Jun 21, 2021
Trimester 1,2,3,4,5- Pregnancy and Beyond, You Can Survive
INTRODUCTION
Lauren Smith Brody: The Fifth Trimester
The Fifth Trimester is when the working mom is born. If the first three trimesters are pregnancy and the fourth is the newborn phase, the fifth is when mom heads back to work…often before she’s physically or emotionally ready to be there. And yet there she is, because that’s the reality for American women right now. (25% of new working moms are back on the job two weeks after birth. And only 56% of working moms even qualify for unpaid FMLA leave. The percentage who can afford to take all of that time off unpaid is even lower.)
THE CHANGING BODY
Hair Loss
Honor your body
Be patient with your body
PLANNING THE RETURN
CHILDCARE
Daycare
Nanny
Family
PLANNING TO QUIT
It’s normal
The Five steps
The discomfort is temporary
Think about what you get out of work
Realize what your job gets out of you
Consider phasing back in
Enjoy a bit of success
RELATIONSHIPS
Partner
Make time for each other
Date nights
It’s his baby too
Communicate, communicate
How not to kill your husband after having kids
Pick no battles
Friends
Changing dynamics
Ask for help
WORK CHANGES
Dry run before the actual return day
Shift flexibility
Pump breaks & Pumping spaces
Know your rights
Speak up
Choosing part-time
Postpartum mood disorder support
ADA accommodations
Prioritizing your career or not
Judging and shaming
Formula vs. breast milk, co-sleeping vs sleeping solo, sleep
training
Handling the conversations
Acknowledge their interest. “I appreciate that you’re thinking
about what’s best for our family. I know you love us/ care. Here is
what we think is best.
Legitimize their cultural cluelessness. “As you can see, this is a
topic and debate that so many people are having right now. Here’s
the choice we’re making”
Deflect their attention by asking, “What did YOU do?”
PEDIATRICIAN APPOINTMENTS
4 Month
Check your baby's weight, length, and head circumference
2nd round of (DTaP, Hib, polio, PCV, and rotavirus)
6 month
Physical
Weaning questions
Developmental milestones
This concludes the series of Trimester 1, 2, 3, 4, 5- Pregnancy and Beyond, You Can Survive. Thank you for joining us on this journey! You're welcome to reach out with any questions with an email to Hello@anesthesiamom.com
Please rate the show if you feel called to, it really helps us reach and help more moms.
Trust that you're making the right choices. Take pressure off of yourself to try everything. You're doing a great job Momma, see you next week!