Must-Have Items for the Fourth Trimester

Preparing for birth is important but preparing for after birth is just as essential. That’s why in my one-on-one birth coaching, preparation, and postpartum planning experience, we spend intentional time focusing not only on labor and delivery, but on the transition home, the emotional and physical recovery of the mother, and the practical realities of early parenthood.

Inside our private coaching sessions, you and your partner receive in-depth postpartum guidance: what recovery really looks like, how to set up support systems, feeding expectations, nervous system care, and how to protect rest and healing during the earliest weeks. As part of this experience, you also receive lifetime access to my online birth preparation course, which includes comprehensive birth education, push prep classes, lactation support videos with expert tips, and ongoing resources you can return to again and again, long after your baby arrives.

Book a free, 30-minute phone consultation with me, HERE. Let’s talk about how you can be fully supported during this special time in your life.

The fourth trimester refers to the first three months after birth. This is a time of physical healing, emotional adjustment, and identity shift. While so much attention is placed on preparing for labor and birth, many mothers are surprised by how vulnerable and demanding the postpartum period can feel.

The fourth trimester is not about “bouncing back,” but about being held, supported, and nourished as you recover and bond with your baby.

Having a few intentional items on hand can make this transition gentler and far less stressful. Below is a simple checklist of fourth trimester essentials I’ve curated to support your body, mind, and nervous system during early postpartum.

Fourth Trimester Must-Have Checklist

Postpartum Recovery Care

• Large maternity pads or adult diapers

• Peri bottle (angled tops are best)

• Sitz soak or herbal perineal spray

• Comfortable, breathable underwear

• Loose (non-restrictive) nursing tops and bras

• Heating pad for cramps and back discomfort

Nourishment & Hydration

• Easy, nutrient-dense snacks

• Bone broth or warming soups

• Large water bottle with straw

• Electrolytes or mineral-rich drinks

Rest & Comfort

• Supportive pillows (bed + couch)

• Soft robe or cozy layers

• Eye mask and earplugs for daytime rest

Breastfeeding & Feeding Support

• Nursing pillow

• Organic cotton nursing pads

• Water + snacks stationed near feeding areas

• Prenatal lactation classes to help make this transition smooth

Emotional & Nervous System Support

• Journal or notes app for processing thoughts

• Gentle postpartum stretches, guided meditations, or breathwork practices

• A list of support people to call or text

The most important thing to remember is that you were never meant to do this alone. Postpartum is a time when care, education, and reassurance matter deeply, not just for the baby, but for the mother and partner too.