The Fourth Trimester

Tackling The Fourth Trimester

STORY Jenna Galley

We all know the three trimesters of pregnancy. But did you know that once bub is earth-side, you’ve got one more trimester to look forward to? Known as the fourth trimester, it’s the best trimester of all. It doesn’t involve a lot of sleep, but it does involve plenty of baby snuggles.

What is the Fourth Trimester?

The fourth trimester is the first three months of a baby’s life. It’s a time for mum to rest and recover (any chance she gets), a time for baby to get used to this new world and a time for parents to get to know their new bundle of joy.

Thoughts You May Have

The fourth trimester can be incredibly hard. Take it from a mum with a colicky baby who spent hours pacing the house at all times of the night trying to soothe her. It was stressful, it was exhausting and it was heartbreaking.

You may feel like you’re failing your baby (you’re not) and that you’re not cut out for this (you are)... but never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s always important to remember that this challenging fourth trimester, when all your baby wants is you, does end.

How to Cope?

Slow down – You only have one job now – to take care of yourself and your baby. Don’t worry about the dishes, or the laundry. Instead, enjoy the slower pace. Let yourself recover - Sleep when you can, rest when you can’t sleep and focus on keeping yourself well.

Ask for help – Everyone needs a break, including you. Accept help from those around you, whether it’s an invitation to hold the baby so you can sleep, a casserole for the freezer or a pile of washing folded and put away.

Mimic the womb - Play white noise to mimic the sounds they are used to in the womb, swaddle, baby wear and rock/bounce your baby. All of these things help her make the transition from womb to world a little easier.

Give yourself a break every day - Shower, have a cup of tea or lie in a bed without anyone touching you. Clear your mind, let your body relax and remind yourself that you’re doing everything right, even if, some days, it doesn’t feel like it.

See if from your baby’s perspective – For nine months all they’ve known is the womb where they could suck, sleep and snuggle to their heart’s content. The one thing that is familiar to them in this new world is you. Your voice, your heart beat, your touch, your smell.

You are your baby’s everything. Yes, this can be overwhelming, but it’s also such a special time for the both of you. Cuddle them, feed them, take in their ittybitty baby toes and delicious baby smell and accept that, for now, your only job is to be there for them.