3 tips to navigate the 4th trimester
New parents spend a great amount of time preparing for birth (as they should!). What you do to nourish yourself and your growing baby will overflow into your postpartum experience. We all leave the the birth space forever changed and sometimes having a plan can help you feel a little more prepared for your new normal. Here are 3 tips to help you navigate the 4th trimester :
Find your voice.
If you have spent any amount of time with me during your pregnancy, you know how serious I am about self-advocacy. This is because learning to speak up for yourself can take a while as you find your voice. Most of us have grown up in families or spaces where we have learned to suppress our needs and wants. We want to make sure that as you transition through your birth space that you are confident being loud and clear about the care you would like to receive from your support team. Advocacy for you and you baby will continue for the remainder of the time they are in your loving care.Practice your boundaries early and often.
No is complete sentence. However, I find that it’s helpful telling people what they can do to help instead of feeling guilty for allowing them to cross your threshold of comfortability. Creating healthy boundaries takes time, patience, and a lot of grace. That’s why I want you to think about what boundaries you can practice now that will help you prioritize your holistic health as you care for your baby.
Create community with people who fill your cup.
Postpartum is a beast when you go at it alone. You can experience mood disorders in pregnancy and postpartum. We want to make sure that you have a soft place to land when life gets hard. If it’s accessible, please consider bringing on a therapist to help you process your parenting journey. They are professional, safe, and non-biased support that can help you manage the wide range of emotions that come during postpartum. Sometimes our circles can change as our lives change and that’s okay. Take some time to find community groups that can help you bridge the emotional support gaps you may experience as you heal.