What happens to you during the '4th Trimester' (and is it a real thing)?

Just when you thought you'd reached the finish line of pregnancy, you discover there’s one more "trimester" to journey through.

We’re talking about the "4th trimester" - that hazy period where you’re recovering from pregnancy and delivery while simultaneously learning how to be a parent as you, your partner and your baby adjust.

What is the 4th trimester?

Marking the transition from pregnancy to postpartum, the fourth trimester is the 12-week period of time following the birth of your baby. These first weeks are a time of change, learning, and new experiences for everyone.

Mothers are going through significant changes in their own bodies, having just given birth and now caring for their little one. These changes are not only experienced physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and socially.

A whirlwind of change

Anyone can attest to the fact that the first days and weeks after giving birth are a tumultuous stream of sleep deprivation and adjustments to a new normal.

You are learning how to feed and care for your newborn – which requires nearly all of your attention. At the same time, you've just gone through a dramatic change in your own body. For the past nine months, your body has nurtured the growth of your baby. A persons body goes through powerful shifts during labour & birth. Because of that, you may be dealing with vaginal soreness, cramping and bleeding and that list does not include the complexities and time needed for a C-section recovery if that was your delivery method. As a result, we are often trying to recover physically from that journey while also learning about a new humans with hormones are in flux and our organs are shifting back to their former positions!

Take care of yourself

Covering the basics will go a long way towards helping you feel strong and energized.

Try to eat healthy foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins and whole grains, and limit the sugary snacks. Drink plenty of water. Get out of the house when you can, even if it’s just taking your baby for a walk around the block.

When your little bean sleeps, resist the urge to get things done around the house and try to get some shut-eye yourself or at least rest and put your feet up.

Ask for help

Don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself. Let your partner, a close friend or a relative help take care of the baby.

Even if you’re breastfeeding, they can take your little bundle at other times so you can sleep, as well as handle nappy and bath-time routines.

When someone comes to visit, give them something to do instead of feeling like you need to play host. Ask for them to bring groceries or a meal, do a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher or just hold your baby so you can take a shower.

Know that it’s normal to not feel normal

Intense mood swings and periods of weepiness are so normal after having a baby, pair that with the sleep deprivation, and you’ve got the potential for a serious storm of emotions.

Don’t beat yourself up for feeling this way, or for worrying that you aren’t doing enough. If you’ve managed to get some rest, eat something and care for your baby, you’ve ticked off all the important to-do's.

That said, while feeling more emotional during the weeks right after birth is common, feeling chronically sad, depressed or overly anxious, or having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby can be signs of postnatal depression (PND) or postnatal anxiety (PNA).

That doesn’t mean you’re losing your mind, are a bad parent or have done anything wrong, postnatal mental health issues like PND are treatable, so if you think you may be suffering from PND or another condition, reach out to your health care provider for help.

Adjusting to life

The 4th trimester ends when your little one is around three months. Does that mean that you’ll look and feel exactly like you did before you got pregnant and that caring for your baby will be a breeze 24/7?

Probably not. Adjusting to life with a new baby, whether it's your first, second, third or something else, is a gradual transition that will likely continue throughout that first year and beyond.

Plus things never quite "go back to the way they were" before you gave birth - pregnancy, labour, birth and parenthood changes you. By 12 weeks after baby's arrival, you can expect to feel much more physically and emotionally comfortable than you did initially. Your baby will likely be more fun and interactive, and at least bit less fussy (fingers crossed) too.

Most importantly, you’ll have started to build the confidence and experience that will carry you through your journey as a parent. It's among the many rewards that make all those tricky parenting moments

It can be a lot to take in all at once! Just remember that you're not alone in whatever you may be feeling.