginal birth, you’re constantly bleeding, and taking a shower is like winning the lottery.

I felt so relieved after giving birth only to discover the fourth trimester. This is the 12-week period after you have your baby. For me, it was physically strenuous and mentally a war zone.

For those of you preparing to give birth and wondering what it is like those first three months afterward, here is what to might* expect:

• You will have to go to the doctor every day for the next 2-5 days to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat. It most likely your baby will lose a couple of pounds if you’re breastfeeding and your milk hasn’t started producing.
• If you had a vaginal birth, you will have heavy bleeding for a couple of weeks. I bled for at least 3 weeks but toward the end, it was light spotting. I recommend these products to support healing.
  • Maternity pads: https://amzn.to/3d69F3p
  • Witch Hazel Pads: https://amzn.to/3iAjCHq
  • Herbal Perineal Spray: https://amzn.to/36IkCXx
• Your baby will crrrryyyyyyyyy (especially if it’s your first baby). Your baby is learning you and you are learning the baby. You’re not going to know their hungry cry vs their sleepy cry. I had a tough time soothing my LO at first. I tried a sound machine, pacifiers, music, and swaddling. All my baby wanted was skin-to-skin and cuddles. I’ll write a post about mom guilt later but ALWAYS ask for help. I found myself connecting with my friends & family to help me just so I could shower or make an important phone call (I had my baby amid COVID so anyone who came over had their mask and didn’t have any symptoms of illness).
• Your LO will eat a lot for the first 2-3 months, the baby is eating every 2 hours if you’re lucky. If you’re breastfeeding, your nipples will hurt so bad you will want to cry ( I cried the second night I latched my baby) and when you’re not feeding, you are pumping. It is VERY important to keep your nipples and pumping equipment clean, and pump regularly. I remember finally being able to nap but it costs me to skip two pumping sessions. I was engorged and developed mastitis.
• Having a bowel movement is the worst!! I hated having the urge because I knew it was going to be a pain in the ass (literally!!). Stool softener will be your best friend and drink a sh*t ton of water!!
• You’ll be on an emotional rollercoaster. Your hormones are leveling out so, it is normal to want to cry one minute and be cranky the next. Find some mommy friends to talk to, watch a movie, and eat ice cream, go for a walk. Do the things that make you feel good. If that’s snuggle with your baby then so be it. I found this incredible app called Peanut that is a social media for women at all stages (new mom, expecting mom, women trying to conceive). I encourage you to download it. I have met a couple of moms off of the app and still communicate with them till this day.

With that being said, if any new mommies would like to chat, please connect with me on my socials (found in the top right corner). I’d love for you to share your fourth trimester experience and any advice.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow for more content.

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