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The transition from being pregnant to becoming a parent for the first, second or third time can be challenging. This time is known as the fourth trimester and can be a mixed bag of emotions. The attention has shifted from you to your baby and that can be hard.
Life is all of a sudden chaotic and all consuming and just getting out the door seems like a miracle. The fourth trimester can be a positive experience for a lot of mothers but for some it can be lonely, exhausting and overwhelming.
So how do you get through the fourth trimester?
Be flexible
All of a sudden there seems to be so much to do in the fourth trimester. You might make plans with good intentions and then next minute babe has a different idea. It can be very frustrating not getting anywhere on time or doing the things that need to get done. Just give yourself a break and try and go with the flow as much as you can. Getting anxious about not being on time just makes matters worse.
Self care is so important
In the midst of the chaos self care might be the last thing on your mind, however it should be just as important as everything else. A happy Mama always means a happier home, so make sure you make time for the things that you need to do for yourself. Try and create a routine and make it happen everyday and you will soon feel more like yourself.
You won’t ever know it all
No matter how much you have read on the fourth trimester, sleeping, swaddling the list is endless. I promise you, you will never be perfect and you will never know it all. Every baby is different and you are the best person for the job. It’s ok to make mistakes and learn from them.
You’re doing a fantastic job
Even on the days where you haven’t showered, the house is a mess and well the washing looks like Mount Everest, just know that you’re doing a great job. The fourth trimester is hard and feels like an uphill battle for a lot of mums, so acknowledge it and give yourself a pat on the back.
The Hormones
The crazy hormone fluctuations are a hard part of the fourth trimester. One day you might feel like you have this baby thing in the bag. The next day you might feel like the worst mother in the world due to your surging hormones. I find that taking evening primrose oil helps with the crazy hormones.
Simplify life
The fourth trimester is such a busy time with visitors, appointments, feeding, changing, feeding changing and cleaning. Sometimes we tend to rush through our day and actually miss the amazing changes that are happening right in front of our eyes with our babies. I learned this the hard way and wished I had just simplified life and slowed down.
The fourth trimester of pregnancy can be one of the hardest and the most rewarding. You have worked so hard to grow and birth your little one and can often feel overwhelmed with a screaming baby. Slow life down and listen to your baby, make time for yourself and acknowledge how well you are doing. Most of all enjoy the small wins and don’t be so hard on yourself. Your doing a great job.