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The Fourth Trimester is the Hardest

January 19, 2015 by Julie 20 Comments

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When I was pregnant, I thought the hardest part was the third trimester and the labor and delivery part. Now I understand that the 4th trimester is really 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.

Fourth Trimester Hardest | Fab Working Mom Life #parenting #motherhood #baby #newborn #momlife

The Fourth Trimester is the Hardest: What I Wish I Knew about Life with a new Baby | Fab Working Mom Life #parenting #motherhood #baby #newborn #momlife #postpartum #newmom

 

Reasons why the 4th trimester is the hardest:


 

1. 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.

2. 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. 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!

3. 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?

4. 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.

Recommended Post:  How to stop Breastfeeding and switch to Formula

5. 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.

6. 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?

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!

 

Are you ready for 4th trimester - What I wish I knew and how to prepare for life with a newborn | Fab Working Mom Life #parenting #motherhood #baby #newborn #momlife #postpartum #newmom

Life with a newborn is hard! 

 

 

Read more articles on Parenting

 

Read more articles on Infants

 

Categories: Parenting, TopPosts Tags: Infants

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Comments

  1. Miranda says

    January 26, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 27, 2015 at 5:23 pm

      Well, I am definitely looking forward to it getting easier. Going back to work on no sleep is not fun at all!

      Reply
  2. Bev says

    January 25, 2015 at 7:37 am

    (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!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 31, 2015 at 5:29 pm

      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.

      Reply
  3. Hannah - Hippie mama blog says

    January 25, 2015 at 2:26 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 31, 2015 at 8:45 pm

      I do like to wear him 🙂 Biscuits, yes, but more like chocolate 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sharon says

    January 24, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 1, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks 🙂 Yes, a learning curve that is a rewarding process for sure.

      Reply
  5. Tin Box Traveller says

    January 23, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 1, 2015 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks 🙂 Yea it sure is a lot to handle and is not for the weak.

      Reply
  6. You Baby Me Mummy says

    January 23, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 1, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      Ouch baby and crutches, that must certainly been really difficult.

      Reply
  7. lifewithsixkids says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:33 am

    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

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 2, 2015 at 10:28 am

      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.

      Reply
  8. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 2, 2015 at 10:35 am

      That peri-bottle was a life saver!

      Reply
  9. Robin says

    January 21, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    I was really scared to go to the bathroom after my first, too! I just love this post!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 22, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      Thanks 🙂 So does it get better with other kids?

      Reply
  10. Jennifer says

    January 20, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 20, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      Such a true joke though. I wish I read more about newborns when I had the time… lol

      Reply

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Julie of Fab Working Mom Life Welcome! My name is Julie :) I am a Texan living in Hawaii (military life). I'm a mom, a blogger, and also work full-time in environmental compliance. I write about being a working mom to help myself and other working moms in our journey to find a balance between our family, responsibilities, and hobbies. I do this because we moms need a support network to thrive both at home and at work.

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