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Preparing for Your 4th Trimester

Planning for postpartum begins during pregnancy. It’s an excellent time to meet with a postpartum doula and start making and talking through your list!


Preparing for the Fourth Trimester:


▫️Do your research.

Feeding, sleep, vaccines, circumcision, diapering, baby products and gear. There is obviously A LOT to consider before baby comes! Talk to professionals or other trusted parties who can help you find current, research-based information.


▫️Prepare your nest.

Stock up on healthy snack foods to keep in baskets near your nursing zones. Invest in a good water bottle. Set up and stock your diaper changing station(s). Stock your freezer with meals you can pull and reheat. Make sure you have plenty of comfortable, soft, stretchy clothes such as leggings, pajamas, nursing camis, robe, etc. You will be spending a lot of time at home, so have a few things that make you happy to look at (flowers, naturally scented candles, photos, salt lamp)! Make a list of podcasts, audiobooks, and movies you’d like to listen to and watch.


▫️Assemble your team. 

Postpartum doula, lactation consultant, counselor, massage therapist, chiropractor, pediatrician, dog walker...these are just some of the professionals you can call on! Remember that many of these services make excellent gifts for new families...put them on your registry!


▫️Gather your village. Ask a friend to organize a meal train. Have a rotating group of close friends or family that you can count on to come and help with household tasks, stop by the store for you, or watch over the baby while you shower or rest. These should be people you are comfortable being around wether you are half dressed, breastfeeding, or extra emotional. You should never feel like you are hosting or entertaining them. You reserve the right to ask anyone to leave or excuse yourself at any point.


▫️Don’t plan on doing much....at all. Your job is to care for your baby and rest. It is the role of your team and your community to nurture you so that you can focus your energy on nurturing and bonding with your new baby. Pushing yourself to do too much too soon will put your health and recovery at risk.

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