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The Fourth Trimester

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The fourth trimester is characterised by a myriad of profound changes that affect the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of a woman as she adjusts to motherhood. Given the significance of all these changes, why are monitoring, support and anticipatory guidance not offered with the same intensity as during the antenatal period?

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The first few months after birth are essential for establishing family wellbeing. For mothers, the first 12 weeks postpartum, also known as the fourth trimester, should be seen as a continuum of pregnancy and an important period of recovery and family adjustment. Typically a time of great joy, the early postpartum period is also a time of significant challenge as new mothers adapt to hormonal and physical changes, recover from delivery, endure sleep deprivation and adapt to shifting family responsibilities.

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Meet the educator

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Anne Watkins
Anne is a freelance lecturer and medical writer at Mind Body Ink. She is a former midwife and nurse teacher with over 25 years’ experience working in the fields of healthcare, stress management and medical hypnosis. Her background includes working as a hospital midwife, Critical Care nurse, lecturer in Neonatal Intensive Care, and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for a company making life support equipment. Anne has also studied many forms of complementary medicine and has extensive experience in the field of clinical hypnosis. She has a special interest in integrating complementary medicine into conventional healthcare settings and is currently an Associate Tutor, lecturing in Health Coaching and Medical Hypnosis at Exeter University in the UK. As a former Midwife, Anne has a natural passion for writing about fertility, pregnancy, birthing and baby care. Her recent publications include The Health Factor, Coach Yourself To Better Health and Positive Thinking For Kids. You can read more about her work at www.MindBodyInk.com.
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368 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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Meg Supel
20 Apr 2022
Great topic & well written article.
BC
Bernadette Cescato
01 Apr 2022
Fantastic well thought out article . Well written and factual
HF
Hong Fung
02 Jun 2022
Registered Nurse
Good
MF
Mary-Andree Fox-Slater
01 Apr 2022
Love and encourage this
KI
Khalia Ippoliti
26 Feb 2023
Great teacher very knowledgeable
XM
Xavier Mathew
11 May 2022
Informative topic
NG
Nicole Glass
13 May 2022
Good topic
OG
Olivia Golledge
31 Mar 2022
As a practice nurse this was extremely informative and beneficial for my practice.
MK
Maria Kho
31 Mar 2022
More people need to read this. Very insightful
AC
Ann cook
12 May 2022
Registered Midwife
Easy to read article that was succinct and relevant in its information.
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