Why everyone is obsessing over the fourth trimester
After 9 months of growing a human, and going through all the bodily changes that women experience; there is still another 3 months of change and growth to go! It’s referred to as postpartum, or the fourth trimester.
After your baby is born, your body needs time to recover. Your uterus will contract over the 6 weeks following birth and your body will release lochia (postpartum blood) for up to 6 weeks too. We know what you’re thinking — after 9 months of no period, you have a big old period for 6 weeks — how unfair! But it’s your body’s way of cleaning house and putting everything back together again.
What do I need to know?
Well, firstly you’ll need to rest as much as you can for the first 6 weeks. Your priorities should be self-care and caring for your new bub and not a whole lot else! If you have a vaginal delivery, you may feel tender and sore for a while. Peeing and pooping may be a little scary and a little uncomfortable but we have lots of tips and remedies to help keep your bits clean and cool during recovery.
If you’re trying to breastfeed, expect it to be the same as learning any new skill or practicing any new physical activity. It will take some time to master, and it might be a little challenging or frustrating whilst your nipples, milk supply and bub all find their groove.
Healthy Mother, Healthy Child
It is clear that healthy mothers are more likely to birth healthy babies. Research is now telling us that the health of a mother and the in-utero environment can continue to have an influence on her children well into adulthood. Adequate nutrition is so important for maintaining a calm nervous system, strong immunity and a great milk supply — so you’ll probably want to prepare some nourishing meals to freeze before baby arrives!
Postpartum Recovery & Health
When you research postpartum health, the focus is typically limited to postnatal depression. While postnatal depression is serious and deserves broad discussion, it is important that mothers are also educated about ways to regain and retain optimal health.
Should we only be concerned with postnatal depression? Here are other facets of a mother’s wellbeing that are key to postpartum recovery and health — vaginal recovery, nourishment for breastfeeding and energy to parent, as well as topics like body positivity and self-image rehabilitation.
In defining our focus as a brand and what postpartum recovery means to us and our moms, we examined theoretical and practical concepts to come up with four pillars for recovery. Through research and consultation with health professionals, here are our 4 pillars of postpartum recovery:
Rest: The body requires it, the mind deserves it. It’s space and time to physically restore and mentally calm. The body needs those beauty sleep hours to overcome fatigue and hormone imbalances while boosting immunity.
Nourish: Your cells and your baby need nourishment. A whole variety of foods and lots of water. Support your liver and kidney to purify your system. Support your milk supply. Support your energy to be everything for bub.
Move: The body begs for it. Gentle movement to connect with your body before birth to prepare for the greatest physical feat known to humankind, and after birth to refamiliarise with your old friend. Improve blood flow, blood detoxification, energy levels and immunity.
Breathe: Take a long slow breath. And repeat. The body is in control and it does all the hard work for us. Focused slow nasal breathing alkalises the system, pauses the release of stress hormones and holds back the panic.
Connect/Bond: Relationships are the true joy in life. You + bub. You + partner. You + parents. You + all the mom sisters sharing your experience. Connection strengthens immunity and lightens the load of life.
Most of all, remember to get what you need before you go back to giving. A happy mom is our favourite mum!
Our Story
Noonie is a unique maternity care brand founded in Australia for moms by Alana Nolan. The idea for the first invention and core product came when Alana’s friend was preparing for the birth of her first baby girl and required functional and hygienic cooling maternity pads post delivery. Alana was unsatisfied with the old-fashioned DIY “padsicles” but could not find any other viable alternatives even after searching every corner of the web. Refusing to let her friend use unhygienic and soggy padsicles, Alana proceeded to make the first noonie pad with integrated cooling.
Sensing that the new moms demographic is perennially overlooked and underserved, the Pad soon went from a home experiment to a commercial purpose addressing a global challenge. Together with her co-Founder, they began creating original postnatal recovery solutions. Through a miraculous discovery from the Australian bush, the Pad was followed up by the creation of a complementary no-touch soothing and cleansing spray.
