The ACCC Fourth Trimester Expo August 2024: A Time for Nurturing Mum and Baby

Where do you go and who do you trust with your newborn? You want the best, we have brought them all together at the expo. Tickets are on sale now.

Congratulations on your newly arrived (or soon-to-arrive) bundle of joy! Amidst the joy and wonder that can surround pregnancy and new motherhood, there's a period often shrouded in misconception – the Fourth Trimester. The fourth trimester is the first 12 weeks after birth, and it is a time of immense physical and emotional adjustment for both you and your newborn.
Think of it as an extension of your pregnancy journey, where your little one continues their rapid development – but now on the outside! We want to help guide you through this exciting (and sometimes exhausting!) trimester.
Exploring the realities of the 4th trimester, the village you need and deserve, and how to build a support network that enables you to thrive in this transformative time.

A Period of Profound Change

While you are preparing for pregnancy and birth, the crucial nature of the postpartum period can often be forgotten. During this time, your body is healing from childbirth, your hormones are fluctuating, and sleep deprivation becomes your new normal. Your new baby, still adapting to life outside the womb, experiences rapid growth spurts and needs constant care.

This period can be a beautiful time for bonding and learning, but it can also be overwhelming. It’s important for new mothers to understand, that as a new parent, you will likely experience a rollercoaster of emotions; including fatigue, worry, and even moments of overwhelm. Remember, these feelings are normal, and with the right support system, new mums can navigate them successfully.

Building Your Village: Why Humans Need Support

Humans are social creatures, and our evolutionary history reveals that raising children thrives on a village. A 2017 study published in Nature Communications [1] highlights the importance of social support for maternal mental health. Having a strong support network not only reduces stress but also fosters a sense of security and belonging, crucial for both mother and baby. This is why focusing on building your own village is so important.

Benefits of a Strong Support Network

Having a strong support system during the 4th trimester can positively impact both mum and baby:

• Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Feeling supported can lower stress hormones and improve overall mood [1,2].
• Improved Sleep: Having someone watch the baby in the mornings or throughout the day so mum can have a sleep-in or a decent nap can make a world of difference.
• Enhanced Breastfeeding Success: Studies show that mothers with strong support systems are more likely to achieve their breastfeeding goals [3,4].
• Faster Physical Recovery: A village can help with errands, cooking healthy meals, and household chores, allowing mothers to focus on healing.
• Stronger Bond with Baby: Feeling supported and less stressed allows mothers to be more present and enjoy those precious early moments with your little one [1].

The Power of a Diverse Support Network

Your 4th Trimester Village can be a beautiful tapestry woven from different threads of support. Some of the key players could be:

• Family and Friends: These are close confidantes and a mother’s chosen inner circle. They can offer hands-on help with meals, errands, and childcare.
• Community Resources: New mothers should consider joining a local new parent group, debriefing with a postpartum doula, or attending local classes tailored for the postnatal period. These offer opportunities to connect with other moms facing similar experiences.
• Healthcare Professionals: We can connect mums with other valuable professionals include pelvic floor physiotherapists for postpartum recovery, lactation consultants (IBCLCs) to support breastfeeding, and nutritionists or naturopaths to optimise your well-being. Additionally, chiropractic care can be another great way to support you and your baby. Our team of chiropractors at ACCC strive to provide excellent chiropractic care for both you and your baby. Chiropractic care in the postpartum period can promote optimal nervous system function and support physical recovery and comfort [5,6,7,8].

Tips For Building Your Support Network

• Start Early: Discuss building a support network with your partner and healthcare providers during pregnancy.
• Be Open with Needs: Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it's a listening ear, a hot meal, or a hand with laundry.
• Delegate and Communicate: Clearly communicate your needs and delegate tasks to your village members.
• Set Boundaries: It's okay to say "no" to protect your energy and well-being.
• Embrace Different Types of Support: Not everyone can offer hands-on help. A simple phone call or a thoughtful text can be incredibly comforting.
• Explore Local Resources: Look for postpartum support groups, options for meal delivery, breastfeeding clinics, or chiropractors focused on paediatric care in your area who have specific training to support your precious baby.

The Takeaway: A Holistic Approach to Your 4th Trimester
The 4th trimester is a time of immense change and growth. By embracing your support village and prioritising your well-being, you can navigate this period with confidence. Here at ACCC, we believe in a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to caring for you and your new baby.

Come to the Fourth Trimester Expo August 14th 2024 - Fast Tracked Your Village Development.

After such an incredible event in 2023, we are bringing the Expo back! With 16 different businesses, expert learning sessions, speakers and vendors you will learn, be nourished and build connections with important professionals and community connections that will be your go-to people when you need support in the Fourth Trimester.

To purchase tickets head here: https://www.childrenschiropractic.com.au/fourth-trimester-expo


[1] Social support helps protect against perinatal bonding failure and depression among mothers: a prospective cohort study https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-08768-3
[2] Social Support and Longevity: Meta-Analysis-Based Evidence and Psychobiological Mechanisms https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.717164/full
[3] Association between postpartum depression level, social support level and breastfeeding attitude and breastfeeding self-efficacy in early postpartum women https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249538
[4] Emotional and informational social support from health visitors and breastfeeding outcomes in the UK https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13006-023-00551-7
[5] Manipulation of Dysfunctional Spinal Joints Affects Sensorimotor Integration in the Prefrontal Cortex: A Brain Source Localization Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27047694/
[6] Drivers, barriers, and response to care of Australian pregnant women seeking chiropractic care for low back and pelvic girdle pain: a qualitative case study https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-023-00516-x
[7] Exploring the Neuromodulatory Effects of the Vertebral Subluxation and Chiropractic Care https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.326413372115168
[8] The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1050641112000430