3 Tips for Making the Fourth Trimester Easier on New Mothers
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If you've just given birth or you're about to have your first baby, you're likely familiar with the trimester system referred to in pregnancy. During the first trimester, you may have mood swings and morning sickness. You might feel better and have an upswing of energy during the second trimester. During the third trimester, you're feeling the weight — literally and figuratively — of your pregnancy as you prepare for your upcoming birth while you deal with swollen ankles, a giant belly, and frequent trips to your obstetrician.
Your body and mind don't snap back to normal the second your baby leaves your body. The fourth trimester is a descriptive way of referring to the three months after your baby is born. This isn't a trimester of pregnancy, but it's given this name to imply that you're still dealing with pregnancy-related effects even though your baby no longer resides in your womb.
Why Are Many New Mothers Unprepared for the Fourth Trimester?
The fourth trimester covers the timespan between your baby's birthday and around 12 weeks after. Many new mothers think solely about their baby, what he or she will need, and how they and their partners will navigate care. It's easy to forget that your body is recovering from a nearly year-long pregnancy as well as the birth. Many mothers experience postpartum depression, anxiety, and a milder form of sadness known as the baby blues during this time.
3 Tips for Easing Stress and Finding Products During This Time
During these three months, your body's hormones will fluctuate once again if you choose to breastfeed or not. Your body will shift to a non-pregnant state, and with these changes, you will experience many mental and physical symptoms. To help new mothers navigate this new chapter, GBRLife shares the following insight.
1. Find a High-Quality Nursing Bra
If you have a bigger-than-average bust, you may feel very uncomfortable when nursing if you're not wearing a supportive bra, as your breasts might increase a cup size or two. Fortunately, many companies cater to these specific needs and offer nursing bras designed for larger chests, and you can easily find a nursing bra with a cup size of E and larger. Consider putting a nursing bra in your Amazon cart (or wherever you order baby supplies from) to skip a shopping trip. Also, avoid anything with scratchy or lacy material, as your nipples will be sore and even cracked during the first weeks of nursing.
2. Purchase Comfortable Clothing
During the first few weeks of your fourth-trimester journey, you will experience many hormonal fluctuations that cause changes in temperature, hot flashes, and headaches. Order some comfortable clothing like casual dresses, pajamas, and nightgowns that you can easily layer to keep up with your body's changing needs. If you’re nursing, look for nightwear with clip-down cups to make breastfeeding easier. You'll likely lose some of your pregnancy weight in the coming weeks (but don't stress if it takes longer) so don't worry too much about finding an exact fit. Look for loose, natural materials that breathe like cotton and bamboo.
3. Prepare To Return to Work
Returning to work can cause stress if you're suddenly managing childcare as well as your normal workload. Talk to your employer prior to maternity leave about the opportunity for a flexible schedule upon your return. If you own your own business and can’t be away for too long, consider hiring a virtual assistant, and contact your clients to let them know that you won't be in the office as much.
The fourth trimester can bring about a host of challenges as you welcome your baby. When you have an idea of what to expect, you can better prepare yourself for the weeks to come. Invest in a supportive nursing bra and comfortable clothing, and see about an opportunity for a more manageable situation once you return to work. Most importantly, give yourself grace as you adjust to this new life.
