Pregnancy Guides
Preparing for the fourth trimester during your third
Antenatal preparation covers the birth well and the weeks after it barely at all. Here is how to use your third trimester to get ready for the fourth, with a realistic picture of recovery and a plan you can finish by 36 weeks.
Antenatal classes, birth books and hospital tours cover the birth well. What happens after it, to your body, in your bathroom, over the following two weeks, gets a fraction of the attention. Preparing for the fourth trimester during your third trimester is the single most useful thing you can do with the last few months of pregnancy, and it takes less time than you think.
At a glance
- The fourth trimester is the first 12 weeks after birth, and the first two are the hardest to prepare for on the day.
- Order recovery supplies at 32 to 34 weeks and have them packed by 36.
- Plan for bleeding, perineal comfort, feeding support and a support person who knows the plan.
- Book the appointments now: pelvic floor physio, GP, child health nurse.
Why the fourth trimester needs a plan
The fourth trimester is the first three months after birth. Your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. You are recovering from either a vaginal birth or major abdominal surgery, your hormones are shifting rapidly, and feeding is being established, all at once and on very little sleep.
In Australia, most of the attention in this period goes to the newborn, which is understandable. But the person who gave birth has a recovery of their own, and the practical side of it, the bleeding, the first bathroom visits, the sore bits, the pads, is what most new mothers say they were least prepared for.
None of this is a reason to worry. It is a reason to plan. A few decisions made at 30 weeks, while you still have time and energy, remove most of the scrambling later.
What your body will actually do
Knowing what is normal makes the first fortnight far less alarming. Whatever kind of birth you have, expect the following.
| What happens | What it usually looks like | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Postpartum bleeding (lochia) | Heavier than a period for the first days, easing over four to six weeks after any birth | Thick maternity pads, disposable underwear, rest |
| Perineal soreness after a vaginal birth | Swelling and tenderness, sometimes with stitches | Warm-water rinsing instead of wiping, cooling pads, sitting on a soft surface |
| Incision care after a caesarean | Tenderness for weeks, limited lifting and driving | High-waisted underwear that clears the incision, a pillow to hold when coughing |
| Afterpains | Cramping as the uterus contracts, stronger during feeds | Warmth, rest, whatever your midwife suggests for discomfort |
| Night sweats and hormone shifts | Common in the first week or two | Layers, water within reach, low expectations of yourself |
If you are unsure which kind of recovery you are likely to have, our guide to preparing for a vaginal or caesarean recovery walks through the differences.
The third-trimester timeline
Babies in Australia arrive, on average, a few days before their due date, and plenty arrive earlier. Working backwards from 36 weeks gives you a comfortable margin.
Set up the bathroom before you leave
The first week home is spent going between the bed, the couch and the bathroom. Setting the bathroom up before the birth means nobody is hunting for supplies at 3am.
- Put a caddy or basket on the cistern or beside the toilet with pads, liners, a peri bottle and disposable underwear within arm's reach.
- Keep a second, smaller set in the hospital bag so the routine starts on the postnatal ward.
- Stock the freezer and the pantry with food that can be eaten one-handed.
- Write the phone numbers you might need on the fridge: your midwife, the hospital, 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for 24-hour nurse advice, and PANDA (1300 726 306) for perinatal mental health support.
Brief your support person
Whoever is standing next to the bed, a partner, parent, sister or friend, will do most of the practical work in the first fortnight: finding supplies, fielding visitors, making phone calls, remembering what the midwife said. They cannot do that well without a briefing.
Before 36 weeks, sit down together and cover who makes decisions if you cannot, what you want the first days at home to look like, who is allowed to visit and when, and where everything is kept. Our guide to what nobody tells the support person is written for them and is a good place to start.
Book the appointments now
Postnatal care in Australia is good, but it is easier to access if it is already arranged. During your third trimester, ask your midwife or GP about a pelvic floor physiotherapy appointment for two to six weeks after the birth, a postnatal GP check, and your local maternal and child health nurse service. Having dates in the calendar means you are not making phone calls while learning to feed a newborn.
When to call for help after the birth
Soaking more than one pad an hour for two hours, clots larger than a 50-cent coin, fever, increasing pain or an unusual smell from any wound, or feeling dizzy or faint with heavy bleeding all need urgent attention. Call your midwife, 13 HEALTH, or 000 if it is an emergency. Nothing in this guide replaces advice from your midwife, obstetrician or GP.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fourth trimester?
When should I start preparing for postpartum recovery?
Is it normal to bleed after birth?
What does the hospital provide for postpartum recovery in Australia?
How long does it take to recover from birth?
Should my partner or support person prepare too?
When should I book a pelvic floor physio?
If you are starting to think about what to have ready, the Frida Mom Hospital Labour & Delivery Kit packs the postpartum essentials most birth suites do not provide into one bag that goes straight into your hospital bag. Worth having by 36 weeks.
