Everyone knows there are 3 trimesters in pregnancy. But did you know there’s a 4th? Today I’m walking you through the 5 stages of pregnancy, including the lesser talked about 4th trimester.
I didn’t even know there was such a thing as the 4th trimester until my third or fourth baby, or at least not that there was a name for it. These days I would argue that talking about the postpartum period is just as important as educating yourself on the birthing process and options.
I’m not only going to guide you through what to expect each trimester; I’m also going to share some local resources you can use as you plan for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Tifton and surrounding areas.
First Trimester: The Secret Life of Pregnancy
The first trimester is kind of like a secret club that only you and your baby are members of. You might not be ready to share the news yet. There’s no visible evidence of pregnancy, but boy can you feel it. During these first 12 weeks, your body is working overtime to create this new life. Hello exhaustion, brain fog, and morning sickness. Or, if you’re anything like me, all day sickness.
I think the most important thing to remember in this stage is to give yourself some grace. You probably won’t be operating at 100% and that’s ok. Rest whenever you can, your body needs it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but more importantly, don’t be afraid to accept help.
Hot Tips:
- For natural morning sickness remedies, check out Farmacy Herb Makers Nursery every Saturday at the Tifton Farmer’s Market. Eda provides medicinal herbs and teas and is a wealth of knowledge.
- Read 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Birth to help you start a conversation with your doctor and get the kind of birth you want.
Second Trimester: The Golden Age
For most women, the second trimester is a reprieve. After months of feeling tired and sick, you start to feel human again. You might be starting to show and finally be ready to embrace the experience.
Now is the time to get back in the habit of moving your body, traveling, and doing things you love.
2nd trimester faves:
- I had a hard time finding maternity clothes I loved locally. These are my absolute favorite maternity leggings and compression nursing tank. I had multiples of each of these and wore them literally all the time from my second trimester and for months postpartum. My SIL was still wearing these nursing tanks more than a year postpartum because she loved the compression. (*Full disclosure, as an Amazon associate I may earn from qualified purchases.)
- Consider a doula for additional birth support. Two that I know of local to or near Tifton: Lori Broadaway and Kristie Horton.
Third Trimester: The Home Stretch
Now things are getting real. The countdown is on, but it can also be hard to imagine having your baby in your arms and not inside your body.
Preparing your home can make it feel a little more real. Some Moms go all out and have a full nursery prepared months before baby’s arrival. And some others don’t have a nursery or separate room for the baby at all. I’m in the second group. All of our babies slept in our room for at least the first 6 months, most of them longer. We had a bedside bassinet and everything I might need for me or baby within reach. Touching these things and “nesting” helped settle my mind.
3 things for the 3rd tri
- Consider a childbirth class, like one from Evidence Based Birth.
- A Must Read: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
- Books to help siblings get ready: Joanna Cole’s I’m a Big Brother/Sister, Mercer Mayer’s The New Baby
Birth: The Main Event
It’s finally here! The day you will meet your baby for the first time. Whether you’re planning a hospital birth or homebirth, vaginal or c-section, this is the most exciting and emotional stage.
Each birth is unique, but always an incredible and powerful experience.
Of course, these are moments you will always want to remember (even if things don’t go according to plan). Hiring a birth photographer to capture and tell the story is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret.
Birthy things
- Must have: yoga balls. Birth balls can be used throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for relief of pressure and pain, posture improvement, and to encourage optimal fetal positioning. They are such a great, versatile tool to have in your box. Check out this article from Spinning Babies about the many ways you can use a birth ball.
- Learn more about birth photography.
- 5 Things Your Doctor Might Not Tell You About Giving Birth
The 4th Trimester: What No One Tells You
Surprise! Your journey doesn’t end with birth. It’s really just beginning! The 4th trimester is —theoretically (more on this later)— the first 3 months of your baby’s life, where both of you are adjusting to life outside the womb.
I never expected those first months to be so hard. Learning to care for a newborn, figuring out how to care for yourself (and sometimes multiple kids) at the same time. It can be a lot. Not to mention your body is healing, you have a literal open wound inside of you, and your hormones are going bananas trying to readjust.
It’s A LOT a lot.
When my second was born, we didn’t have a great support system. We lived a few hours from family, didn’t have local friends, and my husband worked almost all the time. I very quickly slid into depression and it was a hard and scary time.
Postpartum is the time to really lean on your tribe. If you feel like something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to let your partner or support people know and reach out to your doctor. If you don’t have a support system: reach out to me and I will help you get whatever it is that you need, even if it is only to know that you are not alone.
Motherhood can be brutal. We’re in this together.
If you’re local to Tifton, there are also a couple of great Facebook groups where you can reach out for support from other Moms:
Of course, every Mom’s journey is unique, and it’s ok to feel a whole range of emotions along the way. As long as you’ve got your support system and resources, you’ll be able to navigate this crazy adventure.
I hope this post about the 5 stages of pregnancy has been helpful. Would you add anything?
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