Why is it so important to write not only a birth plan but a 4th Trimester Plan? Whether you are a new mom or expecting your second/third/or more, taking a minute to sit and write down your plan for postpartum will be essential. Back in the day when we used to be hunters and gathers instead of buying groceries at the store, we used our stress mode for only a couple of hours and then reset. Unfortunately, in our modern day life our nervous system is hit hard with way too many stressors. I was thrown into postpartum like being thrown into a fight ring. We just watched the new Marvel movie, "Shang-Chi," which was amazing by the way but in the middle of the movie when he is thrown into fighting his sister *spoiler alert* I felt like here we go entering into the highest stress mode possible. This can affect and cause chaos to our hormones aka hello weight gain here to stay. What if the 4th trimester could be filled with CALMness instead of CHAOS? Unfortunately, after my first was born we spent a week in the NICU after a medical mistake. Rough start for both of us resulted in unfixable health challenges and medical mysteries for years to come.

Here are three tips on how to start prepping for the 4th Trimester:

#1. Build your COMMUNITY and write down the main five people you can lean on. It could be friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors. Write down who will do each task. Will someone drop off food for you? Can someone come fold the laundry? Who can you call at midnight and cry to? We all need to be heard. 

#2. Set BOUNDARIES. It's all fun to meet and hold the baby but you need rest too so no hosting anyone. I mean it. If you feel like you'll have to jump up and down and all around to accommodate your guests then please don't invite them. Postpartum is a very important time for you to heal. If you haven't set boundaries and clear communication yet, now is the time. 

#3. Pencil in SELF-TIME. Whether it's to have a power nap, shower, eat, or do something that you love make sure you make room for it because no one else will. You're in charge of your own body, love it as you love your baby because it built that baby in nine months. Give yourself a break to be yourself and do that thing you did before you became a mom. I got back into dancing. It did take time but I learned slowly that the best mom I can be is when I take care of me.