Expert Tips

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.”

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.” 

I had no idea there was a “4th trimester” until after I’d had 2 babies! I’m so glad I know now! 

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 Atlanta.

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.

With my first baby, I didn’t get to experience this feeling as I did not find out I was pregnant until I was already 11 weeks along! With my second, it was so hard to keep a secret as we knew so early and didn’t want to share with our friends and family until we were farther along. My husband and I are not the best at keeping secrets, so this was a crazy time for us to have such a big secret weighing on us every time we were around people we knew! 

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.

• There are so many fun ways to announce your pregnancy! With my first baby, I announced our pregnancy to our family around the holidays so I gave each of them a “Coming Soon” ornament with little baby footprints on it. They were so surprised! With my second daughter, we gave our first daughter a “Big Sister” shirt to wear when we visited family. You could even do a pregnancy announcement photography session with precious baby shoes, or featuring your first ultrasound!

• Get ready to do all the shopping! With your growing bump, you will likely need to find some bump friendly outfits. My favorite store to shop for stylish maternity outfits is Pink Blush Maternity.

Third Trimester: The Home Stretch

The third trimester 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 

Share your personal story about preparing the nursery here (or share what your clients do/did or the variations in parents’ preparation. For example: When it comes to the nursery, some of my clients go all out and are prepared months in advance, and some have 6 month olds without a nursery.)

Atlanta Area Doula

If you are looking for extra support during pregnancy and birth, I highly recommend Alexis Chambers Doula Services! Want to learn more about the role of a doula in pregnancy? Click here for my blog where I interview Alexis and dive into how she can support you.

I am a big supporter of a “babymoon” to celebrate your last trip before your new baby’s arrival. We took a beach vacation to Hilton Head and loved being able to spend time together, just with my husband and myself one last time before such a big life-change. 

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 was induced with both of my daughters, so I did not get the excitement of being on the edge of my seat waiting for their arrival. I am such a planner, that the induction actually put me at ease knowing exactly when the labor process would start. I will never forget the first time I got to look into each of my daughter’s eyes–it truly is such a magical thing to get to experience.

If you want more details on birth, make sure to check out this blog post all about 10 Things Your Doctor Doesn’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 newborn photographer to capture images of your new baby during the first few days in the hospital  is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret!  If you would like to see my hospital fresh-48 and traditional newborn gallery, click here.

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.

Personally, I struggled with breastfeeding with both of my daughters. Nobody tells you that these things might not come perfectly naturally for you or your baby, but that is totally okay and perfectly normal!

When is it time to ask for breastfeeding support? Check out this blog post all about breastfeeding and Cumming, GA resources.

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!

Since you made it all the way down here – are you looking for an Atlanta Newborn Photographer? Click here to see more of my newborn portfolio.