Much is written about the three trimesters of pregnancy. And duly so. It’s a time filled with unprecedented physical and hormonal changes for every woman. There’s also a fair sum written about the struggle of the “fourth trimester” – those first weeks of adjusting to motherhood and learning to care for a newborn human – all while still recovering mentally, physically and emotionally from pregnancy and birth. Thankfully, there is greater awareness these days of the potential for postpartum depression during this time and throughout the first year of life, as well as the importance of seeking treatment for these symptoms for the well-being of both mom and baby.
Now, the “fifth trimester” is when it gets a bit more sparse in terms of content - and maybe even a bit divided. For it is during this time that many new moms resume working outside the home or forge a new path as stay-at-home moms. This is when, for some moms, the days become so crowded with tasks that there is little time or energy left for significant research or study.
Looking ahead to returning to work can feel exciting for many new moms. As much as they love their little ones, there can be a longing to reclaim a career or work identity that seems lost amidst diapering, feeding and burping. While the first few days and weeks at home with a new baby are certainly a very special time in your family life, without a doubt these days are also super challenging. It seems only natural that you might want to put these days in the rear view and move on to greener pastures. The idea of associating with adults, wearing real clothes and having lunch in one place – sitting down! - can seem positively tantalizing after the sleep deprived days of early motherhood.
However, even those new moms who appear excited about returning to work may harbor concerns about just how they are going to do all the things that are going to be asked of them as employees and new moms. Certainly child care covers things during work hours. But what about all those things that need to be done outside of work time in order to maintain personal and family health and the family home? It’s not at all unusual for some anxiety to creep in when faced with all this uncertainty and expectation. And the truth of it is, there really is no way around it - except through it. There IS a lot to take on. And it WILL seem completely impossible at times.
For these reasons, a mixture of emotions – and possibly even some anxiety – is common for many new moms during the fifth trimester. It’s important to allow yourself to experience a range of emotions without judging these feelings as good or bad, right or wrong. There are so many details to consider and uncertainty about whether it is all going to come together. Getting clear about how to prepare and executing each of the steps can seem overwhelming. And certainly there’s no one, sure path to success in working motherhood. But it may be truly helpful to talk to someone who has been there, done the hard things and come through on the other side.
The transition back to work will bring challenges, for sure. That should be expected. But taking the time in advance of this important transition back to work to consider not only various tasks on your to do list, but also the emotional side of things will serve you well. You will return to work more grounded and self-aware. This head start will provide benefits for the years of working motherhood that lie before you.
Learn More about Postpartum Depression Treatment.