What purpose does it serve?
When we talk about a full pregnancy cycle, we usually think of 10 months, a.k.a. 3 trimesters. But there is actually a 4 th trimester. It is the 12 weeks postpartum (after the birth of your newborn), where you are recovering from delivery and adjusting to your baby, while your baby is adjusting to the outside world. ^1
4 th trimester for mummies ^2
Whether you’re doing natural birth or C-section, it takes time for your body to heal. Approximately, this whole healing process takes about 6 weeks or more depending on your body. Throughout these 6 weeks of healing, you will experience a plethora of changes from tiredness level, hormonal fluctuations, milk production and emotional changes. And for mummies taking on breastfeeding, milk production is crucial in the 6 weeks healing frame to establish good milk production. ^3 After the 6 th week mark, milk production is more or less based on demand and supply. This means the shorter the interval in between pump, the more supply you are getting and vice versa.
4 th trimester for babies ^4 & ^5
The 12 weeks after birth means a lot for newborns. They rely entirely on you for care and attention while they start developing and adapting to the outside space. During these 12 weeks, you will observe growth and development in your newborn.
Sight: They can only see 8 to 15 inches in front of them and cannot see colours clearly. By 4 weeks, they can recognise faces, and by 12 weeks, their eyes can follow a moving object across a room.
Reflexes: Newborns’ movements are mostly intuitively controlled by their primitive newborn reflexes. But 12 weeks, their movements will become more active and deliberate.
Bodily movements: Newborns cannot lift their heads on their own or move their hands deliberately. By 12 weeks, they are able to raise heads and bring their hands to their mouth.
Breathing, sleep & feeding patterns: You will observe that they start to breathe more steadily and can easily settle into consistent sleeping and feeding patterns.
Senses: Although newborns have senses developed at birth, it will continue to improve. Newborns can recognise your scent and are very familiar with it, so it does helps in soothing them. Talking to them since birth will also trigger development. By the 12 th weeks, you will see them trying to imitate or make noises of their own to attract attention.
What can I do to prepare myself for the 4 th trimester? ^7
#1: Read
Understanding what the 4 th trimester is about by reading up on the things that will happen during the trimester, and the possible changes and challenges.
#2: Engage help
Engage someone with experience to help you out. This person could be your mother, mother-in-law or a nanny. With their experience and expertise, they will be able to help lighten the stress during this transitional period for both you and your baby.
#3: Mummies group
Joining a mummies group can be a great help during this 4 th trimester especially when you’re new to everything. Talking to fellow mummies can make you feel better, as they are able to
better relate to the issues that you are experiencing. Furthermore, talking to other mummies can help you gain knowledge and to avoid certain mistakes (meaning lesser trial and error to
situations!)
The fourth trimester may be the hardest stretch, with as many as 80% of mummies experiencing baby blues. But it gets better after that. And whatever you may feel during these 12 weeks is part of the process of adjusting to a new life as a mummy, with a newborn. Speak to anyone and everyone, be it your gynae, husband, family member or a friend. Always remember that we need to take care of ourselves first so that we can take care of others too.
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