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I’m three weeks postpartum with our fourth baby, and more than ever I’m realizing the importance of postpartum self-care. Of really taking it slowly throughout this “fourth trimester.” Of cherishing this time of adjustment, recovery, and new life. Of not rushing a “return to normal”. Of simply making time to take care of myself.

Learning how to ask for and accept help is paramount during this time. The day after Aletheia was born, and for the first week, my family was here in Virginia, tending to our every need. Cleaning our bathrooms, making all our meals, bringing me water, everything. In the second week, our three older children spent 5 days at my in-laws while Joe, baby Aletheia, and I had a little escape to a local Airbnb. I lounged and held baby and kissed baby and did nothing and it was wonderful. And then for the third week, the kids and I spent it in New Jersey with my family while Joe was at a work conference in Las Vegas. We were pampered by and taken care of by my family, and it was so rejuvenating. We aren’t back in our “normal” routine, and honestly, I don’t know when or if “normal” will resume. We’ll likely slowly figure out a new normal, a new rhythm to our days, and I’m cherishing this time as it naturally happens.

While I’m in this sometimes-difficult yet precious “fourth trimester” period, I’m trying to truly slow down (I have no choice because my body moves slowly, ha!) and make time for taking care of myself.

Here are a few ways I’m exercising self care in the fourth trimester:

1. Taking care of myself, specifically my skin. I turn 33 in just under one week, and now, more than ever, I’m realizing the importance of skincare. Specifically, safer and cleaner skincare. I partnered with Beautycounter and they sent me a few products from their Countertime Collection, which is a new collection that visibly firms skin and reverses signs of aging. Getting better with age? SIGN ME UP! I’ve been using the Ultra Renewal Eye Cream and Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence; my skin feels incredible after just a few weeks of using these two products. The eye cream is especially for reducing the appearance of under-eye shadows and crow’s feet, my two biggest problem areas. What I love most about Beautycounter: they prohibit the use of over 1500 harmful or questionable ingredients and their products are high-performing and luxurious. I definitely recommend this collection if you’re looking to firm, brighten, and plump your skin with clean, safe products.
2. Embracing doing “nothing”. Sounds simple enough, but it’s hard to actually do this at times. But during this postpartum period, it’s essential so our bodies can heal. Simply snuggling with my newborn and other children on the couch. Lounging poolside. Front porch sittin’, chatting with the neighbors as they stop by to welcome baby. Everything in me screams “do the dishes” or “make a list” but this time of healing and adjusting is so conductive to “doing nothing.”
3. Asking for and accepting help. If others ask how they can help (or even if they don’t), I’ve found that it’s easier to “do nothing” if we have help. It may be a neighbor, your spouse, family members, a friend, an organization. Wherever your help comes from, we need to realize that we can’t do it alone and that we can always ask for it and accept it. Allowing others in, especially in this vulnerable time, will open the door and allow community flourish, and that is a beautiful thing!
4. Arranging flowers. Late summer is the best time to have a baby because as you’re spending time recovering, your home can be filled to the brim with flowers. I always make time for arranging flowers, but especially during this fourth trimester. I think I’ve made arrangements almost every other day! You can have someone else forage for you, or when you have your care provider’s permission, you can venture outdoors and find some blooms yourself. Then just sit at the table or the kitchen island and arrange to your heart’s content. This is one of my favorite “slow living” exercises and brings me so much joy.
5. Reading (with or without the kids). In “real life” (aka not the fourth trimester) I feel like I never have time to read (or I just simply don’t make time to read). Since so much of this recovery period is spent sitting or lounging and nursing, it’s the perfect time to read. Read with your children, read by yourself. Tackle the stack of books that’s been sitting on your bedside table for months (years?). Maybe a good habit will form and I’ll learn to make more time for reading once I’m out of the fourth trimester.

In what ways have you taken care of yourself (or allowed others to do so) during the fourth trimester? I’d love to hear!

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Sponsor Note: Although this post was sponsored by Beautycounter, all content, words, and ideas are my own. Thanks for supporting the partnerships that help keep this blog running.