My Journey Through Pregnancy and the Fourth Trimester
I am not here to sugarcoat the ride. From the physical toll to the mental shifts, I am sharing the real, messy, and beautiful truth of navigating pregnancy and those first hazy months of the fourth trimester.
At 36 weeks pregnant, redesigning my daughter's room was a way to prepare our family for the new arrival. It was a special project to make her feel cherished before the baby came.
A real look at my first vs. second pregnancies. At 29, I had dengue but an easier labor. At 35, I had spotting and needed progesterone, but had no early admission. Every pregnancy is a unique journey.
Comparing my two pregnancies: the first included a relaxed babymoon, but a 28-hour induced labor. The second was a hectic trip with my first child, but a much faster 10-hour active labor.
The mental health difference between my pregnancies was significant. At 29, I was anxious and depressed. At 35, I was in a healthy mindset and worked until week 37. Inner work makes all the difference.
My physical health journey: I gained a similar amount of weight in both pregnancies. However, during the second, I focused more on protein intake and exercised after 18 weeks, which helped me feel stronger.
Health complications varied. In my first pregnancy, I developed Cholestasis. In my second, I had no Cholestasis but experienced very bad back pain. It shows how unpredictable each pregnancy can be.
I chanted this Krishna mantra for protection throughout my entire pregnancy. Having my daughter and niece place their hands on my belly while we sang together was a beautiful Garbh Sanskar practice that brought us peace.
About this collection
People often talk about the pregnancy glow, but rarely about the real decisions: choosing a mantra for calm when the world feels loud, managing back pain without rushing into medication, or the specific way I prepared my older child for a new arrival. This is less about following a perfect blueprint and more about creating a safe space for your changing body and mind.
My journey through pregnancy and the fourth trimester was anything but uniform. With my first child at 29, I battled dengue and anxiety, while my second at 35 brought spotting and physical challenges like back pain. These were not just physical hurdles but mental ones, requiring me to shift how I approached my own care.
The Reality of Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a unique journey for every woman. It is not just about the medical checklists, though those matter. It is about inner work. I found that combining strength training with mindfulness—like the Krishna mantra I chanted for protection and peace—helped me stay grounded. Whether you are dealing with the nausea of the first trimester or the third-trimester exhaustion, the goal is to parent yourself before you parent your child.
Surviving the Fourth Trimester
Many parents prepare for the birth but feel blindsided by the postpartum period. This is where I lean into the science. Understanding your own nervous system is the first step. You need a practical, realistic hospital bag checklist for yourself and your baby, but you also need a mental checklist. Let go of the pressure to 'bounce back.' Focus on:
- Connection over Correction: Your energy shapes your baby’s environment.
- Practical Prep: From nursing pillows to a long phone charger, the small comforts matter.
- The Emotional Shift: Give yourself grace as you navigate the identity shift of becoming a mother or growing your family.
Why I Share This
I share these stories because I want you to know you are not alone. Whether you are prepping your home for a new baby or trying to balance recovery with a toddler at home, there is a way to find calm amidst the chaos. Let us focus on what actually works for your family, not what the world expects.
Ankita B Chandak
Hey, I am Ankita. I have walked this path twice, and I have realized that while every pregnancy is different, the need for calm and connection remains the same. I combine my experience as a mother with my background in neuroscience and Montessori to help you prepare not just for the baby, but for your new identity as a parent.
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