It’s a good idea to be honest about how you’re feeling and any concerns you may have. These are designed to screen for any postpartum mental health disorders, like postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety. Your doctor will ask questions related to your mental health after pregnancy. You can ask for an appointment sooner, or a second postpartum visit if new questions arise. This is a great time to check in with your doctor about how your recovery is going. Typically, the birthing parent will have a postpartum checkup at 6 weeks after delivery. Here’s a list of some moments when it may be helpful to reach out for additional support: Postpartum visits Seeking help when needed is a sign of strength, and it’s the best way to ensure your entire family’s well-being. When should I see my IBCLC, doctor, or midwife? ![]() Your mental health is a vital part of your overall well-being, and having trusted resources for medical care is a key part of building your support system. If you’re feeling the baby blues persistently, you can and should reach out for immediate support or receive more information from Postpartum Support International as a useful resource. But that doesn’t mean that you have to go through it alone.Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 8 mothers experience postpartum depression. A new parent can feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and sad. These might include anxiety after childbirth or difficulty bonding with your child. The resulting physical discomfort and hormonal changes can trigger a rollercoaster of emotions. Their bodies are going through a recovery process. And this can be extremely helpful for parents to keep in mind, especially if they don’t know what to expect postpartum.ĭuring this time, new parents aren’t just getting used to caring for a child. The parent’s (and family’s) development is no less important than the child’s. What does the fourth trimester mean for parents?Īlthough the term “fourth trimester” refers to the baby’s development, it also kind of alludes to another three months of pregnancy - a good reminder that both parents and babies learn to navigate this new stage of life together. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for support. Working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help you ensure your child is gaining enough weight and that your feeding routine is working well for both of you. Pediatric appointments are usually scheduled at regular intervals throughout the fourth trimester. Of course, every baby is different and hits these milestones at different times. You’ll notice them beginning to lift their head, turning toward sounds, smiling, showing preferences for certain people, and even starting to coo. After that time, you’ll likely start to see clear signs that your baby is starting to make their way out of the newborn phase and start engaging with the world around them. The fourth trimester runs for 12 weeks, or until your child is about three months old. That means soft and varied noise, gently restricted movement, and staying as close to the mother’s body as possible. In order to provide the most comforting and supportive environment for a new baby, Karp recommends recreating the womb as much as you can. By contrast, it takes human babies an average of 12 months to take their first steps. After all, we’re much less capable at birth than, say, horses - who can gallop about 24 hours after they’re born. The idea is that (in order to allow our heads and their relatively large brains to pass through the birth canal) humans are born about three months early. Harvey Karp in 2002 as a way of explaining and understanding the needs of human infants after birth. During this adjustment period, infants will need a lot of close physical contact with their parents. It’s called a “fourth trimester” because during this time, your baby is still adapting to life outside of the womb. ![]() The fourth trimester of pregnancy actually doesn’t refer to pregnancy at all, but to the twelve-week period right after delivery. Keep reading for the ins and outs of what the fourth trimester is, why it matters, and what to expect in those precious early days with your baby. And although the birthing parent isn’t pregnant anymore, this phase is crucial to both parent and child development. The fourth trimester is a nickname given to the time immediately postpartum. No, you won’t be pregnant for twelve months (although sometimes it feels like it!). And it’s easy to be so caught up in just getting through those nine months that you forget all about the fourth trimester. ![]() ![]() Whether you’re expecting your first child or your fifth, the experience is completely different every single time. Pregnancy brings many of its own surprises. Author: TLN A complete guide to the fourth trimester
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