4th trimester
Nurturing You: Essential Postpartum 4th Trimester Care Tips and why it’s important
When we think of pregnancy, we often focus on the three trimesters. We know that different symptoms for mom, and developmental phases for baby, happen in each.
What is the 4th trimester?
The fourth trimester is considered the first 12 weeks after delivery. For a mother’s health, it is just as important as the first three! It is a crucial time to check in on postpartum cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health.
Why should I attend my postpartum check ins?
It’s important to make sure to attend postpartum check-ins to ensure you are physically healing well and that you don’t have any signs or symptoms of complications. This is a time when new moms have a lot to manage and often skip their postpartum check-up. Missing this appointment impedes getting the care that you might need for more chronic health conditions and physical recovery, but it also means we miss a discussion on family planning and contraception, as well as assessing your mental health.
What does my health care provider check in on?
From a physical stand-point, your doctor will be checking on healing - including scar healing if you had any stitches or if you had a C-section. They will also assess your heart and lungs (especially if you had high blood pressure during your pregnancy).
They will also check in on your metabolism ensuring your thyroid is functioning well and making your blood sugar is in a healthy range. These can be altered after delivery which may impact weight loss and metabolism.
Postpartum check ins are also a time in which your healthcare provider can screen for postpartum depression and anxiety or other mental health concerns.
Keeping these appointments allow your health to be prioritized and things to be caught and managed so you can continue taking great care of your new baby.
When should I be concerned?
The fourth trimester is also a time where we should be watching for more concerning symptoms like fever, heavy bleeding, severe headache, dizziness, swelling of your feet or extreme sadness. We recommend calling your doctor early (and right away) if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Family Planning
Discussions around family planning are also important, as many new moms are cleared to resume sexual activity at that “6-week check-up.” Breastfeeding can make it less likely for you to get pregnant, but it’s definitely not a recommended method of contraception! Your postpartum visits allow for you to have discussions around future contraception based on your family planning goals.
We also think it’s important to mention that your body will likely feel different - it took many months to grow a baby, it will likely take longer than 6 weeks to feel back to yourself. Many women don’t feel ready to get back to “regular activities” - whether that’s exercise, sex, etc. - at 6 weeks… and that’s OK!
How can my naturopathic doctor help?
As naturopathic doctors we can be an outlet to ensure you are coping well, have support and are optimizing your food intake and sleep. Naturopathic doctors can make recommendations around nutrition, lifestyle factors, and supplements that make sense for your case, as well as educate and empower you on when you should be seeking care from your MD and referrals from other practitioners.
Nutrition Specifics for 4th trimester
If you are breastfeeding, your nutrition demands will be higher. We can also gently support you with nutrition advice and recommendations to ensure you are meeting you and your baby’s needs.
We can assess and support iron levels and other nutrient status that may be at risk of being low postpartum and guide treatment.
As you navigate getting back into exercise we can help you ensure you are eating enough calcium (and calories in general!) to prevent bone injury.
How can pelvic floor therapy help?
Pelvic floor therapy is an evidence-based treatment which involves assessment and treatment of the muscles in our pelvis and abdomen.
In pelvic floor therapy we can assess any symptoms you are having (prolapse, pain, diastasis recti) and work to rebuild your strength and coordination. As your body shifts and your abdominals shift to accommodate a growing baby, your brain’s connection to how to “activate” these muscles can change. It can take sometime to “re-learn” how to use some of these muscles!
Having an assessment can be beneficial in building your confidence in returning to activity as well as gaining insight into what we can work on to help you feel ready. Everyone’s body and experience will be unique and will recover on a different timeline. Accessing supportive practitioners who can build a plan around your needs can be game-changing.
how can I get more help?
If you are interested in learning more about how we can support you, book a complimentary meet and greet with one of our naturopathic doctors.