Yes! The \u201cfourth trimester\u201d is another way to describe the postpartum period – the first three months after your baby is born. It\u2019s a time of major adjustment for you, your baby, and for everyone else you live with. It can be rough – I wasn\u2019t prepared for it, even though I\u2019m an obstetrician!<\/p>\n
In the months leading up to delivery you have regular visits with your obstetrician and lots of time to ask questions. Postpartum, you just have one visit scheduled a few weeks after your baby\u2019s arrival, which isn\u2019t much time to talk about all you\u2019re experiencing.<\/p>\n
What makes this time so challenging? So many things! You\u2019re trying to figure out your newborn, who can\u2019t communicate with you except by crying. You\u2019re also trying to recover from delivery – and your hormones are going wild! Some common experiences include:<\/p>\n
Ways you can help yourself:<\/p>\n
Take a break!<\/strong> Ask someone else to take care of your baby if possible, so you can nap, shower, eat a snack, and recharge. It\u2019s also okay to let your baby cry in a safe place for a few minutes if you need some time to yourself. I would sometimes put my crying baby in his bassinet, step away, and take a few deep breaths to calm myself down before going back to him.<\/p>\n Go outside.<\/strong> Sunshine and fresh air are good for both you and baby. I found it so helpful to go for a walk every day.<\/p>\n Get Some Light Exercise.<\/strong> You may not be able to lift weights or run until you\u2019re cleared by your doctor but walking, if you can tolerate it, can help boost your mood and help you manage pain. Dancing to music also works!<\/p>\n Talk with a lactation consultant. <\/strong>You and your baby are both learning – it is normal to need some help to get the hang of a pain-free latch. If your nipples are painful, try to spread some breast milk on them at the end of every session.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry about pumping right away (if nursing).<\/strong> You only need to start pumping shortly before you go back to work to build up a supply. If you have leaky breasts, you can use a silicone milk collector to catch your letdown from one side while the baby feeds from the other side. This can help you build up a supply too.<\/p>\n Take life slowly.<\/strong> Skip the chores – your dishes, laundry, and housework can wait or be done by your partner, friends, or relatives. One of our lactation nurses, Andrea Windom N.P.,<\/a> says \u201call you need to be doing in the first month or so is N.E.S.Ting: Nursing (or feeding your baby), Eating, Sleeping, and Talking (to your baby and your support people).\u201d It can seem tempting to give yourself a to-do list since you\u2019re \u201coff work,\u201d but give yourself the space to rest, recover, and enjoy this time.<\/p>\n Join a new parents\u2019 support group. <\/strong>Spending time with other new parents can be a great help!<\/p>\n Remember: this time is brief.<\/strong> I had friends tell me how much they miss the newborn phase and how quickly it goes by. It was hard to believe then, but now I agree! As hard as it feels at times, try to stay in the moment and know that everything will eventually feel easier.<\/p>\n Talk to your clinician<\/strong> if you feel you are struggling emotionally or mentally. Approximately 80% of us get the \u201cbaby blues,\u201d or feeling sad and teary the first couple of weeks after the baby arrives. \u00a0About 10-15% of us experience what we call postpartum depression. f you have feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, or feel overwhelmed for more than 2 weeks, let your clinician know, because postpartum depression is serious \u2013 and treatable. We\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n The fourth trimester is an exciting time – but it can also be tiring, confusing, and overwhelming. At times, you may feel that you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing at all. (I felt this way!) Give yourself the space to get frustrated, feel confused, and not enjoy every minute of every day. Accept help when you need it, and you\u2019ll get through this!<\/p>\n Resources for Parents<\/p>\n How to Clam a Crying Baby<\/a><\/p>\n Breastfeeding a Newborn: Tips for the First Few Days<\/a><\/p>\n What Do New Fathers Need to Know?<\/a><\/p>\n My Doctor Online<\/p>\n