What You May Not Know About the 5 Stages of Pregnancy (from a South Louisiana Newborn Photographer)

Did you know there are more than the typical 3 trimesters of pregnancy? I had no idea there was a “4th trimester” until after I had my daughter! As a South Louisiana Newborn Photographer, I’m spilling the tea on everything you can expect from conception to the mysterious “4th trimester.”

I’m not only going to share with you what to expect in each stage of your journey, but also some Acadiana resources in South Louisiana you can use as you plan.

First Trimester: The Secret Life of Pregnancy | South Louisiana

The first trimester is like a secret club where only you, maybe your spouse, and your growing baby are members. During these first 12 weeks, your body is working overtime to create a new life, and you might be feeling the effects (insert morning sickness and extreme exhaustion). It’s like you’re part of an exclusive group that only other expectant moms can truly understand.

In my first trimester, I wasn’t trying to keep my pregnancy a secret but no one really knew I was expecting unless I blurted it out…because I just looked like I had eaten one too many pounds of crawfish (my pregnancy craving). Oh, and my “morning sickness” was indeed NOT in the morning…the nausea would come swooshing in late afternoon into the evening. I remember begging my husband to pick up crackers and gingerbread cookies on his way home from work for nausea. I hated the taste of gingerbread…but I was desperate. There are lots of options to remedy morning sickness, but ultimately, I resorted to a ginger supplement (and saltine crackers) which helped take the edge off.

Then, there were the near syncope (near fainting) episodes that happened if I did not eat EVERY 2 HOURS!! Even if I wasn’t hungry, I had to eat something or there went Stacy, laid out on the floor with someone kicking me to try to wake me up (okay, maybe it was just that one co-worker).

Second Trimester: The Golden Age

For many, the second trimester is the golden age of pregnancy, where you can finally start enjoying the journey. With the nausea subsiding and the baby bump showing, it’s time to embrace the experience.

This is usually the stage when most people begin sharing their exciting news with more people, and spreading the news. For some, this is informal and low key; but for others it may be something they want to share to the world in photos. As a South Louisiana Newborn Photographer, I thought I’d drop you a little inspo if you’re looking to do something a little more creative. And if you’re looking for a professional photographer to help make your vision come to life for your special announcement, I’d be happy to help! (shameless plug)

You may also start needing maternity clothes in this trimester. Flowy dresses always work great during pregnancy, especially if you’re not quite big enough yet for true maternity clothes. However, when the baby really starts growing, you can find some really cute maternity pieces online at PinkBlush Maternity or H&M. If you’re looking for someone a little cheaper, you can try Old Navy, or even Goodwill or ThreadUp.

Third Trimester: The Home Stretch | South Louisiana

The third trimester is when things start to get REAL. As you prepare for your baby’s arrival, you’ll want to make sure you have everything in place for a smooth transition.

When we were expecting my daughter, I went all out…the white crib, freshly painted room in light purple with a wallpaper border of butterflies, the matching bed set, the mobile, the decor…I did it all. Please know this…if it is not in your budget to go all out, or you just don’t have the energy for it…that is perfectly OK. Your baby is not going to know the difference, and it’s none of anyone else’s business what the baby’s room looks like. Just focus on having the essentials in the baby’s room ready…a safe place for the baby to sleep, diapers, clothes, etc. If you’re looking for a list of the essentials, check out this Minimalist Baby Essentials list. 

For first-time moms, I do recommend taking a birth class or looking into getting doula. You can find birth classes through Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Lafayette Lamaze, or Iberia Medical Center if you’re in the New Iberia area.

Looking for more support? Look into hiring a birth doula. A birth doula is a trained professional who can give you continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, and during labor. They can help you figure out your birth preferences, create a birth plan, and practice coping mechanisms to prepare you for labor. Once you’re in labor, they will be there to continuously support you through breathing techniques, position changes, massage, and general encouragement and moral support. 

Enjoying this blog post? Download my free Pregnancy Milestone & Memory Making Guide below — a printable timeline, journal prompts, memory-planning checklists, and encouragement to help you savor every stage of pregnancy.

Birth: The Main Event

The moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here: your sweet baby’s arrival! Whether you’re planning a natural birth or a C-section, this stage is exciting and emotional!

By the time I got to this point, I was so ready…not only to meet my sweet baby girl, but to be able to walk without peeing on myself (TMI??). My girl liked to hang out on my bladder. If you find yourself in the same situation, you’ll want to keep adult diapers close by. Because being soaking wet was nothing out of the ordinary at that point, I thought nothing of it when my water broke! “Oh, I think I peed all over myself again.” No girl! Your water just broke! 

Oh, and I don’t recommend traveling very far from home after about 32 weeks…even if all is going well in your pregnancy. I was in Covington, Louisiana (2.5 hrs from home) when I went into labor. Yep. After crossing the Baton Rouge bridge heading back home, I had to turn around and head to a local hospital because what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions were actually the real deal! 8 hours after arriving in the ER, I had my daughter at 35 weeks. By the grace of God, she was perfectly healthy. 

If you want more birth tips, make sure to check out my blog post all about Birth Beyond the Basics: 10 Secrets for a More Comfortable Delivery.

It may not be something you’ve thought about, but these are moments you’ll always want to remember (even if things don’t go perfectly according to plan). I wish I had known about birth photography when I had my daughter. I wasn’t a South Louisiana Newborn Photographer at the time, but I would have absolutely loved to have those intimate, beautiful moments she entered this world captured. Hiring a birth photographer is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret! 

The 4th Trimester: What No One Tells You | South Louisiana

Surprise! Your journey doesn’t end with birth. The 4th trimester is the first three months of your baby’s life, where both of you are adjusting to the world outside the womb.

This stage can be INTENSE…sleepless nights, your body trying to heal, and hormonal shifts…all while taking care of your precious little one. It’s completely normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed for the first week or two as you’re trying to adjust to this new way of living. However, ongoing anxiety, panic attacks, sadness, or a feeling of disconnection may be an indication of postpartum anxiety or depression. 

I remember when we first arrived back home with our daughter. Most of my immediate family was there to welcome us (being I had her so far from home). Once they left, the wave of anxiety that came over me was debilitating. All the thoughts rushed in…”I don’t know how to do this. What if I’m a terrible mom. I don’t even know how to bathe my baby.” I sat in the tub and just cried uncontrollably. 

But there is hope. If you’re experiencing sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, social withdrawal, etc. after your first few weeks following the delivery, please reach out to your doctor to discuss your options. In Louisiana, there is immediate, 24/7, free and confidential support available to you by calling the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). There is also an initiative by the Louisiana Department of Health called TLC Moms Campaign that offers localized maternal mental health resources, support and care pathways. You can also find local perinatal counseling through The Lafayette Counselor. 

You can find more information HERE on what to expect postpartum, including the best methods for recovery and rest. 

The thing to remember is every journey is unique, and it’s okay to feel a whole range of emotions along the way. As long as you’ve got your support system and resources, you’ll be able to navigate this amazingly crazy adventure.

Since you made it all the way down here – are you looking for a South Louisiana Newborn Photographer? Click here to see more of my portfolio.