©2013 by Carrice Quinnie. Not for resuse.
The first three months of a baby’s life are sometimes called the fourth trimester — a period of intense development, a biological bridge from fetal life to preparation for the real world.
By Guest Blogger: Carrice Quinnie
I’ve just graduated from the fourth trimester. My youngest daughter is now four months old.
The 4th trimester is the first 3 months after giving birth. It is an acclimation time for you and your new baby. The baby has to adjust to being out of the womb and mothers have to adjust to the new responsibility of caring for another person.
My last and final pregnancy was without complication. I decided to have a natural birth. After two very real and natural pushes, I was now a mother of three, not two. My daughter was now breathing on her own, hearing, and feeling all the sensations of the world. I immediately held her and put her to my chest, so she could hear the familiar sounds of my heartbeat. I began to rock her and she was calm and ready to eat. During feedings, I held her close, so she could feel my body heat, affirming she would be taken care of.
Comfort starts newborns off on the right track. I don’t think holding your newborn will “spoil them”. Babies need to feel peace and comfort while adjusting to their new environment. For the next three months, my newborn started her learning process. I helped and adjusted to her routine. I did not follow a systematic process of feedings, sleeping and play. I adjusted my daily plans to accommodate her mood and her sleep patterns.
When she would only sleep during the day, I would have her take all her daily naps in front of the window. Soon she began to take naps during the day and sleep during the night. She started to turn when she heard my voice and smile when she saw my adoring face. My little one now was forming her personality. She was becoming herself.
Now it was my turn… Childbirth is a miraculous and life changing experience. With every life change, we have to find a new balance. I was the mother of two for nine years. Now I’m a mother of three. Finding the balance between a pre-teen, a 9-year old, and newborn infant. My body had changed dramatically, my hormones were everywhere, but the show must go on.
My two-day stay in the hospital was a mini-vacation for me. Getting baby home, I was on my own. I did have a twinge of a meltdown the first week. But I pulled myself together and reminded myself, I could do this again. I took a deep breath and started to remember the things that made me relax. When baby was asleep, I would exercise. This helped my hormone levels and it helped me take the first strides in getting my pre-pregnancy body back.
I also took help when offered. If the dishes were piling up in the sink and clothes needed washing, I concentrated on my children. Building and maintaining the family bond was very important during this time. The dynamics of the family have changes, but the love only increases.
All four of us – my three girls and I, went through the 4th trimester together. The 4th trimester helped my oldest daughter to see how balance and prioritizing your life was important. My middle daughter was not the baby any more. She was now a big sister. She gained more confidence in her abilities. My youngest daughter began to realize being out of the womb wasn’t a horrible thing after all. I learned to adjust my life, once again, and to make sure each daughter received love and attention.
In three amazing, exhausting, precious months, my family increased in strength, patience, and above all love. The 4th trimester was the start of our new existence — our new beginning.
Carrice Deering-Quinnie is a native of Columbus. She is a professional working in Corporate America with her current company for 6 years. Carrice is a divorced, single mother of three girls, ages 11, 9 and 4 months.
