Trimester by Trimester: A Detailed Look at the 5 Pregnancy Stages with St. Augustine, FL Maternity Photographer
Did you know there are more than the typical 3 trimesters of pregnancy? Today I’m spilling the tea on everything you can expect from conception to the mysterious "4th trimester."
Haven’t hear of the “4th trimester”?? That’s ok! I hadn’t either until I had my first! I’m not only going to share with you what to expect in each, but also a lot of local resources you can use as you plan for your pregnancy, newborn and birth in St. Augustine, FL.
First Trimester: The Secret Life of Pregnancy
The first trimester is like a secret club where only you and your growing baby are members. During these first 12 weeks, your body is working overtime to create a new life, and you might be feeling the effects (hello, morning sickness). It's like you're part of an exclusive group that only fellow expectant moms can truly understand.
I feel like with the first pregnancy you don’t really know exactly what to expect and what your body’s symptoms will be like when everything happens; for me I always knew with every baby because I felt like I got hit with a bus. I literally slept 16 hours a day and everything else went by the wayside. Whenever I got that overwhelming, exhausted feeling that went on and on I knew I needed to take a pregnancy test. Friends and fellow moms who come to see me in the studio have had different experiences, though. For many it was soreness in their chest, overwhelming emotions, extreme nausea… I realized it really does differ woman to woman and it is so important to listen to your own body!
Here are some great resources in St. Augustine, FL to help you get through that first pregnancy and help you be as comfortable as possible:
Seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy can help with tons of issues you may experience such as back pain or sciatica pain: https://www.ancientcitychiropractic.com/pregnancy/
Acupuncture can also help relieve some of the tension and issues that go along with pregnancy: https://healingwatersclinic.com/
Talking to a midwife and finding someone you can trust to help guide you through your pregnancy is absolutely key to help you feel confident; there are many resources in St. Augustine but I have had great experiences with https://www.womenscareobgyn.com/locations/301-health-park-blvd-suite-219-st-augustine-fl-32086
Second Trimester: The Golden Age
For many, the second trimester is the golden age of pregnancy, where you can finally start enjoying the journey. With the nausea subsiding and the baby bump showing, it's time to embrace the experience.
This was the time I got the most done in terms of getting ready for my baby. I would go on walks in the evenings when it wasn’t so dang hot outside (but really, when is it not in Florida??) and started checking things off my list of what I absolutely needed to have if my baby came early… I ended up being really glad I did this with my second pregnancy because Little Man decided to grace us with his presence at 32 weeks!! Bare minimums are totally ok when it comes to prep with a baby: car seat, some sort of sleeping arrangement, diapers, a few items of clothing, and either a pump or some bottles… or both! It’s funny how we think babies need all the most modern items and tech but in the end we can make due with the absolute minimum and add more items in the future.
Third Trimester: The Home Stretch
If you make it to the third trimester then you can start going beyond the bare necessities and this is when things start to get real. As you prepare for your baby's arrival, you'll want to make sure you have everything in place for a smooth transition.
The Nursery
The nursery is so dependent on your personal preference, not just in terms of theme but in terms of how you envision your baby sleeping. I have a lot of families who come to me and have decided to co-sleep so they don’t even have a nursery or designated child’s bedroom until the first year or beyond. My husband and I decided not to co-sleep so our first baby’s room was a woods theme complete with handpainted tree and owls by yours truly. In the end I feel like if you have a cozy place to snuggle your baby and bond that you will be doing just fine. Having a place you feel good and can easily access diapers and clothes are really what’s important!
Birth Class or Doula
Taking a birthing class or visiting with a local Doula in St. Augustine, Fl can be a great activity before giving birth. St. Augustine has a lot of different classes and Doulas. Here is one such duo that offers different classes and doula services near you: https://www.thestaugdoula.com/
Preparing with Your Partner (or older children) For the New Baby
One thing that really helps with getting ready for a new baby is talking about it. This might seem like a no-brainer, but as the time to meet your baby gets closer time seems to get exponentially faster. Talking about your fears, excitement, and what the future might bring is a really great way of bonding with your partner and also getting on the same page. Parenting can be really h.a.r.d. and discussing how you want to handle certain situations can bring on some really insightful and constructive conversations. Going to the St. Augustine library and finding some big brother or sister books for your older child can also smooth that transition and give you some great snuggling moments with your soon-to-be oldest child. My kids loved reading books with me about becoming an older brother while patting my belly and talking to their newest sibling. It really was such a sweet time with them before life became a bit more chaotic.
Birth: The Main Event
The moment you've been waiting for is finally here: birth! Whether you're planning a natural birth or a C-section, this stage is exciting and emotional!
I had 3 babies and was fortunate enough to not have a c-section but there are still lots of pros and cons to having a vaginal birth as well. It took me a good month to be able to walk further than down the hallway, but it was a reminder to slow down and focus on recovery and health instead of jumping back into all the tasks of life. Clients and friends who have had c-sections have shared with me that recovery time can be quick or long depending on the birth, but that it is important to be patient so the staples stay in place and the muscles are able to restrengthen. Honestly, the most important thing to remember in this day and age of information and everything on the internet at our fingertips, is to listen to your body and to your baby. Just because one thing works for one mom (or doesn’t) doesn’t necessarily mean the same will be true for you, so it’s ok to listen most to what YOUR gut is telling you and feel free to check in with your doctor, midwife, or doula with any questions or concerns you may have, especially within that first month when things are crazy and new!
If you want more details on birth, make sure to check out this blog post all about 9 Things Your Doctor Probably Didn’t Tell You About Giving Birth
Of course, these are moments you’ll always want to remember (even if things don’t go perfectly according to plan). Hiring a birth photographer is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret! (Link your birth photography portfolio here or the birth photographer you recommend)
The 4th Trimester: What No One Tells You
Surprise! Your journey doesn't end with birth. The 4th trimester is the first three months of your baby's life, where both of you are adjusting to the world outside the womb.
One of the biggest lies about postpartum that I bought into was that it would be a cinch to breastfeed. I thought it would have its challenges but that overall it would come “naturally”. Off. I was wrong. It was NOT easy for me. My oldest son ended up having a tongue tie and couldn’t properly latch leading to my milk supply to dry up and our breast feeding journey to end. Buuuut, as my husband emphatically reminded me on a daily basis, it does NOT matter how your baby is fed, as long as they are fed. He was right, in the end I realized it wasn’t a failure on my part and that my baby was healthy, happy, and thriving and that was really the most important thing.
It’s ok if things aren’t as easy as what you thought they would be, it’s important that you get help if you need it and reach out to your family and friends to ask for help too. We are here for each other, espeically in motherhood because we’ve all been through the beginning when things can be super tough. Post partum anxiety and depression can also sneak up on you, and if you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or like things won’t get better, it is SO important that you talk to your friends and doctor/doula about how best you can overcome this hurtle and find your happiness again. I still battle with anxiety and my oldest is 11 now, worrying about your kids and being overwhelmed can often come with the job, but it doesn’t need to control you or your life or suck your joy out. I am so thankful for the love and support I’ve gotten over the years to make my anxiety a small whisper in my life now so that I can enjoy my kids and all the awesome memories we’ve made together. Know you are NOT alone in this journey!
Of course, every journey is unique, and it's okay to feel a whole range of emotions along the way. As long as you've got your support system and resources, you'll be able to navigate this crazy adventure.
Thanks for reading!