Surviving the 4^th Trimester – 7 Tips

I’m so grateful to Sarah of Christ Centered Mama for coming over here and sharing these great tips for mommmas who are in the fourth trimester! Sarah is currently in the fourth trimester and I have just come out of it, and we both can tell you that these tips can be so helpful, but SO HARD to follow. 🙂 Surviving the 4th trimester is possible, and you can even thrive in it. I hope these tips encourage you in your journey as a mother!

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I had my son in late September of 2015, and it was one of the most challenging times of my life. I had no idea what I was getting into, yet I strongly believe those first three months were the turning point of my life- from child, to parent.

There are strengths that you have that I do not, and tips that apply to me that don’t apply to you… but, dear mama… take what tips you can, and leave the rest.

My hope is that I could encourage you in your walk as the mama of a newborn. Here’s 7 tips that I would offer you about surviving and thriving during your 4^th trimester.

What is the 4^th Trimester?

Any pregnant mom is probably familiar with the 40 weeks of pregnancy and how they are loosely split into 3 trimesters.

And if she’s had multiple pregnancies, she might know what to expect for each trimester.

For me, I was dealing with incredible morning sickness during the 1^st trimester, mostly fine during the 2^nd trimester, but during the 3^rd trimester, I was getting so large that it was hard to do my everyday activities.

The pregnancy is more or less split up into 3 month sections, where moms experience different symptoms, have different questions, and different health needs.

Use these 7 tips to thrive, not just survive, in the fourth trimester. #takebackpostpartum #postpartumlife #postpartum #thefirst6weeks #newborn Click To Tweet

What is the 4th Trimester?

It’s called the 4^th Trimester because in some ways, the baby is still so used to the womb and needs an adjustment period.

These adjusting little ones are still largely unaware of their surroundings. They cannot see very far away and they are unaware of their own needs, they just know they need some kind of comfort.

It’s called the 4^th Trimester for the mama, too.

The moms are dealing with their new postpartum body, and might be experiencing pain from either a C-Section, or a natural, medicated, or induced labor.

Tips to Help You Thrive Not Just Survive the 4th Trimester

Here’s 7 tips for moms who helping their babies adjust to their new world in the 4^th Trimester… while they do some adjusting themselves.

• Ask for help

You aren’t meant to be an island! If you have a community of people around you, ask them for help! This might mean your family, your neighbors, or your church family. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if you feel self-conscious, who can deny a new mother and her young baby the help that they need!

And don’t be afraid to accept the help you are offered.

For more on this, check out: How to Help The Mother Of A Newborn

 

• Listen to your body

Go as slow as you need to! In that 4^th Trimester, moms need to take care of their bodies by eating nutritious food, resting, and delegating household chores and other obligations to others as much as possible!

Birth is a major life event and moms are often so busy and stressed that they don’t take a little time to listen to their body. If you are experiencing any pain, discomfort or other symptoms that you are unsure about, call your nurse or doctor! Many people believe postpartum health care in America is lacking, and when you compare it to that of other countries, you might find yourself in agreement!

So be your own advocate, and call your nurse! Don’t stop yourself out of embarrassment.

Your baby needs a healthy mom! Your body might be telling you to slow down or take it easy! Listen for the sake of you and your baby.

• Consider breastfeeding and babywearing

Breastfeeding is a sacrifice. But it also has undeniable benefits! One one hand, breastfeeding on average is about 40 hours a week… the same as a full time job. It’s so beneficial to mom and baby though! Babies get a customized menu of exactly the right nutrients and food components they need, as well as a boutique-like selection of baby-sized immunity boosts and even information about the mother’s diet and where she gets her food. Breastfeeding is also great for the mom- she burns more calories, bonds with the baby, and even helps her hormones return back to something normal more quickly!

Babywearing helps your baby adjust to the world from where she was constantly warm, fed, and snuggled. There are lots of different kinds of babywearing devices, but the best one is the one you use! Ask around and look on the internet for structured vs. wraps, as well as the differences and benefits of each brand.

• Acknowledge the possibility of Postpartum Depression or Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety are real! Your hormones are all out of whack, and that doesn’t go without it’s dangers. Don’t play games… if you need help, tell your husband and/or other supportive family or friends.

I personally experienced PPD with my first, and I was shocked, because I had never experienced any kind of depression before. I felt aimless, without purpose, without hope, and even unloved, despite my strong support system. The combination of lack of sleep and strong hormones was too much for me, and I felt ashamed asking my doctor for help. I considered medication about 3 months postpartum, but decided to go natural instead and wait it out. I still don’t know if that was the right choice, and with future babies, I will take each day at a time.

• Stay home

Helpful for both mom and baby, the home is the best place for a newborn baby and a postpartum mom. The baby needs a stable environment and you need to rest your body. Send others for groceries if possible, and keep errands to a minimum in those first few weeks.

This wasn’t a hard tip for me to follow because my newborn hated his carseat and I decided it was easier to not listen to his poor little cries and whimpers.

• Feed yourself with positive Christian messages

When you DO get on the Internet, don’t read too many forums that make you worry and question your entire motherhood. Instead, read devotions. Watch encouraging videos. Listen to Christian podcasts that will encourage you and edify you. And when you are able to, join the fellowship of your local church again! The body of Christ moves and breathes as one being, and they will so love being a part of your family’s new addition. Read God’s Word and talk with God through prayer as often as possible.

 

• Give Yourself Grace

There will be times that you have no idea what your baby needs. Or even what you need. Don’t expect that you will know and understand everything. Get lots of hugs from anyone you can- hugs heal. Try to eat healthy, but don’t worry about spulrging a little either! Eat a candy bar if you want. These days are hard and you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself to a ‘perfect mom’ in the 4^th Trimester. I’m convinced there is no such thing.

Just you. Doing the best you can.

And me, probably doing a little worse than you… but 100% okay with that.

Sarah Hardee is passionate about serving moms and writes for moms from pregnancy to empty-nesters at Christ-Centered Mama (christcenteredmama.com) and has been married to her husband Benjamin for 6 years. She helps her husband in his role as a pastor in rural Kansas. She has a 2-year-old son and is expecting another child in the early spring of 2018. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.