What to expect in the Fourth Trimester

Fact 1: Your Healing

Your body has undergone a huge amount of change during pregnancy and birth- your organs have literally relocated to accommodate your growing baby. Your postpartum recovery takes time. 99-100% of women experience diastasis recti (the thinning and separation of the linea alba) this “gap” usually heals on its own but please know this is incredibly normal in pregnancy. Your pelvic floor has also been stretched, weakened, and lengthened during pregnancy. Regardless of the birth you experience, pelvic floor exercises to rehabilitate are very important.  

Fact 2: The Baby Blues

The postpartum also marks huge psychological change and a hormonal rollercoaster! The result is often new mums feeling down and teary for no particular reason a few days after their birth. This should improve fairly quickly, but if it does not or you feel you need extra help with your mental health in the postpartum, please speak with your midwife or GP as soon as possible. Postnatal depression affects around 1 in 10 women- it is more common than you realise, and you don’t need to suffer in silence.

Fact 3: Establishing Breastfeeding

Despite breastfeeding being such a natural feeding method, it can be far from easy in the initial days and weeks. Taking time to really focus on establishing breastfeeding is important to getting you off to a successful start, so embrace all the expertise and help around you to ensure you feel confident positioning and attaching your baby to the breast. Your newborn will feed 8-12 times in 24 hours so make sure you are sat comfortably with lots of snacks and water!

Fact 4: Toileting after birth

Let’s face it, every postpartum mum worries about their first wee and poop after birth. So how to make it more comfortable? First up- be well hydrated. If you are dehydrated your urine is more concentrated and can be abit stingy to any grazes in and around the vagina, the more dilute your urine the less chance there is of this- you can even pour water in the area as you wee if you are feeling nervous. Then for pooping- avoiding constipation is important so a good, high fibre diet will be helpful as well as pooping with your feet on a little stool to be kinder to your postpartum pelvic floor!

Fact 5: Sleep … or the lack of it

New babies do not sleep through the night- fact. It is actually a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of SIDS. The sleep deprivation can be tough so try to plan ahead in pregnancy to make life that little bit easier- batch cook and fill your freezer so you don’t need to cook, arrange a food delivery rather than a trip to the supermarket and ask for help! Motherhood was never meant to be done alone, they say it takes a village to raise a child so find your postpartum army and think about who you can ask for practical or emotional help when you need it.

About Pip

Pip is an experienced, practicing Midwifery Sister, MSc graduate, founder of Midwife Pip Podcast, Hypnobirth and Antenatal Educator, co- author of published research and importantly a mum.

Pip is on a mission to ensure all expectant and new mums feel like superwoman during pregnancy and when they give birth. Pip believes passionately that with the right support, honest and evidence-based information all birth should be positive regardless of any twists and turns that may crop up. For this reason, Pip begun her Instagram page @midwife_pip followed by her online courses where she is on hand to support and guide women through all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum every step of the way.

Frustrated by seeing families poorly equipped with conflicting, inaccurate, or unrealistic advice and information Pip decided this was not good enough. Pip is proud of how her Your Pregnancy Journey Course has momentously improved women’s pregnancy experiences as well as running her Antenatal Courses to ensure women and families are prepared with the very best information for their birth and start to parenthood. Friendly, non-judgemental advice and all with the benefit of exclusive community support groups.