Everything You Should Know About the “Fourth Trimester”

The nine months of gestation are divided into three stages of pregnancy, each with its own characteristics and events, called trimesters. The first three months after birth is a similarly distinct time for both baby and family, informally known as the fourth trimester. 

The fourth trimester may be thought of as a transition period between the uterus and the outside world. 

As newborn care specialists, our expert team of pediatricians at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, can help you through the fourth trimester with early-life medical care, advice, and handy information for new and experienced parents alike. 

Here’s everything you should know about the fourth trimester and how best to approach it as parents to give your child the best start in life. 

Helping your newborn adjust

It’s a harsh shift from the safety and comfort of Mom’s uterus to what your baby experiences after birth. The primary purpose of the fourth trimester is to ease this shift, providing your baby with familiar feelings, sights, and sounds. 

There are five things you can do for your baby to provide familiar sensations. These are: 

• Bathing
• Skin contact
• Feeding
• Swaddling
• Motion

While each baby has their own preferences, providing these fundamentals gives your newborn some sensory touchpoints. 

Bathing

Floating in a warm bath recreates the feeling of floating in the womb. Adding touch and communication with your baby provides a soothing environment while they enjoy the water and being cleaned. 

Skin contact

The sound of their mother’s heartbeat has been a big part of your baby’s experience in utero. Cuddling closely is something both parents can provide, adding Dad’s sounds and smells to the perceived world around them. 

Feeding

Newborns like to feed 6-12 times daily, regardless of whether that’s breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It’s another time to provide close contact and reassurance in the form of care that becomes part of your baby’s world.

Swaddling

The close confines of the womb have been your baby’s norm until the time of birth. Swaddling, wrapping your baby tightly, can create a safe and secure environment when everything around them is changing. Slings can provide a similar experience. 

Motion

Rocking and swaying may replicate the feeling of motion in the womb, and it’s a time-honored way for parents to lull babies to sleep. It’s another familiar sensation as they’re bombarded with sensory input from their new world. 

The fourth trimester for parents

Mom’s world changes dramatically at birth too, as does the household. Your baby is the central focus during the first three months, and it’s easy for parents to overlook self-care. 

One of the best ways for new parents to shift their focus is to ask close friends and family for help during the fourth trimester. Meal preparation, household chores, watching the baby or other children while you rest, and anything else that helps you focus on your newborn is fair game for those who want to contribute to your new life. 

You can count on us at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics to keep your baby’s health in focus with regular visits and immunizations. Call or click to schedule an appointment today.