The "fourth trimester" isn't an official medical trimester – but it is a useful way of describing those first few weeks after your baby arrives.
You've spent months preparing for birth, but suddenly you're home with a tiny human who needs you for everything. You're recovering from pregnancy and birth, your routines have changed completely and you're learning how to care for your baby.
So what happens next?
The first visit
After you're discharged from hospital or a birth centre, your community midwife will continue to support you at home. Your first visit will usually take place the day after you return home. Your midwife will check how you and your baby are doing, answer questions and offer support with feeding, recovery and your wellbeing. Your baby should also have their Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) within the first 72 hours after birth. This checks your baby's eyes, heart, hips and testicles (in boys) for signs of certain conditions.
Around day five
Your midwife will usually arrange to see you and baby again at around day five. Your baby will be weighed to see how they're progressing, and you'll be offered the newborn blood spot screening test, commonly known as the heel prick test. A small sample of blood is taken from your baby's heel and tested for several rare but serious conditions. Early detection means treatment can be started promptly if needed.
Your final midwife appointment
Your final community midwife appointment, often called your discharge appointment, usually takes place somewhere between 10 and 28 days after birth, depending on your local NHS trust's guidelines and your individual circumstances. This is an opportunity to review your recovery, your baby's progress, feeding and your emotional wellbeing before your ongoing care transfers to your health visitor and GP.
You don't have to wait for this appointment if something doesn't feel right. Additional visits or appointments can be arranged if you need support with things such as jaundice, feeding, your baby's weight or your own physical or emotional wellbeing.
