How I’m Preparing for The Fourth Trimester

Baby day is this month!! I’ve prepared a lot for what baby needs, but it’s *just* as important to prepare as a mom.

Back at 32 weeks 🙂

The “Fourth Trimester” is the first three months after birth. I heard the concept when I was pregnant the first time and it’s an idea I’m embracing more this time. I know this time will fly by so I want to be prepared for the mental and physical changes. It goes so quickly and I don’t want to wish it all away.

So here’s how I’m preparing!

I’ve spent the last few weeks stocking our freezer with meals for the first few weeks postpartum. Last time I made a ton of soups but I’m not feeling that this time. I also need to make dinner for a toddler and she doesn’t really like soup. Instead I’ve made some of the below and I’m grabbing some freezer meals from Costco!

I have made sure I have enough contacts, skincare, shampoo, etc, that I don’t need to buy any in the immediate future. We also are fully stocked on toilet paper, diapers for the toddler, and other household essentials. I know that it won’t be as easy to run last minute errands so I want to be prepared.

***Ok this next part is going to get into physical recovery, so if you’re not interested, you might want to skip the rest of the post 🙂 ***

Luckily I had some friends who had warned me about physical recovery and the fact that you will be feeling pain and bleeding (like a period) for weeks after a vaginal delivery. I know people who had NO idea what to expect and were shocked! I won’t get into too much detail, but you’re going to want to have some gear at the ready to feel better.

In my bathroom I kept Tucks pads, Dermoplast spray, and maxi pads. I also liked this Earth Mama spray when I didn’t need something as intense as Dermoplast. A lot of people recommended this underwear to me – I didn’t have it last time so the jury is out on how I like them. You’ll also want to get a peri bottle – the hospital provides one but THIS is so much better.

I also plan on making and freezing some witch hazel and aloe vera maxi pads. You can find a step by step recipe here. You can just use Tucks but I liked having frozen pads more, especially at the beginning.

In fact, if you’re a mom-to-be with no gear, just buy or register for this kit from Frida Mom!

It might take you a long time to use the bathroom but DO NOT RUSH YOUR RECOVERY! Take all the time you need and use every item you want. I have all my gear in a bin in my bathroom and just keep the door closed so someone little can’t get at it. Trust me – feeling comfortable is worth the time and gear.

I really want to take the first few months easier than I did last time. I won’t be getting up and ready to run at 6 weeks this time – I just want to savor these days at home and play with my toddler and cuddle my newborn. So this time I’m going to be focusing much more on adjusting to new life and taking it slow. You do not get these newborn days back!