Wondering how to prepare for your first pregnancy in Metro Detroit? 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 Metro Detroit.
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.
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.
This is the perfect time to start planning and interviewing your newborn photographer (ah-hem, reach out to me!). Getting on your photographers calendar early will be one less stressor to deal with next trimester. This gives you a chance to find someone you feel comfortable with, a studio you can easily travel to, and you’ll know that their style aligns with yours, resulting is the most gorgeous images you’ve ever dreamed of!
If you’re thinking about a maternity session you may be looking at maternity dresses. I have some in my client closet, but here are some other places to shop.
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. I have to be honest, ours was never anything as fancy as I see today. We had neutral walls and simple decor. I knew I’d want to change it often, so I kept it simple. We also didn’t find out the gender of our first two kids, so I didn’t want anything to specific.
Metro Detroit Birthing Classes
Preparing with Your Partner (or older children) For the New Baby
Seriously, get a newborn photographer!
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 consider myself lucky. I meet a lot of new mamas, and I hear a lot of birth stories. There is no blanket birth story that can prepare you. I personally had easy deliveries. I did all 3 of mine without epidurals (thanks to a scary story I heard, which I’ll save you from, my choice of no epidural was more out of fear than experience). The most stressful part of my second birth was going to the hospital in active labor, only to find out they had no rooms for me, so I sat in the lobby with contractions until one opened up. I thought my husband was going to pace a hole in the floor!
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 birth photographer, Fresh 48 photographer, or newborn photographer is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret!
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.
I love chatting with new parents (or experienced parents) at your newborn session. Over and over we talk about things you never knew going into the 4th trimester, what no books tell you. How they’d change their experiences the next time around. I think that professionals in the field do a great job providing support for new moms. But coming face to face with post partum depression, anxiety, breastfeeding issues, bonding, exhaustion, is so hard to really explain to someone until you’ve experienced it. Please, never hesitate to talk to someone you trust about any and all concerns you have. Make sure to have a safe support system that will listen, advise and help without judgement. We need a village, and sometimes you don’t realize it, you don’t have to do it all. Taking care of you, and your newborn is the #1 goal, so use whatever resources you can to make that easier on yourself. You and baby will both appreciate it!
When is it time to ask for breastfeeding support? Check out this blog post all about breastfeeding and Metro Detroit 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 a Metro Detroit Newborn Photographer? Click here to see more of my newborn portfolio.
