fourth trimester
noun
: the three month period immediately following giving birth in which the mother typically recovers from childbirth and adjusts to caring for her infant
The "fourth trimester" is a catchphrase used to describe the postpartum period, defined as the first 12 weeks after delivery.—
Meera Varma Simões
Meera Varma SimõesWomen and their families experience substantial physiological, social, and emotional changes. … Most women would benefit from much closer follow-up during the fourth trimester.—Ilona T. Goldfarb
Ilona T. Goldfarb
especially
: the first three months of an infant's life
The concept of the fourth trimester—the three-month period of adjustment for babies to life outside of the womb—was introduced in the late 1970s and then popularized by pediatrician Harvey Karp … in 2002. —Maggie Overfelt
Maggie Overfelt Examples of fourth trimester in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meet the Expert Kavita Vani, MD, is the director of fourth trimester and postpartum services at Montefiore Einstein and assistant professor of maternal-fetal medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
Chefs curate meals to promote lactation and restore nutrients needed in the fourth trimester.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024
My first fourth trimester was filled with a lot of transformation, physically and emotionally.
—Ellen Marie Bennett, Bon Appétit, 22 July 2024
Postpartum doulas are generally trained to assist families during the three months after birth (known as the fourth trimester).
—Pam Skop, Parents, 15 May 2024
Having everything together in one place makes the early days of your fourth trimester a little bit easier.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024
But the early weeks and months after baby’s arrival, often known as the fourth trimester, can be an even more critical time in a family’s reproductive health.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Bump Boxes Bump Boxes are packed with goodies for expecting moms at any stage of pregnancy and beyond, including the fourth trimester.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024
The slight compression offers the body plenty of support during the fourth trimester.
—Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024
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Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
Chefs curate meals to promote lactation and restore nutrients needed in the fourth trimester.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024
My first fourth trimester was filled with a lot of transformation, physically and emotionally.
—Ellen Marie Bennett, Bon Appétit, 22 July 2024
Postpartum doulas are generally trained to assist families during the three months after birth (known as the fourth trimester).
—Pam Skop, Parents, 15 May 2024
Having everything together in one place makes the early days of your fourth trimester a little bit easier.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024
But the early weeks and months after baby’s arrival, often known as the fourth trimester, can be an even more critical time in a family’s reproductive health.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Bump Boxes Bump Boxes are packed with goodies for expecting moms at any stage of pregnancy and beyond, including the fourth trimester.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024
The slight compression offers the body plenty of support during the fourth trimester.
—Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Fourth trimester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth%20trimester. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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