Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition
4th Trimester / Postnatal
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Whether you're still at the hospital or home with your new family member, this page is here to help you navigate those three months after baby has arrived.
What to Expect During the Fourth Trimester/Postnatal
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The fourth trimester is the 12-week period immediately after you have had your baby. Not everyone has heard of it, but every mother and their newborn baby will go through it. It is a time of great physical and emotional change as your baby adjusts to being outside the womb, and you adjust to your new life as a new mom. The learning curve is real; it takes time to master those swaddling skills and distinguish cries of hunger from those of discomfort.
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The first three months of having your new baby home will seem like a big blur that included a lot of rocking, spit-up, crying, and sleepless nights.
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By that three month mark you will start to see your baby's personality come out and they'll have better motor skills.
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The early days of parenthood will be rewarding and stressful — full of exciting firsts and tremendous trials. These challenging 12 weeks will test your patience and exhaust you beyond measure.
Fourth Trimester/Postnatal To-Do List
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Apply for baby's birth certificate.
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Add baby to your health insurance.
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Get moving after you've been cleared by your doctor.
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Eat healthy.
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Stay hydrated - especially if you're breastfeeding!
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Sleep when you can.
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Get out of the house at least once a day.
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Use your village - call on your friends, family, neighbors, Facebook groups, Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition, etc.
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Give yourself some grace - having a newborn is hard, but you can do it!
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Get to know your baby.
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During those first few weeks, many birth parents will experience a fleeting case of the “baby blues.” Postpartum depression, on the other hand, sticks around and can have a completely oppressive presence in a new parent’s life.
The fourth trimester is what you’ve been waiting for — your baby has arrived and you are officially a parent! Enjoy this fleeting time. It will be frustrating, draining, and so incredibly rewarding.
If you are feeling helpless, hopeless, or unable to take care of yourself and your baby, seek professional help.
The Coalition now offers in-person and virtual English and Spanish mental health support.
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Tania M. Paredes, Ph. D., Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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Yaiza Sanchez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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Whitney Leon, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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Amy Gertz, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Please contact our office 305-293-8424 to request an initial session.