Fourth Trimester

Finding out you are pregnant, can be exciting, scary, thrilling and pretty much every other emotion all wrapped together. Then the overwhelm sets in, there are SO many things to learn. How will you handle the pregnancy? What about work? Then there is the scary and painful labor that is inevitable.

Thankfully there are classes for all of that, not to mention 40 weeks to prepare, read, think and make your plans. Unfortunately much of the focus is on that pregnancy and birth, but completely ignores the 4th trimester, or the postpartum period.

The 4th trimester is where it all comes together. This is the moment you have been planning for, the reality of parenthood, you have your baby and suddenly realize all of your preparation was for getting the baby, not for what to do once you have the baby!!!!!

There are so many aspects of postpartum that aren’t talked about much. The fact that you might need a pelvic floor therapist to deal with pain and functional issues, or an emotional therapist for PPMAD, or a lactation consultant for nursing, not to mention tongue tie release provider, bodyworker, doula, OT, and more. No one tells you about the night sweats, hair loss, hemorrhoids. They mention mood swings like having a period (but it’s much more than that). No one talks about how without support, the 4th trimester is overwhelming and may seem impossible.

What we need in this country is to change the process and focus. Moms only have 1 postpartum visit at 6 weeks (frequently to “clear” them for sex like that’s what all moms want!!). We need to change the system so that moms and babies are getting more frequent, educational and supportive care. We need classes for parents that focus on the 4th trimester and all the things they might need to know. We need to SUPPORT families!

What would you like to see if you could help design a new system? What was lacking for you?