When I was pregnant, I thought the hardest part was the third trimester and the labor and delivery part. Now I understand that really the 4th trimester is the hardest.
I never knew that the first 12 weeks of your baby’s life was being referred to as the 4th trimester until the last month of my pregnancy. I thought it was an interesting tongue-in-cheek type comment, but life with a newborn is hard, really hard.
Honestly, I don’t remember my pregnancy being this hard. In the first month, I even joked about sticking the baby back inside. Which trimester is the hardest? Yep, it’s the one after baby is born.
Table of Contents
Reasons why the 4th trimester is the hardest:
The hardest part of being a new mom is the sleepless nights and constant demands on your body and attention.
Post Delivery Body Aches
Labor and Delivery is a full-body workout – you are so sore. Everything hurts, things you didn’t know existed hurt, and you know what isn’t all that much fun when you’re already hurting? Weightlifting. Bending over and picking up baby is definitely a workout.
Going Potty After Delivery
Going to the bathroom is painful and scary. Not only are your pushing muscles completely spent, but for some reason, your body decides to hold it in for a few days. So when you do go #2, ouch!
Also, if you got stitches down there, going #1 isn’t fun either. You might even wonder how to pee postpartum without crying. And wiping isn’t a thing that happens for a while so hurray for spray bottles and iodine.
And let’s not mention the month-long period from Hell! Well, sorry I did mention it.
No Sleep
If you thought 3rd-trimester insomnia was bad, try having to feed the baby every 2-3 hours (and that clock starts from the beginning of the feeding – which can take over an hour). What is sleep?
Recovery
Your own recovery is slow. So when you’re sick you’re told to get lots of rest, right? Well, with a new baby there is no such thing, so (if you’re like me) you tend to take a long time to recover.
And with a weaker body comes a weaker immune system so you may tend to get colds (like me).
Painful Boobs
Ow, my boobs! Breastfeeding is super painful at first – not just with latching issues but with general sensitivity, engorgement, blocked ducts, etc pain – OMG do not lie on your tummy or have the shower spray your front. No joke I had to shower in a bikini top.
Learning curve
Being a new mom is hard work. You have to learn so much in a short amount of time about feeding, changing, playing, nurturing, etc. The more you read, the more confusing it gets since there are so many theories on this baby stuff. So it takes time while to figure out your own rhythm.
But at least you can stock up on freebies, right?
Closing
The hardest part of being a new mom is the lack of sleep. Newborns need to be fed every few hours, and they don’t always sleep through the night. This can be exhausting for new moms. New mothers often have to deal with the challenges of breastfeeding and pumping. You may also feel like you are not doing a good job, even though you are trying your best.
Why is the fourth trimester so hard? And what happens next? Oh yea, the 5th Trimester! Just when you think you’ve got this baby thing figured out and get the hang of things – it is time to return to work!
How did you handle the fourth trimester? Let’s commiserate mamas!
Life with a newborn is hard!
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Miranda says
Oh boy! The fourth trimester sure is hard! Especially with a baby that doesn’t sleep on the same schedule as everyone else and who cries so much! But it’s also so worth it and definitely gets easier.
Julie says
Well, I am definitely looking forward to it getting easier. Going back to work on no sleep is not fun at all!
Bev says
(And just to add: as soon as you have it figured out, they go through a huge developmental shift!)
I remember learning about the “4th trimester” toward the end of my pregnancy as well. I don’t think anyone fully preps you for how hard it will be! I mean, I knew I would be sleep-deprived, but WOW! And the physical pain afterwards, oh my. Great post, stopping by from STIS!
Julie says
Thanks 🙂 You’re right, a developmental shift changes everything that you already thought you had mastered. Phew this new mom thing is not for the weak.
Hannah - Hippie mama blog says
It really is the hardest, but the most rewarding too. I’m so looking forward to going through it all again when little one arrives in May . Could be interesting with a toddler though.
I found sharing baths with baby and baby wearing were really helpfully to keeping my sanity in the fourth trimester. That and biscuits.
Julie says
I do like to wear him 🙂 Biscuits, yes, but more like chocolate 🙂
Sharon says
Congratulations on your recent birth. You are so right about everything! But like you said all is a learning curve too. I know you will continue to blossom and all will be well.
Julie says
Thanks 🙂 Yes, a learning curve that is a rewarding process for sure.
Tin Box Traveller says
I totally agreed with you just reading your post title! Getting to grips a new baby, the culture shock, lack of sleep and healing are all massive mountains to climb when all you want is a hot cuppa. Great post! #thelist
Julie says
Thanks 🙂 Yea it sure is a lot to handle and is not for the weak.
You Baby Me Mummy says
It certainly was for me, I was on crutches with SPD for the last 3 months of my pregnancy. Not the best time (apart from the fact that I was pregnant aside! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Julie says
Ouch baby and crutches, that must certainly been really difficult.
lifewithsixkids says
It’s true that we give birth and then think, that’s it. But actually, you’re right, after giving birth can be harder as you have a baby to look after as well. More should be said about this period so mums can be prepared
Julie says
Exactly – being prepared for labor is easier since there is so much information out there. But the recovery plus newborn phase isn’t talked about as much.
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I had two children and I never heard of this 4th trimester term before but I totally identify and get it!
All your points are bang on. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the fact that I depended on my peri-bottle so much while going to the bathroom.
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Julie says
That peri-bottle was a life saver!
Robin says
I was really scared to go to the bathroom after my first, too! I just love this post!
Julie says
Thanks 🙂 So does it get better with other kids?
Jennifer says
This exactly described my first few months with our son as well. I would say it really took me about 6-8 months to feel like I got my groove with him. I remember reading somewhere afterwards a joke about how pregnant women read tons of books about birth and pregnancy, but really they should be reading about newborns! It made me laugh 🙂 Enjoy your little one!
Julie says
Such a true joke though. I wish I read more about newborns when I had the time… lol