After all the build-up and focus on pregnancy and birth, the fourth trimester is often swept aside. But as every new mum knows, the first twelve weeks after birth are possibly the most challenging and important part of becoming a mum. Amelia Lamont’s book ensures you don’t have to go through them alone.
Topics - the birth and the very start of the fourth trimester - the first day and night at home and how to prepare for them - milk and all the different methods of feeding - health checks and keeping track of vital health milestones - the importance of sleep and how to get it - finding your groove and maintaining your mental health and wellbeing.
Funny, authentic and full of heart, Amelia will help you adjust to life with a newborn. Whether you’re a new parent or adding to your family, The Fourth Trimester provides you with all the support, practical advice and encouragement you need to navigate this beautiful and challenging time.
Listening to this audiobook was like having a chat and a warm hug with a friend or older sister who just so happens to be a midwife and has had four babies herself.
There were some great practical tips but mostly it was just a really comforting read.
I listened to this prior to the birth of my second child. It actually made me feel more nervous about baby number 2! ;) She certainly “tells it like it is”. I’m less than a week in my fourth trimester, but so far I do find myself recalling some of the lessons from this book. Certainly the cramps you experience post birth with baby number 2 is something I didn’t know and was appreciative of the heads up! And the advice to get family and friends to help out by looking after your other child is something I hadn’t thought about prior but have been applying! I think well worth a listen for those wanting a refresh to the fourth trimester or want to prepare for their first fourth trimester - 4 stars.
I didn’t like the way this book made lots of assumptions about what the reader probably didn’t know, or definitely didn’t learn about in birth class. Cause my birth class did cover all this stuff and I can’t say I took much away from this book. I get that the tone is kinda casual but reading vjj and fan fan instead of vagina just felt off for me, especially since it’s coming from a midwife? Anyway it’s an easy read but not one that I’ll be passing onto the other pregnant women in my life.
A lot of great advice shared in a way that was accessible and honest about how birth and post partum can feel.
This is my own issue but I struggled to resonate with Amelia’s post partum experiences, which she speaks about in such a cool and blase manner. I also found that the casual way in which it was written gave me the ick at times (eg. Calling vagina “vajayjay” or calling a bottle a “botbot”).
DNF. Could barely get past chapter 1. What is I guess supposed to be a raw look of motherhood feels like a parody of itself. The language was like when Netflix tries to cater to a younger audience, and I was annoyed by the way that the book felt like it was using 'shock factor' words to get more views. 0 stars if I could
An easy read- I powered through it in a day. It’s written like you’re talking to a friend and has simple but practical advice. It helped reassure me that I don’t need a ‘plan’ or routine for birth and to go with the flow.