Natural Bonds M*E*T*A

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  The 4th Trimester_ What to Expect and How to Navigate It Painlessly

  Aug 20, 2023

   

  Natural Bonds META designs and produces skincare products that make a difference using natural and naturally derived ingredients. Shop online today or contact us for more information!

  If you thought pregnancy was over after your child's birth, think again! You still have to navigate another semi-official trimester: the 4th one. The 4th trimester is the 3 months after your baby is born – and arguably, it’s the worst of the lot. Not only are you now responsible for a new independent life besides your own, but you don’t have a dedicated healthcare team to rely upon anymore. 

  Many new mums struggle during this period, even more so than in previous months. Postpartum depression is common, as are (a host of) physical problems. But don’t fret – countless new mums have navigated this challenging period successfully, and so can you. Knowing what to expect helps, as does knowing what to do. 

  Below, Natural Bonds META offers this mini-guide on how to navigate your 4th trimester successfully: 

  Common 4th-trimester challenges for new mums 

  New mums may experience physical, mental, and emotional health challenges. Some common ones are below: 

  • Sore or cracked nipples: 90 percent of new moms have sore or cracked (fissured) nipples, according to a BabyCenter piece. Bad latching, breast problems, and eczema are some common causes.   

  • Fatigue: Verywell Family notes that moms commonly experience postpartum fatigue too. This is more than general tiredness – it can make you severely lethargic and make it hard to concentrate on day-to-day tasks. 

  • Sleep deprivation: Pregnancy can cause imbalances in your usual sleep pattern. Your child may also wake up at night and require tending, which may make any existing insomnia worse. Look for ways to improve your sleep, including limiting caffeine intake. Excessive caffeine consumption can certainly interfere with sleep, and, what’s more, consuming caffeine may have an impact on babies that are breastfed, as caffeine passes into breast milk.

  • Physical imbalances: Some common bodily issues are weight changes, hormonal fluctuations, pain from a C-section scar, loss of appetite, headaches, body dysmorphia, and more. 

  • Depression: Postpartum depression is common – and can affect your baby. Learning to bust stress and managing your thoughts and emotions will help.

  • Looking after your newborn: Tending to newborns is not easy. They require constant attention and special care – often at odd times.  

  Learn how to properly breastfeed your child

  Many new mothers don’t use the correct breastfeeding technique. Incorrect latching prevents your nipple and areola from going far enough into your child’s mouth, which irritates your nipples. Eventually, your nipples become sore and can crack and bleed. Learning how to properly breastfeed your child can save you a world of discomfort (and give your baby reliable access to the natural nutrition they so rightly deserve). 

  Of course, as with other post-pregnancy clothes, you’ll want to invest in nursing bras that are comfortable and versatile. You can save on maternity bras by looking for deals online. Some companies even offer special promotions on their bras when you bundle your order with other items like nursing gowns.

  Prioritize self-care in all cases 

  It’s only when you’re in good health can you adequately look after yourself and your child. Also, good health will help you stave off fatigue, depression, and other 4th-trimester challenges. Come up with a self-care plan, with daily healthful activities, to recover from your pregnancy stresses. Make sure it addresses all areas of your health – mental, physical, emotional, and more. Some examples are meditating, exercising (like walking), going out in nature, listening to music, picking up a new hobby, gardening, sleeping more, and talking to people you love. 

  When it comes to eating right, you should prioritize nutrition in planning out meals for a balanced diet. This includes snacking, too. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips or soda during the day, consume a piece of fruit, nuts, or a smoothie. Not only will you reduce hunger, but you'll gain energy as well. 

  Your baby is changing too

  Just like you, your baby is undergoing many changes too. These changes are especially prevalent in the first few months of the pregnancy. Their body, vision, and muscles are just beginning to develop, for example. This can cause them to be fussy, constantly hungry, and wake up at odd hours. With time, their digestion system will get stronger, as will their body. They will begin keeping to more consistent feeding and sleep times, and require less from you. Knowing what to expect can help you be more patient with the whole process. 

  Don’t do everything alone 

  You don’t need to do everything alone. There are professional experts you can hire – like doulas – that can help you with your care duties during the 4th trimester. Furthermore, you can get advice from your doctor about navigating the 4th trimester, including medical support for any specific problems (don’t skip postpartum checks, they’re important!). Last, but not least, you can get help from family and friends. You likely know many people who have raised children before – they can be a font of useful information.  

  Keep your medical records organized 

  Keeping your medical records organized – for both you and your newborn – is essential. You’ll need to furnish this information to doctors when asked. Also, staying organized can help you keep tabs on your health, ask the right questions to your doctor, fill forms out quickly, and more. PDFs offer a convenient way to organize your documents digitally. PDF is also the preferred file-sharing format for sharing files with healthcare professionals. 

   

  Becoming a new mother is harder than it sounds. Getting used to it will take time – and that’s okay. Be patient with yourself and be kind. Also, don’t forget to prioritize self-care. It will help you stay positive, not to mention give you the energy you need to overcome challenges and just be a good mom. 

   

  Image via Unsplash

   

  Marty Craig’s mission is to help others find ways to tip the wellness scale in their favor, meaning they feel healthy, happy, and alive and are able to bring that energy to their daily lives. She created The Wellness Scale to help her website visitors weigh the good against the bad, when it comes to health and wellness practices, so that they can find what serves their wellness journey and what doesn’t.

   

   

   

   

   

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